FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Here’s a quick list of answers to the most frequently asked questions about our counselling services in Melbourne, Australia.
Do I need a referral to see someone at Safe Place Therapy?
No, you do not need a referral. You can book in to see any of our counsellors or therapists as a private client without needing to see a GP or a psychiatrist first. Your session will be charged at the standard rate, and you will be out of pocket for the full cost.
What are your fees?
Please visit our Meet the Team page for a full breakdown of fees for private-paying clients. Clients who are covered under the NDIS are billed at the NDIS-advised rate.
I have a Mental Health Care Plan from my GP – what does this mean?
If you have a Mental Health Care Plan (also known as a Mental Health Treatment Plan), you will be eligible for a Medicare rebate provided you see a Medicare-registered counsellor or therapist.
Medicare offers a rebate of $82.30 if you see a Mental Health Social Worker, and $93.35 for a Psychologist.
In general, you will be entitled to six sessions initially with an MHCP. Once these sessions have been used, you will need to return to your doctor for a review, and if they approve, you will be entitled to a further four sessions, to a total of 10 in a calendar year.
You are required to provide us with your MHCP prior to your appointment. We cannot ‘backdate’ or in any way alter the information on these forms or the information that we provide to Medicare. To save any troubles later, we ask that you forward a copy of your MHCP to us prior to your appointment, either by scanning or taking a photo of each page, and emailing it to admin@safeplacetherapy.com.au, or uploading a copy on our Client Hub.
Please review the ‘Meet the Team’ page for information about each counsellor’s Medicare eligibility. It is your responsibility to make sure you book in with a Medicare-registered clinician, and we will not offer any discount or refund if you book with an ineligible clinician.
Am I able to claim Relationship Counselling with Medicare?
In general, relationship counselling does not qualify for a Medicare rebate. There are a very strict set of circumstances that must be met in order for a rebate to be provided by Medicare. You are welcome to discuss this with your therapist, but please be aware that we are obliged to operate within Medicare’s policy framework. However, you may be able to claim relationship counselling through your private health fund provider.
I’ve used part of my Mental Health Care Plan with another therapist – am I able to come to Safe Place Therapy?
Yes, you are able to use your MHCP provided there are still available sessions on your plan. We do ask that you contact your referring GP or doctor, and have them write a referral to Safe Place Therapy. The referral letter will need to specify the number of sessions you have already used with your Mental Health Care Plan.
How do I get a Mental Health Care Plan?
An MHCP can only be issued by a General Practitioner, Paediatrician, or a Psychiatrist. You will need to make an appointment with one of these medical doctors. When you book in, be sure to explain that it is for a mental health assessment, as these appointments typically last longer than standard consultations.
Your doctor will ask you some questions regarding your mental health and some of the emotions you’ve been experiencing. They will use this information to determine whether you fit the criteria for an MHCP. Your doctor is the only person able to make this decision, and Safe Place Therapy has no say in the matter.
How long does a referral last?
Referrals from a GP last for 12 months from the date of issue. You will need to have attended your first session with Safe Place Therapy prior to the expiry date. If your referral has expired, you will need to return to your GP for another Mental Health Care Plan before booking an appointment with us.
How do I get the Medicare rebate?
At the end of the session, you will be required to pay your invoice in full, and then your therapist will submit the claim to Medicare. You should receive your Medicare rebate into your bank account within 24 to 48 hours.
Do you bulk bill?
Safe Place Therapy is a private mental health practice, and we do not bulk bill. Even with a Mental Health Care Plan, there will still be a gap.
Can I get a rebate through my private health insurance?
Every private health insurance fund and policy is different. In some cases, you may be eligible for a partial rebate through your private health insurance. This is something you will need to discuss with your insurance provider.
Can I claim the gap through my private health insurance?
No, you can only claim your invoice through either Medicare or your private health fund, not both.
What happens if I’ve used up my 10 Medicare sessions?
If you’ve used all your Medicare-rebated sessions for the calendar year, you can still see us at Safe Place Therapy as a private-paying client. You may be able to claim further sessions through your private health fund, although it is best to confirm this with your private health provider directly. You may also be eligible for sessions through government-funded initiatives, like the CAREinMIND program.
How do I use Afterpay with you?
Afterpay can only be used in-clinic for now. We cannot accept online Afterpay payments. You will need to download the Afterpay App and follow the instructions.
How many sessions will I need?
Everybody has a unique journey through therapy, and people come to see us with a broad range of personal histories and goals in mind. For this reason, it’s impossible to say with any certainty just how many sessions are required.
This is something that is discussed within the first session, and revisited throughout your time with us. Your therapist will keep your history and your goals or needs in mind when working with you to devise an appropriate treatment plan. They will help to find a plan that works for you, whether it means have a session every week, every fortnight, or every month.
How long do sessions go for?
Typically, we run sessions for 50 to 55 minutes, with the final five minutes reserved for settling the account, arranging further sessions, and recording session notes.
How do I choose which therapist to see?
You can view all of our therapists’ profiles on our ‘About’ page. These profiles explain which presenting issues each counsellor works with and their approach to therapy. Alternatively, you can call our intake team on 03 7049 4970 and discuss with them who the most suitable counsellor is based on your needs.
Are my sessions confidential?
Yes. We are bound by a strict code of ethics and privacy laws to maintain confidentiality over anything that is discussed as part of your therapy sessions. There are some exceptions to this, and in a limited set of circumstances, we are required by law to break confidentiality. This can include but is not limited situations where we strongly believe you will be a danger to yourself or to others, or when ordered to break confidentiality by a court.
You may view our Privacy Policy here, and our obligations with regards to your confidentiality will be discussed with you in your first session.
What is your cancellation policy?
We have a strict 2-business day cancellation policy. Any cancellation or rescheduling requests must be received by SPT Admin before 9am on the morning that the cancellation policy takes effect. A fee equivalent to the full session fee will be charged if cancelling or rescheduling within 2-business days of an appointment. You may view our Cancellation Policy in full here.
Do you see Workcover and TAC clients?
Safe Place Therapy will see Workcover and TAC clients, however, not all of our clinicians are registered to work with these agencies. You will be required to settle your account in full on the day of your appointment, and claim it back through Workcover or TAC yourself. It is best to contact us on 03 7049 4970 and discuss this with our intake team so they can help find the right therapist for you.
Do you write letters of support or reports?
Yes, we write letters of support and reports. There may be fees associated with writing these documents, and payment is required in full prior to their release. You may discuss this with your therapist or our Admin team if you’d like further information.
Do you provide assessments or diagnoses?
No, we do not provide cognitive or personality assessments or IQ tests, and we do not provide diagnoses for autism, ADHD, or other neurocognitive conditions or personality disorders.
