Telehealth Services
What is Telehealth?
Telehealth Psychology is a form of therapy using technology to conduct sessions on your computer or phone so that you can talk to your psychologist without having to come in to the clinic. Most of our services and therapeutic approaches still apply to telehealth.
Benefits of Telehealth Psychology
Secure & Confidential
At Psych With You, we provide secure and confidential telehealth services to give you peace of mind. For our video sessions, we use a secure internet-based platform with the highest security standards. With Telehealth Psychology, expect the same level of confidentiality you would with face-to-face sessions.
Accessible
Telehealth Psychology is convenient and easily accessible from the comfort of your own home, no matter where you are in the world. It is basically like having a Psychologist coming over your home or office to see you.
Effective
Research have shown that Telehealth Psychology is as effective, if not more, when compared with traditional face-to-face therapy. A number of studies have also suggested that some people engage better in telehealth sessions due to feeling more comfortable and less anxious when compared to face-to-face appts.
Who is Telehealth suitable for?
Telehealth Psychology is likely suitable for you if:
- You find it difficult to find therapists in your local area.
- You find it difficult to come to our office for various reasons such as transport problems, mobility issues, anxiety leaving the home, or anxiety with face-to-face appointments.
- You travel regularly, work long hours or do shift work, and are restricted by your time schedule, often requiring sessions at varying hours.
- You are required to isolate at home due to COVID-19.
- You live in a rural/remote location.
- You are parents of young children therefore it is inconvenient to attend appointments face-to-face.
- You prefer the confidentiality and privacy of accessing online services from the comfort of your own home.
Telehealth Psychology is NOT for you if:
- You currently require a high level of care and support.
- You are currently struggling with acute mental health issues or you are in a crisis situation.
- You are currently significantly medically compromised.
- You do not have access to the internet, computer, or telephone.
Tips to Prepare
1) Find your favourite spot in your house (office or whereever you are) that is comfortable, quiet, feels safe and confidential, so you will be free from interurptions or disruptions for the duration of your session.
2) Try to find a chair that is comfortable and will allow you to feel relaxed. Have your phone or computer at the most suitable distance from you so that you can stay focused. Use a tripod or something else to keep your device steady.
3) Consider testing your microphone, sound settings, and the video link prior to the session to troubleshoot any issues. Headphones could be used to block out any potential background noises.
4) Limit any distractions or interruptions around you. Turn off your phone's notifications, shut down any other devices, programs or apps that may disturb you.
5) Prepare yourself a cup of tea or your favourite beverage. Have things around you that can help soothe you and make you feel safe, such as cushions, candles, etc.
6) Have a think about what you want to focus on in the session and your therapeutic goals.
7) If there are any technical issues please give us a call. We can always change the appt to a phone consult if the video link isn't working
- The first step is to complete our New Client form. Your details are required for us to register you in our system. Please go to our New Client page or click the “Book Now” button.
- Once we receive your details, we will contact you as soon as we can to organise an appointment for you. If we are unable to reach you, we will leave you a voice message and an email. Please either give us a call back or reply to our email.
- When an appointment has been confirmed, we will email you all the intake forms that are required to be completed prior to your session. Please complete and return them to us along with a copy of your Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) & Referral ASAP prior to your appointment if you wish to claim Medicare Rebates.
- Intake forms must be completed and returned to us at least 48hrs prior to the session otherwise the appointment needs to be cancelled and rescheduled.
- If you do not send us your MHCP & Referral prior to attending your appointment, you will not be able to claim Medicare rebates for the session.
- After we have received all of the required intake forms plus your MHCP & Referral if applicable, we will send you an email confirmation of your scheduled appointment along with a video link to access your telehealth session 48hrs prior to your appointment. Another email with your video link will also be sent out to you 24hrs prior to your appointment. If you are choosing Phone Consult instead, a SMS text message will be sent to you instead.
- Full payment is required and will be deducted from your choice of payment option on the day of the appointment prior to commencement of the session.
- Any questions please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Medicare Rebates for Telehealth Services
If you have a current and valid Mental Health Care Plan & Referral from your Doctor or health professional, you are eligible to claim Medicare Rebates for your Telehealth sessions.
- Although the preferred mode of telehealth to be used is video, you may choose to use phone consult if you do not have the technology or if you just personally prefer telephone.
- If you already accessed services under your current Mental Health Care Plan with face-to-face sessions, you are still able to access telehealth sessions as an alternative. You will still be allowed 10 Medicare Funded sessions per calendar year, regardless of which mode of therapy you choose to use, whether via telehealth or face-to-face.
What if I have Private Health Insurance?
- You may still be eligible to claim rebates with your private health fund for your Telehealth appointment, as long as you are not also claiming Medicare rebates for the same session.
- Your level of cover and policies may vary between different health insurance companies. Please check with your health fund to find out whether you are eligible.