Welcome! The following is an explanation of services found at Side by Side Psychology a psychology practice in Mildura, Victoria.
Kate French, Clinical Psychologist
As a Clinical Psychologist I have 6 years of university training and am fully registered by the Australian Psychologist’s Registration Board, and a Member of the Australian Psychological Society and their Clinical College.
I regularly undertake professional development, provide supervision and also take part in peer supervision with other experienced psychologists and therapists. My area of expertise is in the treatment of mental health disorders and interpersonal difficulties with a particular focus on working with people who have Autism Spectrum Disorders and what was known as Asperger’s Syndrome.
The types of work I typically do with families, children and young people include: parenting and behavioural interventions, emotion management, skill development (anger/anxiety), social skill/thinking development, diagnostic assessments and adaptive assessments. This occurs mostly in the clinic setting although school visits and home visits can occur by negotiation.
Diagnostic assessments to determine whether Autism is present for an individual can occur, usually following a referral from a Paediatrician or Psychiatrist. The assessment sessions are charged as a package with fees payable at session and at completion of the report.
Consent / Release Form
You need to consent to the provision of a psychological service for yourself or on the behalf of your child. Please read and complete the consent and release forms.
The Registration Form & Consent for Psychological Service provides your details and permission for you or your child to be assessed and or undergo therapy.
The Permission to Consult / Release Information is needed in the event that you or your child’s case requires liaison with any third parties. Written consent for such liaison is essential. This will be discussed with you if third party liaison (such as with a school, doctor, or other person) is indicated.
A seperate Service Agreement will also need to be completed for National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) funded clients. This practice is choosing to operate as a Non-Registered Provider and can only service clients whom have chosen to be Self Managed or Plan Managed.
Collection of Information
As part of providing a psychological service to you or your child, I will collect and record personal information that is relevant to you or your child’s current situation. This information will be a necessary part of the psychological assessment or treatment. You may view and/or have a summary of the non-copyrighted material recorded in you or your child’s file upon written request. If the child is an adolescent and is being seen independently, they may view and/or have a summary of the non-copyrighted material recorded in their file upon written request.
Confidentiality
All personal information gathered during the provision of the psychological service will remain confidential and secure except when:
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It is subpoenaed by a court of law, or
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Failure to disclose the information would place the child or another person at risk of harm; or
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Your prior written consent has been obtained to provide or receive information from another professional or agency, such as your child’s school, GP, paediatrician, legal representative, or relevant government department.
Appointments
Appointments must be made in advance and can be made online if you are a current client. Ongoing appointments can be made via the website: www.sidebysidepsychology.com.au under the heading Therapy, then Online Bookings.
A standard consultation is over 50 minutes (with 10 minutes case-noting time). It is important that you arrive on time for your appointment. Late arrival will result in reduced time for your session, however, the full session fee will still be charged. If you are present for less than session time a reduced rebate (if eligible) will also apply. The session will also conclude at the agreed time to prevent waiting for the following clients. This also applies for Telehealth sessions.
Cancellation Policy
Cancelling an appointment may have a cancellation fee attached if a cancelled appointment cannot be filled. Administration staff make every attempt to fill these appointments.
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If 0-24 hours notice is given the full session fee will be charged plus GST
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If between 24 and 48 hours notice is given, 50% of the session fee will be charged, plus GST
The fees are to discourage late cancellations or 'no shows' as much as is possible. Side by Side Psychology wishes to service families as best as is possible and when there are missed appointments this is a disservice to other families who are waiting for an appointment time. Emergencies and sickness occur, however as much notice as possible, is hugely appreciated.
An opportunity to do a phone call or video-call session may be offered in lieu of your attendance at the office, if circumstances allow it (with the client or caregiver), so that the session can be utilised. Medicare rebates are generally unavailable for this type of appointment unless the client resides in a region identified as being eligible for Telehealth services. NDIS sessions can be delivered flexibly with agreement from the client.
Text message reminders will be sent 3 days prior to your appointment-they don’t require a response. However attendance to your booked time is your responsibility and even if a reminder is not received, this does not diminish responsibility for you to record and attend the appointment time. Some funding bodies are able to pay late cancellation/did not attend fees but Medicare rebates are not available if you do not attend.
Cost of Service
The recommended fee, set by The Australian Psychological Society, for a standard 50 minute consultation with a clinical psychologist is $260.00. However a psychologist is able to alter this fee to their own discretion. Regular individual and family sessions are $210 until 30th June 2021, with Initial Consults $230. You or your child may be eligible for rebates or funding depending upon the referral you have been provided or your Private Health Insurance or other funding available.
Kate French is a registered Clinical Psychologist under Medicare. Adults and children referred under a GP Mental Health Care Plan, or from a Psychiatrist and may receive up to 10 sessions per year which are eligible for a partial rebate by Medicare. Under the rules of Medicare you pay the full fee at the time of consultation and then take your receipt to a Medicare office to receive your rebate or the use the HICAPS machine on site. Although 10 sessions per year attract a rebate, it is very likely that sessions in addition to this number will be required for effective treatment of most mental health conditions and planning for this is recommended. It is also your responsibility to have a current referral in place (a re-referral from your GP is usually required after the first 6 sessions).
Under the ‘Helping Children with Autism’ initiative assessment and therapy for Pervasive Developmental Disorders, including Autism Spectrum Disorders attract a Medicare rebate for 4 assessment and 20 interventions sessions across the lifetime. A referral from your Paediatrician is required for these rebates.
Please note:
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Payment is required at time of the psychology service or paid via direct debit (details will be on the invoice)
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Written reports cannot be released until the appropriate fee has been paid in full.
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An invoice will be issued for all charged services. A psychological consultation does not attract GST, but a Late Notice and a Did Not Attend Fee does.
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Services not relating to health related intervention such as Supervision are subject to GST.
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Issues pertaining to Family Court orders need to be discussed prior to engagement with psychologist as this practice does not complete Family Court Reports or Child Assessments for Family Court.