Frequently Asked Questions

Here to help you feel comfortable and confident about starting therapy :)

What happens at the first session?

It’s normal to feel a little nervous, worried, or overwhelmed before your first appointment - but we promise there is nothing to worry about. This session is for you to have an opportunity to tell your story, and to have someone be present with you to hear and hold space for your thoughts, feelings and experiences. If you are worried about not knowing where to start or what to say, please don't feel overwhelmed - your psychologist is trained in guiding the conversation to get an insight into your world. We will meet you at your pace as we get to know each other and discover together more about what has brought you into therapy. It's very important that you feel Tender Studio is a good match for you, so we welcome questions and feedback to ensure there is an alignment in values - you may wish to use the first few sessions to gauge how you feel about working with us for a while. We encourage you to ask yourself some reflective questions - do you feel safe, comfortable, and validated? Therapy is hard work and a good psychologist will gently challenge you and help you identify maladaptive patterns, whilst also ensuring you feel seen and heard - because your experience is important. At the start of the session, we'll introduce ourselves and discuss the consent and confidentiality forms that were sent to you when you booked the appointment. We'll then talk a little bit about what has brought you to Tender Studio, as well as a little bit about what has made you who you are together. At the end of the first session, we will chat about what we think might be going on and a plan for how we can work together. We'll also go through any admin that needs to be done such as booking additional appointments before finishing up. Often people attend on a weekly or fortnightly basis to start off with, gradually reducing the frequency of their sessions as they improve. If you feel that Tender Studio is a good fit for you after your first session, we recommend booking a series of appointments to ensure you are able to consistently work towards reaching your goals. You'll be surprised by how quickly the first session goes!

How many sessions will I need?

I wish there were a succinct answer to this question, but I would be a crappy psychologist if I made a promise regarding length of therapy. You are a human being - a soul, not a machine that needs to be fixed and sent back out into the world. Most people begin therapy hoping it will take a few months and find there is more they want to explore and understand about themselves and their lives.

The amount of sessions you need will depend entirely on your individual circumstances. You will likely get a sense of what regularity works for you. Therapy can be most effective when it is regular and consistent, particularly when you first begin the process. Typically, sessions can occur weekly or fortnightly to start with, and then decrease in frequency as you work through your concerns; however, this is flexible. You and your psychologist will assess your needs and situation, and decide together on what will work best for you.

How long will my session be?

All sessions are 50 minutes unless stated otherwise, set aside exclusively for you.

Do you see clients on NDIS?

Yes! We provide psychology services for both Plan Managed and Self Managed participants, offering professional mental health support tailored to each client's NDIS plan. We are dedicated to providing psychological support aimed at enhancing overall well-being, mood, self-esteem, and daily living skills, as well as aiding in achieving performance goals, fostering healthy relationships, and increasing life satisfaction. We are passionate about helping clients fulfil their NDIS objectives.

Do you offer emergency appointments?

Unfortunately, Tender Studio is not a crisis centre. This means that we do not offer emergency appointments. If you or a loved one is in crisis, please contact emergency services on Triple Zero (000) or go to your closest emergency department.

If you require advice about whether or not you should contact emergency services, call the NSW Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511. The Mental Health Line is free to call and is available 24/7.

Are there any services that you don't provide?

Tender Studio is not registered to provide psychological services for claims under Workers Compensation or the DVA scheme, nor is able to work with clients who require mandated counselling (such as those on parole or probation).

We do not provide ongoing emergency or crisis management. If you are experiencing an acute crisis and feel you are unable to keep yourself self, please contact Triple Zero (000) or go to your closest emergency department. Tender Studio does not currently provide psychological reports for court, legal, or insurance purposes.

Finally, Tender Studio does not currently provide couples counselling - we do, however, work with individuals in order to improve their relationships.

How deep will I have to go?

