What are your qualifications? 

Monique has completed a Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Psychology (Honours), and a combined Clinical Psychology Masters degree and PhD. Monique holds registration with the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency (AHPRA), including a Clinical endorsement and accreditation as a Board-approved Supervisor, and is a Member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS). 

 

Do I need a referral? 

A referral is not required to access psychology services, however a valid referral and Mental Health Care Plan from a GP, Psychiatrist or Paediatrician may help offset the cost. A Mental Health Care Plan from your GP may entitle you to Medicare rebates of $137.05 (from 1 November 2023) for up to 10 sessions per calendar year. 

 

How much do appointments cost?

Psychology appointments cost $250 per fifty-minute session. This is below the Australian Psychological Society (APS) national schedule of recommended fees (from 1 July 2023 the recommended fee for a 50 minute consultation with a Clinical Psychologist is set at $300). 

A Medicare rebate of $137.05* per session (up to 10 per calendar year) may be available with a referral and Mental Health Care Plan from your GP. The full fee is processed in session and the rebate is subsequently credited to your nominated bank account by Medicare.

*Once the Medicare safety net has been reached, higher Medicare rebates may be available. For further information about Medicare safety nets see https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/medicare-safety-nets.

Private health insurance rebates may also be available depending on your level of cover.

Self-managed and plan-managed NDIS funding is also accepted.

Bulk billing is not available, however Monique offers a reduced fee to a limited number of clients at any one time experiencing financial hardship. If you require a reduced fee due to financial hardship, please make this known to Monique at the time of enquiry.

What is your cancellation policy?

If you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment, please let us know as soon as possible to avoid a cancellation fee. Cancellations and reschedules within 48 hours will incur a cancellation fee equivalent to 50% of the full fee ($125). Cancellations (or no-shows) within 24 hours incur a cancellation fee equivalent to the full fee ($250). Medicare rebates cannot be claimed for appointments that were not attended/cancellation fees.

What can I expect in my first and subsequent appointments?

Prior to the first appointment you will be sent an intake form, and some brief questionnaires about your mental health, which are used throughout treatment to monitor your progress. 

In the first appointment you can expect to talk about your current mental health difficulties and any relevant background information, as we begin to build a collaborative, therapeutic relationship. Together, we will develop treatment goals and discuss how these goals can be met in treatment. 

As treatment continues, we will routinely monitor how you are progressing in relation to your goals, and make any adjustments to the treatment plan as necessary to optimise outcomes.  

 

Can I attend my appointment via Telehealth? 

Yes. TeleHealth appointments (video or phone) are available Australia-wide, servicing Greater Melbourne and Victoria (VIC), as well as Tasmania (TAS), New South Wales (NSW), Australian Capital Territory (ACT), Northern Territory (NT) and Western Australia (WA). If you would like to attend your appointment via TeleHealth, please advise us of your preference at the time of booking.

Research indicates psychological interventions provided via TeleHealth are equally effective as those delivered in-person. 

 

I would like to attend my appointment in-person. Where are you located?

In-person appointments are available at our consulting suite located on Level 1, 123 Camberwell Road, Hawthorn East (Victoria, Australia), near the Camberwell Junction. If you would like to attend your appointment in-person, please advise us of your preference at the time of booking.

If driving, metered street parking is available at the front of the building, or you may find some free parking in a nearby street or at the Junction. If you are catching public transport, we are located approximately 600 metres from Camberwell train station.

Please note, that if you are unwell and/or have any symptoms of COVID-19 and/or have tested positive for COVID-19, you will be required to advise us as soon as possible and your appointment will be changed to attendance via TeleHealth or rescheduled to a later date. Please note however, that cancellations and reschedules within 48 hours may incur a cancellation fee as per our cancellation policy.

I need an immediate appointment, can you help me? 

We are not a crisis support service. However, we will endeavour to see you as soon as an appointment becomes available. If you require emergency support please contact 000 or call or attend your local emergency department. A number of crisis support lines are also available, including: 

  • Lifeline (24/7) - 13 11 14

  • Kid's Helpline (24/7) - 1800 551 800

  • Suicide Help Line (24/7) - 1300 651 251

  • Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre (24/7) - 1800 015 188

  • PANDA Perinatal National Helpline (Monday-Saturday) - 1300 726 306

  • Eastern Health Psychiatric Triage - 1300 721 927 (for those in the Eastern Health catchment area including: Boroondara, Banyule, Knox, Manningham, Maroondah, Mitchell, Monash, Whitehorse, Yarra Ranges, Murrindindi, Nillumbik, Whittlesea)

  • Monash Health Psychiatric Triage - 1300 369 012 (for those in the Monash Health catchment area including: Dandenong, Casey, Cardinia, Monash, Bayside, Kingston)

  • Alfred Health Psychiatric Triage - 1300 363 746 (for those in the Alfred Health catchment area including: Melbourne, Bayside, Stonnington, Glen Eira, Kingston, Port Phillip)

  • NorthWestern Health Psychiatric Triage - 1300 874 243 (for those in the NorthWestern Health catchment area including: Brimbank, Banyule, Maribyrnong, Nillumbik, Whittlesea, Hume, Melton)