FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits of psychology support?

Psychology can help you better understand yourself, improve emotional resilience, strengthen relationships, manage stress, reduce anxiety or low mood, and build healthier long-term coping strategies. Early support is often linked to better outcomes, helping reduce the impact of mental health challenges before they become more overwhelming.

Psychology isn’t only for crisis situations; our clients use psychology to improve confidence, communication, mood, work performance, relationships, emotional balance, and overall quality of life.

Do I need a referral?

No.

A referral is only needed if you want to access Medicare rebates. Follow our free guide to a valid Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) and referral.

Many clients choose to begin support immediately without waiting for paperwork, while others organise a referral to reduce out-of-pocket costs. Medicare safety net applies to individuals, couples and families, and gap fee estimates range from 23-129.

How many sessions will I need?

It depends.

The number of sessions varies from person to person depending on your goals, circumstances, and the type of support you’re seeking. Some people benefit from short-term focus on a specific issue, while others prefer longer-term support to create a more meaningful life and resolve deeply held maladaptive beliefs.

If you have a restriction for a specific number of sessions, you can let us know. Your psychologist will be honest about what’s realistic to achieve in that time and help you to get the most out of your sessions together.

Your psychologist will work collaboratively with you to track your progress with DASS21 and our SMARTER goal approach. Together, you’ll create and review a plan that feels realistic and tailored to your circumstances.

Is it confidential?

Absolutely, yes!

Confidentiality is at the core of Everyone Psychology CARES. Your sessions, records, and personal information are handled securely and in line with Australian privacy legislation and professional standards. Everyone Psychology will NEVER ask you to consent to AI recording of your session to create your case notes.

The only exceptions to confidentiality are the same as any legal or healthcare setting, such as if you threaten to harm another person or we receive a subpoena – exceptions are outlined clearly in our Privacy policies (you’ll see and read this before your session, and before any payment is requested) and your psychologist will also discuss exceptions with you during your first session.

How does online coaching or therapy work?

Essentially, it’s the same as face-to-face.

At Everyone Psychology we only provide services known to be as effective when delivered via video, as they would be delivered face-to-face. You’ll also receive access to the same resources, you’ll just need to print them yourself or do them on a device. The cost of face-to-face services includes expenses such as leasing office space. We pass on our savings to you, and it helps to keep our sessions more affordable.

A psychologist can offer coaching, skill building, debriefing, therapy, treatment or support.

Many clients find online psychology less hassle and easier to attend consistently, which often leads to faster or more quality improvement over time.

Still confused? Discovery calls are FREE. Discovery calls are an informal chat between you and our founding psychologist, Andi. No therapy or advice is provided, so you can use a pseudonym. Discovery calls are a phone or video meet and greet, to ask questions if you can’t find the answers on our website.

How much is it?

Everyone Psychology offers transparent pricin g (click here) for our sessions, with amounts varying depending on session type and timing. Standard business-hours (AEST) sessions are more affordable than after-hours or weekends, and eligible Medicare rebates under the Medicare safety net can significantly reduce gap fees.

We offer no gap, direct third-party billing for: NDIS (self-managed and plan-managed participants), EAP, TAC, WorkSafe VIC, Workcover QLD.

Is it tax deductible?

Sometimes.

In some situations, psychology or coaching services may be tax deductible, particularly where sessions relate to workplace performance, professional development, or approved business coaching. Medicare-funded psychology treatment is generally considered a personal medical expense and not tax deductible. Everyone’s circumstances are different, so it’s best to speak with your accountant or financial adviser about this.

When do I pay?

Usually, during or after your session.

No payment is collected during booking. Payment method is required during booking, but any personal credit card information can be removed after third-party billing is confirmed by your provider.

For your first session, payment is made 24-48 hours in advance to ensure payment information/Medicare details can be checked ahead of time. Medicare rebates are processed automatically at the end of your session, with most clients receiving rebates back within a few business days.

For ongoing clients, payments are processed securely online through encrypted payment systems (Halaxy, BPAY, bank transfer, etc) at the start of your sessions.

Learn more about pricing, rebate estimates, and cancellation policies here.

How long is the session?

Session times vary from 25-55 minutes, and will commence within 1-4 minutes of the booking start time.

Most standard sessions are 45-51 minutes of your time, within a 60-minute consultation window. This structure allows time for meaningful psychological intervention, while also ensuring your psychologist can meet ethical and legal obligations such as writing notes, care planning, and follow-up recommendations or communications with other supports, like your GP.

Longer or specialised sessions may also be available depending on your goals and support needs. For example, trauma-processing approaches (e.g. EMDR) are recommended to be booked for 90-120 minute consultations.