We see therapy as a mutual relationship - together, we will make decisions about the therapeutic process based on your preferred pace and our clinical understanding of what you need. If you're worried about delving too deep, we won't push you - because that's not effective - but there may be times where we will give you a gentle nudge.

Can I still get therapy if I'm not a Christian?

Yes! The primary purpose of Tender Studio is to provide the best psychological therapy to everyone in our local community - regardless of their age, gender, cultural background, beliefs, or life journey. It is important to note that some people prefer seeing a psychologist that aligns with and understands their faith, such as a Christian psychologist.

However, all psychologists are bound by a code of ethics that ensures they remain impartial and non-judgmental of all patients regardless of their beliefs. Clients of any religious background can be assured that they will be treated respectfully and receive the same high quality of care. Tender Studio will not discuss anything associated with the Christian faith unless our clients invite it or take the first step.

Do I need a referral to come to Tender Studio?

You do not need a referral to make and attend an appointment.

However, without a referral under a Mental Health Care Plan from your GP or Psychiatrist, you will be responsible for paying the full fee for each consultation, without receiving a Medicare rebate of $96.65. You are able to claim a Medicare rebate for up to 10 sessions per calendar year.

So, whilst you don't require a Mental Health Care Plan to receive psychological treatment, it does turn out to be cheaper for you in the long run.

What if my referral has another psychologists name on it?

If you decide you'd prefer to attend Tender Studio rather than the psychologist your GP has written on the referral, you don't need to return to your GP - Medicare allows us to accept referrals addressed to other psychologists. Once you have attended your first session, your psychologist will notify your GP that you have commenced treatment with us.

How much is the Medicare rebate?

If you have a Mental Health Care Plan in place, effective as of 1st July 2024 the Medicare rebate for a standard 50-minute psychology session is $96.65. The number of rebated sessions you are eligible for is determined in consultation with your referring practitioner, up to a maximum of 10 sessions per calendar year for 2024.

How do I obtain a Medicare rebate?

Just head to your local GP and let them know you'd like to see a psychologist. Easy!

How do I claim the rebate?

For your ease, Tender Studio Psychology is able to automatically process Medicare rebates for free using our secure practice management software, Halaxy, with Medicare paying the rebate into your account within 2 days. This means that you do not have to go to the trouble of processing your Medicare rebate claim yourself. If you would like Tender Studio Psychology to submit your claims for each session, please ensure your Medicare card details and bank details are submitted.

Can I still get a rebate for telehealth sessions?

Absolutely! If you have a Mental Health Care Plan and a referral from your GP, the same fees and rebate apply as face to face sessions.

Can I get the Medicare rebate if I am charged the cancellation fee?

Unfortunately, Medicare does not cover cancellation fees. This means that you will need to pay the rebate amount as well as the gap.

Help, I still don't understand!

No worries! The Medicare and rebate system is complex and can be difficult to wrap your head around. We're happy to help with any questions at all - just shoot an email through to hello@tenderstudiopsychology.com.au.

Is everything I share in sessions confidential?

Everything you share during psychological treatment is kept confidential and cannot be disclosed without your consent. Confidentiality and limits to confidentiality are discussed at your first session and regularly throughout to ensure your full understanding. All personal information gathered by Tender Studio remains confidential, other than in specific circumstances listed below. Other than the specific limits of confidentiality listed below, all personal information gathered by the psychologist during the provision of the psychological service will remain confidential. Limits of confidentiality - Your information may not be confidential, if: 1. It is subpoenaed by a court; or 2. Failure to disclose the information would place you or another person at serious risk to life, health or safety; or 3. You indicate an intention to commit a serious crime; or 4. Consulting with other colleagues in order to provide you with the best psychological service, such as in the course of supervision, ensuring your identity is concealed and privacy preserved; or 5. You are on a Mental Health Treatment Plan, referred by your GP, in which case the Medicare reporting requirements are that Tender Studio Psychology write to your GP after 6, 10 and 20 sessions, and/or at the conclusion of treatment; or 6. Your prior approval has been obtained to: a) Provide a written report to another professional or agency, such as a GP or lawyer; or b) Discuss the information with another person, such as a parent, employer, or health provider; or c) Disclose the information in another way. We will seek your consent before we share information with any other health services, community agencies, family members and/or friends. Your personal information will not be used, sold, rented or disclosed for any other purpose.

