Policies & Information.
This document outlines important information about how we work together. A copy will be provided to you upon booking with Homeplace Psychology, please retain this for your records.
Appointments & Cancellations
Sessions are 50 minutes unless otherwise arranged.
If you need to cancel or reschedule, please give at least 48 hours notice. This allows us to offer the appointment to someone else.
Cancellations with between 24-48 hours notice will incur 50% of the full session fee. Cancellations with less than 24 hours notice, or missed appointments, will be charged at the full session fee.
We will always try to fill cancelled appointments from our waitlist. In the event that we can fill the appointment, no fees will be charged.
Fees & Payment
Our fees are available here.
All time spent with a clinician, including appointments, phone calls, emails, care meetings, and special preparation time, is charged unless previously arranged. This ensures we can provide the highest level of care and attention to each client.
Scheduled Appointments: All in-person, phone, and online sessions are billable.
Additional Time: Time for follow-up tasks, report writing, or case preparation outside of appointments will also be charged at the standard session rate, unless specified otherwise.
Pre-scheduled Communication: Any communication outside of regular sessions must be arranged in advance and will incur a charge at the standard session rate.
For transparency, all charges will be communicated to you in advance, and we welcome any questions about billing.
We do not take any payments onsite. All payments are taken online through Halaxy within 24 hours of the appointment time. Payments are processed remotely with the credit/debit card details provided in our patient intake form.
We will notify you if there are any payment issues or if we are unable to process payment due to insufficient funds or incorrect card details. We will try again within 24 hours.
If there is an outstanding amount on a client’s account due to the abovementioned reasons and it has been longer than 7 days since the original appointment and we have not been able to discuss this with you in that time, future appointments will be cancelled. If we do not receive payment or make multiple attempts to contact you for payment with no success, we may refer your account to our debt collection service.
Please note not all cards are accepted through our payment system. It is at the discretion of Homeplace Psychology to change the payment process at any time during the course of therapy and clients will be notified accordingly.
I understand that my treating psychologist is entitled to set the professional fee as outlined. I understand and accept that it is my responsibility to pay my treating psychologist the upfront professional fee as documented. If I am eligible for Medicare rebates, I understand I am required to pay the full amount and am responsible for claiming the Medicare rebate directly from Medicare myself.
I understand and agree to pay the professional fee to my treating psychologist in the method that has been outlined prior to the provision of the service or immediately upon to the conclusion of the service provided. I understand that I can ask questions and discuss concerns about the professional fees with my treating psychologist at any time.
Referrals and Medicare Claiming
You may be eligible for Medicare rebates under the Medicare Benefits Schedule (Better Access). Medicare rebates are accessed with a Mental Health Treatment Plan and referral from a medical practitioner such as a GP, psychiatrist, or paediatrician. The rebate is limited to a maximum of 10 sessions per calendar year and is only available with a valid referral. Please note the maximum number of sessions per referral is six, and rebates will not be given beyond the number stated on the referral.
We can claim with Medicare on behalf of clients for psychology sessions if we have received a copy of a client’s MHTP plan with a valid referral addressed to our clinic. The Medicare rebate will be shown in your payment receipt. Whilst we will endeavour to claim on behalf of our clients where possible, the Medicare card holder is ultimately responsible for claiming the Medicare rebate directly from Medicare themself.
We do our best to monitor the number of sessions clients have had and send reminders when a MHTP review is due. The responsibility remains the client’s to ensure the referral is up to date in order to receive rebates.
Private Health Insurance Claiming
Private health insurance rebates may be available depending on your fund.
We are unable to process private health insurance claims and therefore clients must pay in full and then claim themselves with their fund. Please note clients cannot claim through both Medicare and Private Health Insurance for the same service.
NDIS Claiming
We are unable to process NDIS claims and therefore clients must pay in full and then claim with NDIS themselves.
Letters and Reports
Should you require a letter or report written (this includes special consideration forms), please send a written request to homeplacepsychology@gmail.com. Reports will incur fees with no Medicare rebate available. Payment plans can be arranged upon request.
Confidentiality
Your privacy is very important. Information you share in sessions is confidential, except in the following circumstances:
If you provide consent to share information.
If there is a risk of harm to yourself or others.
If required by law (e.g. court order, mandatory reporting).
Clinical consultation with another professional is required to provide better services to you. If this occurs, identifying details will remain confidential.
In line with professional guidelines, session notes are kept securely.
Please see our Privacy Policy.
Confidentiality of young people: Psychologists are bound to additional ethical guidelines when working with young people. ‘Young person’ means a child under the age of 18 years.
Confidentiality is needed between a young person and their psychologist. This means that parents/carers will not be told information shared by the young person with their psychologist. However, this is discussed further with the young person, in most cases a general overview of what was covered may be provided with the young person’s consent and where deemed appropriate.
Consent for the treatment of a young person is generally provided by parents/carers. However, the law recognises that a young person may have the capacity to consent to treatment on their own behalf, and without their parents’ knowledge. In order to do so, the young person must have a ‘sufficient understanding and intelligence to enable (them) him to fully understand what is proposed’. This is known as ‘Gillick competence’. Homeplace Psychology supports young people with Gillick competence to consent to their own treatment.
The young person’s psychologist will always encourage them to talk with their parents/carers, and will always endeavour to foster increased familial communication when safe to do so, but will break confidentiality only when the child's (or another’s) safety is at risk.
Communication
The best way to contact us is via email homeplacepsychology@gmail.com
Emails should be limited to administrative matters (e.g., appointments, payments, enquiries). Wherever possible, therapy matters should be in session with your Psychologist.
Homeplace Psychology will contact clients via email or phone as well as through Halaxy.
Social Media
Please see our Social Media Policy.
Record Keeping
Clinical notes are stored securely in accordance with privacy legislation.
See our Privacy Policy.
Emergencies
Homeplace Psychology does not provide crisis services.
If you are in immediate danger, call 000 and/or attend your nearest Emergency Department.
See crisis and support services for additional urgent care options.
Rights & Responsibilities
Homeplace Psychology respects and fully commits to upholding the rights of all people. We are committed to ensuring our clients are aware of their rights and responsibilities and are supported to exercise them.
You have the right to respectful, professional, and safe psychological care.
You are encouraged to ask questions about your treatment.
You can withdraw consent or stop therapy at any time.
We ask that clients treat staff and other clients with respect and courtesy. We do not accept disrespectful, violent, or aggressive behaviour. In the event of such behaviour, we have the right to cease ongoing treatment.
Code of Ethics
Our Psychologists are registered with AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency) and therefore abide by the Australian Psychological Society Code of Ethics.
Feedback & Complaints
We welcome feedback about your experience.
If you have concerns, please see our complaints process.
Acknowledgement
By attending sessions, you acknowledge that you have read and understood these policies.