What should I do before the first session?

You don’t need to do anything other than book online and show up to your online meeting.
BUT if you want to feel prepared, let it FLOW: Funding, Location, Online booking, Why.

Funding

Identify your funding: organise your third-party paperwork, talk to your accountant, or get a referral (follow our free guide).

Location

Where do you want to be sitting when you join the online meeting? We recommend you choose somewhere you feel safe, calm, quiet, and easy to use a pen or device to write some notes or answers to your questions. Sessions take place securely via video, allowing you to connect from the comfort and privacy of your own space; take advantage and find a space that’s most suited to you.

Online booking

You can follow our free screenshot guide to booking online. To confirm your booking, you’ll be directed to complete our secure online consent portal. It’s essentially a digital version of what you usually complete with a pen and paper in a reception area. You’ll read our consent and privacy policies, and provide funding information. Once complete, you’ll receive email confirmation of your booking, and a link to the online meeting room. You’ll get email and text reminders in the days leading up to your session.

Why

At some point your psychologist will probably ask you ‘why’ you have come to see us. This is probably a complicated question for you to answer, and that’s ok.

If you feel nervous the day before, or when you’re waiting for the meeting to start, use that time to think about your goals or how you want your life to change for the better. Sometimes this is called the ‘miracle’ or ‘magic wand’ question: ‘if you were given a magic wand, and whatever brought you here gets magically fixed, what does that look like? How would your life be different? Would you think different, or feel different or act differently?

What should I expect for the first session?

Try to relax, and let us guide you through the process 💚💛

Many clients arrive feeling unsure, overwhelmed, or nervous, and that’s completely normal! The first session is about creating a safe, supportive foundation and helping you to understand, and feel comfortable with the process.

Your first session includes time to discuss any concerns you have about confidentiality, exceptions to confidentiality, or worries about the process.

Sometimes an ‘initial’ session will take two or three sessions to complete, if your history is complex or if you have several long-term goals. Your initial session/s is focused on understanding your history and goals.

Initial sessions are different to ongoing sessions with your psychologist. Initial sessions can sometimes mean a lot of questions, and this is sometimes why your psychologist will space them out over a few sessions. It’s supposed to feel like a conversation rather than a Q&A, and that can sometimes be a difficult balance. Your psychologist will do their best to help you feel comfortable, and you can interrupt or ask to change the conversation any time.

If you are open to it, your psychologist will ask questions to explore what’s bringing you to coaching or therapy, and explore your history, relationships, well-being goals, and work collaboratively to understand what support you’re seeking. Don’t try to have everything figured out beforehand; we can work it out together.

At the end of your first or initial session/s, your psychologist will provide you with a tailored plan for what things will look like going forward. The plan might be general or specific, they might suggest a specific therapy or provide an explanation of how your goals can be tracked and reached. You’ll collaborate with your psychologist on how often you’d be attending sessions, your preferences for between session communications and action plans (‘therapy homework’), and any other style or approach preferences (like whether you’d prefer an exploratory or a direct conversation style).

What’s the difference between a psychiatrist, psychologist, or counsellor?

Both Psychiatrists and Psychologists are registered AHPRA healthcare providers, counsellors are not.

Psychiatrists are medical doctors who are also trained in psychology, and who can diagnose mental health conditions, prescribe medication, and provide medical treatment.

Psychologists are highly trained mental health professionals who use evidence-based approaches to help people improve emotional well-being, behaviour, relationships, change daily habits (like sleep or smoking) and coping strategies.

Many people work with both a psychologist and psychiatrist together when medication and therapy are part of a broader treatment plan.

Counsellors often provide supportive talk therapy and guidance, but training and quality can vary. Depending on your circumstances, a nurse trained in mental health, or a mental health social worker (MHSW), might be just as helpful as a counsellor.

If you have tried a mental health nurse, counsellor or MHSW in the past, and their support didn’t help, it’s likely that your challenges are more complex and require a psychologist and/or psychiatrist for support.

^{Find a psychologist to get help with}^{Life Coach | Stress | Anxiety | Depression | EAP | Sleep | Resume and Interview skills | Career coach | Executive and Entrepreneur coach | WorkCover WorkSafe RTW | WH&S | NDIS | Couples ENM Family counselling | Parenting coach | Trauma Recovery and PTSD | DV/FV/CC Recovery | Pregnancy counselling | Forced Adoption counselling | Post-partum Depression and Anxiety | Chronic Illness | Palliative Care | Grief | Allied Health coaching | Psychologist Case Conferencing and Peer Consultation with Everyone Psychology.}