FAQ's
Questions about our online
Counselling or Coaching Services?
Medicare rebate or private medical insurance claim for psychological services?
Most clients prefer to book directly with with our counsellors. No referral is required to access this counselling service.
During the first session, you can discuss the benefits of seeking a Mental Health Care Plan from your GP should you wish to pursue this path moving forward and you are booking with a registered psychologist. If you require a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) you will need to make a long appointment with your GP and they will make an assessment about whether you are eligible.
All of our registered psychologists are registered with Medicare and you will need a referral from a GP if you wish to claim Medicare rebates. Under the Better Access program you can receive a partial rebate for up to 10 individual sessions in a calendar year.
All our psychologists are registered with private health insurance providers in Australia. If you have private health insurance, you may be eligible to claim rebates for psychological sessions. The level of cover and any applicable waiting periods vary between providers and depends on your extras cover policy.
To find out if you are eligible and/or how much funding you are entitled to claim for psychological sessions, please contact your private health insurance.
Where applicable, some of our psychologists also see clients who are self-managed or plan-managed through NDIS at the current rate for NDIS.
Cancellation or missed sessions policy
Given the nature of our support services, last minute cancellations are costly, and it means that other clients may miss out on receiving the required support. For cancellations within 48 hours of the scheduled appointment there is a $65 part fee payment. For less than 24 hours cancellation notice or a non-show, the full session fee will need to be charged. These fees are refunded however if the session can be filled at the last minute.
How are your counselling and coaching sessions held?
We know our clients are time poor. For your convenience, all our counselling or coaching sessions are now available online via Zoom.
You can book your appointment online via this website.
Zoom allows us to connect with you via video and audio. It just requires you to click on a link to join. You can sign up to Zoom to create a FREE account and download the Zoom Client for Meetings. Zoom does require internet connections.
After you book you will be sent a reminder about the booking and emailed a link to connect at the booked time. You are also likely to be sent a client information form to complete prior to your initial consultation to enable our Counsellors and Coaches to be better prepared for your first meeting.
If you are unable to make any of the dates available, please email us to see if we can accommodate an alternate time for you: [email protected]
If you live in Brisbane or the Gold Coast, Queensland, we are available for face to face consultations. Please email us at [email protected] if you would like to arrange an in person appointment.
Catch up on our latest blogs
Medically Induced Menopause
There is a dire need in Australia to find more effective ways to support women experiencing medically induced menopause due to cancer treatments, preventative surgeries or other medically required procedures or medication, which can induce menopause. Often, this challenge presents itself when women are working and caring for their family( including parents). If not appropriately supported, this results in serious physical, emotional and mental health issues.
Inherited Cancers Australia's recent report revealed more than three-quarters (76%) of respondents who had undergone tube or ovary removal for cancer treatment or risk reduction had not accessed a menopause specialist, with many unaware that such support was even available.
Medically induced menopause can be caused by:
Surgical removal of the ovaries (known as oophorectomy)
Chemotherapy
Radiation therapy to the pelvic area
Medical menopause where hormone production is shut down with medicine, such as Lupron or Zoladex.
Removal of the uterus (hysterectomy)may speed up the decline of the ovaries leading to menopause.
Common symptoms include hot flushes (day and night) painful sexual intercourse, brain fog, mood changes (including irritability), and urine symptoms. Women are at increased long-term health risks, such as osteoporosis and cardio/cerebrovascular disease ie heart attacks and strokes.
Menopause support
We have a team of menopause coaches working with us, who can help to provide you with the guidance you need to get through this challenging time - Dr Sharmila Kumar, Claire Kelly and Katie Young. They can assist you with one-on-one consultations in person or via Zoom. They all champion healthy lifestyle choices in the Peri/menopause transition which when personalised (with knowledge) and actioned is the best way to age healthily. Don't we all want that !
About Sharmila
Sharmila is the director of Menopause, My Way. Her approach to peri/menopause is holistic, including nonhormonal ( lifestyle) and hormonal methods of management.
Dr Kumar is an AMS doctor (Australasian Menopause Doctor) and licensed Champion of Menopause Experts Group (UK). One of her passions is to increase community awareness of peri/menopause.
To Book: Dr Sharmila Kumar is available for menopause consultations at Waitara Family Medical Practice, 1/75-77 Pacific Highway, Waitara NSW, 2077. Please book online or by ringing (02)80381070.Consultations can be either face to face or via telehealth.
email :[email protected] and follow her on FB: Menopause, My Way
About Claire
Claire is a very well regarded and highly skilled nurse consultant, educator, and health and wellness coach, specialising in oncology/cancer and peri/menopause wellness. She has an extensive background in practice, education and training, program development and care coordination - working with women, workplaces and health professionals to support them with their unique menopause, cancer and midlife health needs.
Claire also works as a menopause trainer for various organisations including Corporate Wellness Solutions.
To arrange a booking please refer to: www.middlehealth.com.au
About Katie
Katie is a certified menopause support coach and founder of The Mid Shift, who can be booked for face to face or online coaching support. With a background in psychology, mental health, pharmaceuticals and crisis support, Katie offers specialised one-on-one, or small group support for her clients to assist with their holistic wellness during their midlife.
To arrange a booking please refer to:www.midshift.com
Join the FREE Monthly Newsletter
Sign up to the email and you also go into the draw for ticket to a workshop of choice.
We are committed to protecting your personal information and respecting your privacy. This website uses cookies to analyze website traffic and optimise your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.
DISCLAIMER: The material contained on this website is for general educational and information purposes only and is not a substitute for professional legal, financial, medical or psychological advice or care. While every care has been taken in the information provided, no legal responsibility or liability is accepted, warranted or implied by the authors or Family Counselling Support Network and any liability is hereby expressly disclaimed. For specific advice please contact us at [email protected]. All information contained on the website remains the intellectual property of Family Counselling Support Network and is for your personal educational use only. The information must not be reproduced or distributed without the express permission of Family Counselling Support Network.
Family Counselling Support Network acknowledges and respects the First Nations Custodians of the land where our offices stand, and where we work to help Australians. We pay respects to their Elders, past present and emerging, lore, customs and creation spirits. We recognise that these lands have always been places of ceremony, teaching, research and learning, and we acknowledge the important role Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples play in our community.
We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible environment where people and communities of all identities and backgrounds are accepted, safe and celebrated.
Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions