FAQ: FAQ

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

Find Your Answers Here

How much does a session cost?

As of 1January 2024, the costs for consultations with our counsellors are as follows: $260 for 90 min couples and $160 for 60 min individual adult sessions. Higher fees apply for consultations with the lead counsellor and for specialist services ($330 for 90 min and $220 for 60 min). If payment is covered by a third party, ALY'S PLACE will arrange suitable payment arrangements and inform you accordingly.

Please note we aren't registered with the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), however you can submit a claim directly with them using the invoice we provide after payment. Please verify therapy support funds with your plan manager before scheduling an appointment.

What payment methods do you offer?

Consultation fees are payable at session end via debit/credit card (Mastercard and Visa), cash, or direct deposit. Automated credit card payment (card on file) incurs a processing fee up to 1.7%. To avoid this fee, pre-pay via bank transfer or with cash. Please request our bank details before attending your appointment.

A $50 late payment fee is charged for outstanding payments beyond 14 days from the appointment date, with an additional $50 for each subsequent week thereafter.

Is there a cancellation policy?

Your appointment time is reserved exclusively for you. Late cancellations or missed visits create a hole in the therapist's schedule that could have been filled by another client. Therefore, we require at least 48 hours' notice for cancellations or rescheduling. Providing less than 48 hours' notice incurs a $60 fee, and for same-day cancellations or no-shows, the full session fee applies.

To cancel or reschedule, please contact the practice directly at 0499 231 178.

Can I receive a Medicare rebate?

Regretfully, no. At this point of time, the Australian Government does not extend the Medicare Rebate Scheme (mental health care plan) to professional counsellors – something we continue to work hard to change.

However please note, our fees are comparable with the average Medicare gap for Psychologists (the difference payable by you between what a provider charges and Medicare covers), and you can usually get an appointment much sooner.

I have a Private Health insurance. Can I receive a rebate?

It is not universally required that counsellors have provider numbers for private health insurers.
Some of our counsellors are registered providers with several Australian Private Health Insurers. These are listed on our counsellor profiles. Depending on your private health insurance policy, you may be eligible to claim counselling services. Take the time before your appointment to check with your fund to ensure Counselling services are covered.

Do you offer concession rates?

If you have a low income Health Care Card or are in a situation of financial hardship, please get in touch to enquire about reduced rate options.

Is this a confidential service?

We take your confidentiality very seriously and operate within the PACFA and the Australian Counselling Association Code of Ethics. We will only break confidentiality in the event that you or someone else is at risk of harm, or we are court-ordered to provide information. Under all circumstances, counsellors would discuss any potential of disclosing your confidential information with you in advance.

How long does therapy take?

The process of therapy is highly individual. Therefore it varies significantly from one person or couple to the next. Individual counselling can help in as few as 1 or 2 sessions or take weeks and months to achieve a therapeutic improvement. In couples counselling, as it involves several people and usually complex interpersonal dynamics, the minimum number of sessions recommended is 10.

What happens in the first session?

Your first session with your counsellor provides you with an opportunity to get to know them a little, and see if you’re the right ‘fit’. For the most part, you can expect that your therapist will listen and demonstrate that they have heard and understood your concerns. Your counsellor will ask questions to gain a broader understanding of the situation and, depending on how you are, get you to complete an assessment. In couples counselling, to be able to see the situation from each person’s perspective, the counsellor will ask you to fill out a few assessment questionnaires after the first session.

What is your approach to counselling?

We use a solution-focused approach in most counselling cases. The solution-focused approach helps clients identify their strengths and personal goals with the aim to find solutions to current and future problems. We see our clients as “experts” in their lives. This means that our job is simply to guide and create an environment where you are able to see how to get to where you want and need to be.

In couples counselling we apply the Gottman Therapy method, one of the most effective and research-based methods of couples counselling. The method focuses on strengthening couple’s friendship, conflict management and creation of shared meaning – the approach also known as the Sound Relationship House Theory.

USEFUL LINKS

The Australian Counselling Association – https://www.theaca.net.au/

Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia – https://www.pacfa.org.au/

The Gottman Institute (The Research Based Approach to Relationships) – https://www.gottman.com/