Frequently Asked Questions
Stillpoint psychology is a registered provider
How do I know counselling is the best option for me?
Many life problems resolve on their own, without the need for professional assistance. However, for some problems it may warrant the use of professional assistance to manage. The following are some questions to consider when thinking about accessing counselling:
Is my distress making it hard to live my life?
Is this problem getting easier or harder to manage?
Do I feel I can rely on the current level of support that I feel?
Am I somebody who feels the need to 'bottle-up' my feelings?
What are the emotional costs to myself and others, if I do not find a better way to cope?
I am worried about someone in my life, and do not know how to help them. They are refusing to accept they have a problem, and will not see a professional. What can Ido?
The stress caused by caring for someone who is mentally unwell or experiencing a crisis is a very common sources of distress. If one has become distressed on account of caring for someone, that distress is reason enough to consider accessing support for one's self. Learning how to cope may be the most effective support you can offer someone who is in crisis. Not uncommonly, people attempting to provide support, feel 'burn-out' as a result of not being able to handle the stress, this may result in a breakdown of the relationship altogether. Although we cannot change somebody else in therapy, counselling aimed at learning how to cope may be the best option.
I am caring for someone with dementia, who is also dying. Can they benefit from end-of-life counselling?
It would be necessary to assess each situation case-by-case. Often, in cases of dementia, the pain is felt more strongly by those around the patient, in such cases a consultation aimed at assisting the family/friends to cope may be effective. In complex care situations it may be necessary to develop specific interventions to help the person.
What is the cost of a session?
The cost of an initial session is $150 for 50-60min appointments.
Study Mastery sessions will not be eligible for the medicare rebate.
Stillpoint Psychology is based in the South Eastern suburbs of Melbourne. Home visits within a 20km radius (as calculated by Google Maps) of the Mt Waverley postcode 3149 have no additional travel fee. Home visits outside of this radius are charged $3 a kilometer from the 3149 postcode, note this is for travel one way (a visit to an address in Melbourne CBD, would be 23km away, and would be charged an additional $69).
For more information on the recommended fees for services proposed by the Australian Psychological Society see:
What is your cancellation policy?
When you request an appointment, a reply email will be sent indicating your session time. If you need to cancel or re-book, you should send an email to appointments@stillpointpsychology.com , titled "cancellation", and your details, or a text message to the mobile number listed on the booking form. If we receive this cancellation or request to re-book within twenty four hours of the proposed appointment time you will not be charged a cancellation fee. If we do not receive a cancellation, or request to re-book within twenty four hours we will charge a fee which is 80% of the proposed fee for service (not including travel costs).
For information on the Australian Psychological Society's recommended policy on cancellations see:
What should I expect from a first session?
During a first session it is common for the psychologist to ask questions related to the client's concerns in order to build a picture of their current functioning, and will then generate an agreed upon treatment goal. Psychologists are obliged to outline with the client: the cost, limits of confidentiality, type of treatment proposed, and an estimate of the length of treatment. For more information on client's expectations of service see the link below
How long is each session?
Initial sessions are between fifty and sixty minutes. Subsequent sessions will generally be approximately sixty minutes.
Do you bulk-bill clients on health care cards, such as pensioners etc?
Such clients are billed at a heavily discounted rate
How can I access the medicare rebate?
Medicare offers rebates for psychological services that treat mental health problems. However, to access these rebates you need to have a "Mental Health Care Plan", which is a plan developed by your GP in consultation with you. To generate a "Mental Health Care Plan", you should indicate to your GP your need to create this care plan when you book your appointment. After the session, your GP should give you your Mental Health Care Plan and a letter of referral which entitles you to Medicare Rebates. It is important to retain this letter of referral for your first session with Stillpoint Psychology. For more information on medicare eligibility and available services follow the link
I am concerned about privacy and confidentiality.
Stillpoint respects the privacy of all clients and upholds their rights to the full extent permitted under the law and the professional codes of ethics. Confidentiality is not unlimited and if information about a serious criminal offence is disclosed there is a professional obligation to inform the police. For more information on the professional limits of confidentiality and privacy please see this link https://www.psychology.org.au/Assets/Files/APS-Code-of-Ethics.pdf. If you have concerns about privacy and confidentiality these should be discussed with the psychologist.
On occasion, details about a session may be discussed with another psychologist as part of the normal supervision requirements of registration. Clients are not discussed by name, and usually only the elements of the session related to the psychologist's practice are disclosed, for the purposes of professional development.
What type of therapy is used at Stillpoint Psychology?
Stillpoint psychology tailors the therapy used to the concerns raised by the client. We utilise best-practice principles and rely on evidence based interventions and treatments. The style of therapy used will be discussed with the client, and any concerns can be addressed prior to treatment commencing. Practice areas include:
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Motivational Interviewing
Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)
Behavioural interventions
Interpersonal therapy
Narrative therapy
Skills based coping (meditation, mindfulness, relaxation training)
You provide counselling for people nearing the end of their life, what is your view on euthanasia?
Stillpoint psychology understands that the debate around euthanasia is highly contentious at present and that there are principled reasons for both supporting and opposing assisted suicide. We respect the values and beliefs of our clients and do not seek to convert anybody to a particular belief system. In many cases a desire to end one's life is a consequence of the fear of dealing with a terminal prognosis, but also a way of trying to gain some sense of comfort from knowing that if the pain becomes unbearable there is a way to escape it. Not uncommonly, the dying wish to no longer be a 'burden' to those they care about. In treating a client who has expressed a desire to seek means for euthanasia, treatment would focus on dealing with the distress that has lead to this desire. When those suffering terminal illness are reassured that their concerns are being addressed their desire for euthanasia tends to diminish. With effective palliative care most people can die with dignity and manageable discomfort.
What is the cost of sessions if I have a mental health plan?
Stillpoint Psychology takes clients on a fee-paying basis. However, if you wish to access the medicare rebate please download/print this GP referral form and bring with you and make an appointment with your GP. This form will become part of your 'mental health treatment plan' and entitle you to significant rebates on the cost of treatment. Stillpoint psychology is registered with all the major private health insurance companies, however, it may be necessary to check your level of cover.
For a breakdown of the available Medicare rebate for a psychology appointment conducted in your space, follow the link below. All appointments are eligible for the 80115 MBS, under the heading 'Individual focused psychological strategies' items provided by a psychologist. For a standard home-visit session, a client can receive $106 from medicare, leaving out-of-pocket expenses at $44. Medicare rebate for sessions in consulting suites are $84.80. There are no rebates available for Skype sessions.