It is perfectly normal to feel a little anxious at your first appointment. This may be the first time you have spoken with a professional about your concerns. You may also feel quite relieved that you are finally doing something about your problems. 

When you arrive you will be greeted by reception and asked to read and sign a consent form, which has information about our services, fees and record keeping. You will also be asked to complete a short questionnaire which asks questions related to depression, anxiety and stress.

The Psychologist will meet you in reception and take you into one of our consultation rooms. If you are bringing your child/ children, the Psychologist may ask to speak with you first before meeting with your son or daughter. 

The first session with a Psychologist is simply an opportunity to build a relationship together and talk about what your concerns are. It is important that you feel comfortable and that you can trust your clinician. The Psychologist may ask certain questions so they ensure they have a good understanding of what’s going on for you. Formal assessments may be carried out if necessary and your Psychologist may then share a treatment plan with you if appropriate. A treatment plan is a structured plan of what intervention and strategies the Psychologist believes would be helpful to you to address your concerns. 

At the end of your session, you will discuss with your Psychologist how often appointments should be and  then book further sessions in with reception. Reception will also process your Medicare rebate for you on the spot, so you don’t need to go to Medicare.