How is my information stored?

Tender Studio Psychology prides itself on being a paper-free practice. As such, we use an online practice management software called Halaxy to store your client file (including personalised information, payment details, and session notes). This software is encrypted and equivalent to bank grade security. Tender Studio Psychology values the efficiency that this software provides, as it allows your practitioner to dedicate more time to therapy than they otherwise would be able to with paper files. For more information on Halaxy’s security, please refer to Halaxy’s security policy.

As part of providing a psychological service to you, Tender Studio Psychology needs to collect and record personal information from you that is relevant to your situation, such as your name, contact information, medical history, and other relevant information. This collection of personal information is a necessary part of the psychological assessment and treatment that is conducted in order to provide a relevant and informed psychological service to you. Your personal information is kept securely and, in the interests of your privacy, used only by your psychologist. You are entitled to access your personal information kept on file, unless relevant legislation states otherwise. If you require access to your information, please discuss this with your psychologist.

Tender Studio Psychology is required by law to store client information for a minimum of 7 years since the last occasion on which the client was provided a service. If the client was under 18 years of age at this last occasion, their information is stored at least until the client reaches 25 years of age.

What if I see my psychologist outside of therapy?

The psychologist/s at Tender Studio Psychology may live in the local area. Due to professional ethics, Tender Studio Psychology do not connect via social media or personally with clients outside of their professional role. In situations in which you may encounter Tender Studio Psychology in the community, the psychologist/s will respect your privacy and not greet you personally, but will be polite and respectful, interacting in a manner appropriate to the situation. This encounter can then be discussed in the next session.

How much does each session cost?

At Tender Studio, our fees are $220 per session. If you are eligible for a referral from your GP, you are able to obtain a Medicare rebate of $96.65, making your out of pocket cost $123.35.

As of 1st July 2024, the Australian Psychological Society’s (APS) recommended fee for Psychological Therapy is $315 per 50 minute session

How do I pay for my session?

Tender Studio Psychology accepts two methods of payment: direct bank deposit or automatic debit of funds via Halaxy using the card details you have provided.

If you prefer to pay via direct bank deposit, you will be emailed an invoice and be expected to pay within 24 hours. Card details are required to be stored via Halaxy, and if payment has not been received, your card will be processed automatically.

If you prefer for your fee payments to be automatically debited via Halaxy at the time of your appointment, you can focus your entire appointment on treatment. When payment is processed you can receive a confirmation email, in addition to the invoice from your psychologist. By selecting this option, you consent to paying any Halaxy payment processing fees (maximum cost 2% + $1 per transaction) applicable to your service.

What if I need to cancel my appointment?

Occasionally there are good reasons for cancellations. However, unlike brief medical appointments, it is nearly impossible to fill a 50-minute session with short notice. Furthermore, we also dedicate significant time and care to session planning and preparation and there are substantial overhead costs associated with providing you with these services.

If you need to cancel your appointment, please email hello@tenderstudiopsychology.com.au. We ask that you provide two business days notice for cancellation of an appointment to avoid paying a fee.

Cancellations made less than two business days before your appointment time are charged at half of the session fee. Cancellations made one business day or less of the appointment time, or if you fail to attend your appointment, will be charged at the full session fee. You can read more on our fees page.

Please note that if you cancel your Monday appointment on a Friday or over the weekend, this does not allow us sufficient business hours to offer the vacant slot to another client on our waiting list. As such, if you have an appointment scheduled for 10am on a Monday for example, we kindly ask that you cancel by 10am the previous Thursday to avoid any fees.

