Fees & Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a referral to see you?
You do not need a referral to attend an appointment. However, if you wish to claim a rebate from Medicare, you will need to get a referral from a General Practitioner (GP) for a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) if eligible.
Medicare Better Access to Mental Health Scheme – Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP)
GP’s, Paediatricians and Psychiatrists can refer their patients for psychological services. Eligibility is assessed by the referring doctor who will monitor and review regularly. A MHCP allows for six therapy sessions followed by a review from the doctor who then assesses and decides whether a further four sessions are warranted. A maximum of ten sessions per calendar year are eligible for a rebate. Assessments are not covered by Medicare.
Please note: Parents are not able to claim a rebate under their child’s MHCP when they attend parent sessions. The MHCP may only be used by the individual for whom it has been written.
Private Health Fund
Depending on the level of extras cover, you may be entitled to a rebate through your private health fund. Please check with your private health fund to determine if you are eligible.
Please note: You cannot use your private health insurance in conjunction with Medicare rebates. You need to decide if you will use Medicare of your private health insurance to pay for the psychological services that you receive.
Other Rebates
If you have a self-managed or plan-managed National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) plan, you can claim for approved services. Services for NDIS agency managed funding is not provided through Yael Levy Psychology.
How much do sessions cost?
Please contact Yael here for the therapy and assessments fee structure.
What if I need to cancel my appointment?
Yael Levy is committed to providing a high level of client care. As part of this commitment, there is a 24 hour cancellation policy for all appointments. A late cancellation fee will be incurred for cancellations made within 24 hours and a non-attendance fee will be incurred for clients who fail to attend their appointments.
Please note: late cancellations or non-attendance are not covered by any funding schemes and therefore no rebates will apply.
How do I make an appointment?
You can get in touch with Yael by filling out an enquiry form. Please note that as Yael is unable to answer the phone during sessions, it is advisable to either leave Yael a message or send an email.
I’m nervous. What can I expect from the first session?
The initial session is a chance for Yael to get to know you and for you to become aware of Yael’s policies and procedures. The initial session allows you to discuss your expectations about the therapy process, identify your goals for treatment and explore family and developmental experiences.
In the case of young children, an initial parent-only consult provides you with the opportunity to share your concerns and discuss the role you might play in therapy. Parents are given the opportunity to communicate with Yael as needed throughout the counselling process.
The initial session is also an opportunity to discuss Yael’s policies, the limits of confidentiality and the ethical code by which Yael conducts her work.
How often should I/my child attend therapy?
Yael tailors each therapeutic process individually and therefore frequency of sessions will be different for each client. Clients are encouraged to commit to weekly or fortnightly sessions initially to sustain the therapeutic relationship, reinforce and consolidate learning and ensure continuity. As sessions continue, symptoms decrease and confidence builds, sessions may begin to space out.
How long will I/my child need to attend therapy?
The length of therapy will differ for each client. Most commonly, the first few sessions are spent getting to know one another, exploring developmental and personal history, and discussing presenting concerns. This is an essential part of the therapeutic process to ensure Yael has an accurate assessment and formulation of the presenting issues prior to commencing therapy.
Some clients choose to attend regular therapy, as this becomes an integral part of maintaining and nurturing their wellbeing. For others, attendance will be spread out throughout the year for monthly check ins. Together with Yael, you will assess and evaluate progress periodically.
I have used up my 10 Medicare rebated sessions. Now what?
You can continue to attend sessions by paying the full fee or you may be able to use your private health fund if you have extras cover for ‘psychology’.