Q: Where is the Think Mental Health practice?
A: WE HAVE MOVED AS OF 10 July 2023. Please visit us at our new premises Suite 2.2, Deakin Health Hub, 63 Denison Street (across the road from the Mint). See our Contact Us page for a map.
Q: How long is a session with a psychologist or clinical psychologist?
A: A psychologist session is usually 50 minutes to an hour. This may vary a little however, for example a first appointment might be a little longer or a session with a child a little shorter.
Q: How much does an appointment with a psychologist cost?
A: The cost of a psychologist session at Think Mental Health is:
| Psychologist | Clinical Psychologist | |
| Initial appointment | $275 | $325 |
| Subsequent appointment | $255 | $300 |
The fees reflect the highly qualified and experienced practitioners we have at Think while trying to keep the sessions affordable. Lower fees are available for Concession Card Holders (e.g. Pension Card, Disability Support Pension) – please mention you have a Concession Card when making your initial appointment.
Q: Is there a Medicare Rebate available for appointments with a psychologist?
A: If you have been referred to a psychologist or clinical psychologist by a GP under a referral called a ‘Mental Health Care Plan’ (the Better Access to Mental Health Scheme) you are eligible for a rebate from Medicare. For a clinical psychologist this is $141.85 or for a psychologist $96.65.
Please note, without the Mental Health Plan referral an individual is not eligible for a Medicare rebate.
More information about insurance and rebates can be found here.
Q: How long is a session with a psychiatrist?
A: A psychiatrist session will usually range between 30-60 minutes depending on the patient and the clinician. All initial appointments are scheduled for 60 minutes.
Q: How much does an appointment with a psychiatrist cost?
A: The cost of a psychiatrist session at Think Mental Health is:
| Session | |
| Initial session | $655 |
| Subsequent hour appointment | $450 |
| Subsequent 30 min appointment | $330 |
| Assessment | $820 |
The fees reflect the highly qualified and experienced practitioners we have at Think while trying to keep the sessions affordable. Lower fees are available for Concession Card Holders (e.g., Pension Card, Disability Support Pension) – please mention you have a Concession Card when making your initial appointment.
Q: Is there a Medicare Rebate available for appointments with a psychiatrist?
A: If you have been referred to a psychiatrist by a GP or specialist, you are eligible for a rebate from Medicare. Rebate amounts vary depending on the length and type of appointment.
Initial appointment – $255.90
Hour appointment – $180.55
30-minute appointment – $130.85
Assessment – $444.90
Q: How long is a session with a GP?
A: A GP session will usually range between 15-75 minutes depending on how many concerns are being addressed. All initial sessions and mental health care plan appointments will be scheduled for 60 minutes. If you are wanting to discuss more than one concern, please schedule at least a 30-minute appointment.
Q: How much does an appointment with a GP cost?
A: The standard cost of a GP session at Think Mental Health is:
| Session | |
| >15 min appointment | $92 |
| 15-30 min appointment | $250 |
| 30-60 min appointment | $310 |
| 60-75 min appointment | $400 |
Please note that all initial sessions are required to be scheduled for 60 minutes, but may go longer if the Dr requires more time with you. There may be some variability on the price of services depended on content (i.e. Mental Health).
The fees reflect the highly qualified and experienced practitioners we have at Think while trying to keep the sessions affordable. Lower fees are available for Concession Card Holders (e.g. Pension Card, Disability Support Pension) – please mention you have a Concession Card when making your initial appointment.
Q: Is there a Medicare Rebate available for appointments with a GP?
A: GP appointments are eligible for a rebate from Medicare if you have a Medicare Card. Rebate amounts vary depending on the length and type of appointment. The most common rebates for sessions are:
>15 min appointment – $42.85
15-30 min appointment – $82.90
30-60 min appointment – $122.15
60-75 min appointment – $197.90
Please note that an in-person appointment is required at least every 12 months in order to continue to claim Medicare rebates. This includes the initial session. There may be some variability on the rebate of services depended on content (i.e. Mental Health).
Q: Can I claim on my Private Health Insurance?
A: Yes, however, this varies greatly from fund to fund. Please contact your fund directly. We do not have capacity to process private health claim at the practice, you will be required to do this through your health fund. Please note that unless otherwise specified, you cannot claim both Medicare and Private Health for appointments.
Q: Does Think Mental Health offer telehealth (video/phone) appointments?
A: While the preference is for in-person appointments, all clinicians at Think Mental Health are able to provide services via phone or video if required. Initial appointments are highly recommended as in person for psychologist and psychiatrists’ sessions. For initial GP sessions, it is required in person to claim any Medicare rebate for the initial and subsequent sessions.
Please note that no Medicare rebate is available for phone consults with psychiatrists for longer than 30 minutes. If you have an hour appointment scheduled with your psychiatrist, and you require it via telehealth, it will need to be via video.
For video appointments, most clinicians utilise the platform Coviu. Coviu is an Australian (CSRIO) developed program that allows for secure web-based video calls. It does not require you to download any program or app, it is all web based. There are some clinicians who utilise other platforms (Zoom, Skype, Facetime).
Q: Your child has an appointment at Think, what can you expect?
A: The initial appointment is used to develop an understanding of the concerns and worries that are present for your child and to develop an appropriate treatment plan. Typically for the initial appointment we ask that only the parents attend, particularly if the child is under the age of 10, as this will then allow you to have enough time to discuss your concerns fully. If further assessment and treatment is deemed appropriate, we will usually ask the child to be present at the second appointment.
For adolescents, however, it is usual that they attend the initial appointment and that they may prefer to speak alone with the psychologist. It is important that an adolescent is able to express their concerns and worries in a safe and confidential environment. At the end of the initial appointment, you will be provided with feedback and a recommended course of therapy based on evidence-based practice.
Q: Does Think have a specialist in relationship or marriage counselling?
A: Yes. Relationship counselling is an area of special interest for some psychologists or counsellors. Within Think, both Sean Dicks and Ana Diaz have a special interest in working with couples who are struggling to find a way forward. Sean also works with families. Both clinicians endeavour to help couples focus on the patterns within their relationship that are causing difficulties and look at alternate ways to change these patterns.