Cancellation fees are charged to ensure Tender Studio Psychology can continue to operate as a small business. Frequent cancellations/rescheduling or non-attendances may mean this is not the right time for you to be able to commit to the process. This may be discussed, and you may be asked to give yourself a break and return at a better time.

Please note that, as per Medicare policy, cancellations are unable to be claimed from Medicare.

What if I can't afford to pay the full fee?

Tender Studio Psychology are able to provide a significant Medicare rebate, as well as private health fund rebates. Please talk to us about this to see if you are eligible or if you would like more information. You can read about this on our fees page.

Wait, what is telehealth?

Telehealth services refers to services including video or phone call. It is an effective alternative to regular face-to-face consultations and can be helpful to ensure continuity of care at times when the provision of therapy by regular means is disrupted. It is important to note, however, that telehealth may be experienced somewhat differently than face-to-face sessions due to the nature of technology used, despite having the same purpose and intention as face-to-face sessions. Phone and video conferencing generally limits the amount of non-verbal information exchanged between the psychologist and clients and as a result, there is greater potential for misinterpretation. In addition, there may be some circumstances and services for which telehealth is not appropriate or effective. Tender Studio will consider and discuss with you the appropriateness of ongoing telehealth sessions. Video calls are the preferred mode of delivery for Tender Studio Psychology as this most resembles face-to-face therapy. Once a telehealth session is scheduled, Tender Studio Psychology will email and text you a secure link to access the session. When the link is clicked, you will be able to connect to your telehealth session via the telehealth platform, Zoom.

What if there are technical disruptions?

Telehealth sessions may be subject to limitations such as an unstable network connection which may affect the quality or disrupt the psychology session in some way.

In the event of technical difficulties or disruptions, your psychologist will call you on your nominated telephone number to discuss how to proceed with the session. If reconnection to the video session is not possible, it is likely that the rest of the session will be conducted via phone.

Are the fees and rebates for telehealth the same as in person?

Yes! Find out all about our fees on our Sessions & Fees page.

How do I pay for telehealth sessions?

Credit card details will be requested from you at the time of making your appointment. These details are securely stored in our practice management software, Halaxy. More information on Halaxy card security is provided here. Payment for the full consultation fee will automatically be processed electronically via Halaxy at the end of your appointment. At the same time, your Medicare rebate (if applicable) will be claimed and Medicare will deposit the corresponding rebate into your nominated bank account.

How is privacy maintained via telehealth?

The privacy of any form of communication via the internet is potentially vulnerable and limited by the security of the technology used. To support the security of your personal information, Tender Studio Psychology uses Halaxy which is compliant with the Australian standards for online security and encryption. Clients are responsible for understanding the potential risks of confidentiality being breached through unencrypted email, in transit by hackers or internet service providers, lack of password protection or leaving information on a public access computer.

Can I record my session?

Telehealth sessions cannot be recorded by the psychologist or the client to ensure confidentiality is maintained. Tender Studio Psychology will not make video or audio recordings of telehealth sessions and asks those participating to agree not to make such recordings of telehealth sessions and not to use materials from the sessions for purposes other than therapy (e.g. posting any portion of said sessions on internet websites such as Facebook or YouTube is not permitted).

Frequently Asked Questions

Here to help you feel comfortable and confident about starting therapy :)

TENDER STUDIO PSYCHOLOGY hello@tenderstudiopsychology.com.au Phone: 0413 020 939 Fax: 02 8016 0853 5/347 Port Hacking Road Caringbah NSW 2229 Australia IN PERSON & ONLINE © 2024 | Privacy Policy

TENDER STUDIO PSYCHOLOGY

hello@tenderstudiopsychology.com.au
Phone: 0413 020 939
Fax: 02 8016 0853
5/347 Port Hacking Road
Caringbah NSW 2229 Australia
IN PERSON & ONLINE
© 2024 | Privacy Policy