Question 1

How do I book a session?

Accepted Answer

You can reach out to your preferred clinician directly via email. Their contact details can be found on the Our Team (https://www.watermelonbluetherapycentre.com.au/our-team)page. When emailing, please include a brief description of the type of support you’re seeking.
If you’re unsure which clinician is the best fit or need assistance, feel free to email our admin team at hello@watermelonbluetherapycentre.com.au.(hello@watermelonbluetherapycentre.com.au) We’re here to help you find the right clinician and book your appointment.

Question 2

How long does a session last?

Accepted Answer

A standard session includes 50 minutes of direct time with your clinician and 10 minutes of non-direct time for activities like session planning, research, review, and summarization.
Initial intake sessions may require more time and can range from 50, 80, or 110 minutes of direct time with your clinician. This will be discussed with you before your first appointment.
Ongoing sessions are flexible and tailored to your individual needs. While most are 50 minutes, longer sessions can be arranged if necessary. If you have any concerns or wish to extend your session time, please discuss this with your clinician during your next appointment.

Question 3

How regularly do I need to come and for how long?

Accepted Answer

You and your clinician will work together to determine the frequency of your therapy sessions. This might be weekly, fortnightly, or monthly, depending on what works best for your situation. Therapy should fit your needs and lifestyle, and our clinicians are flexible in tailoring support to suit you.

Everyone’s journey is unique, and the number of sessions needed for your treatment will depend on your personal goals and circumstances. Feel free to discuss this with your clinician at your next appointment.

Question 4

What will my first session be like?

Accepted Answer

Your first session is an opportunity for your clinician to get to know you and understand your current challenges. They’ll ask questions about different areas of your life, such as your background, family, relationships, work or study, past therapy experiences, and the concerns or goals you’d like to address.

Together, you and your clinician will collaboratively develop a treatment plan focused on the goals and outcomes you want to achieve. Please know that you are not required to discuss anything you’re uncomfortable with—just let your clinician know, and they will respect your boundaries.

Question 5

What do I need to do for a telehealth session?

Accepted Answer

If you’re attending a telehealth session, take a few minutes beforehand to ensure you’re ready. Check that your internet connection is stable, you’re in a safe and private space, and you have anything you might need, such as water or a snack, tissues, and any fidget tools to help you feel comfortable during the session.

Question 6

What if I don’t click with the clinician I am seeing?

Accepted Answer

A strong rapport with your clinician is one of the most important factors for achieving positive outcomes in therapy. If you feel that you don’t quite “click” with your clinician, that’s completely okay! You are welcome to try working with someone else.
We understand that everyone is different, and no clinician can be the perfect fit for every person. It’s not a reflection on you or the clinician—sometimes the connection just isn’t there, and that’s perfectly normal. What matters most is finding someone you feel comfortable with so you can get the support you need. Your health journey is the priority, and we’re here to help you find the clinician who’s right for you.

Question 7

I am worried about telling some very personal information to the clinician.  Can they tell my parents/anybody about our sessions?

Accepted Answer

At Watermelon Blue Therapy Centre, our clinicians follow a strict code of ethics that requires them to maintain confidentiality at all times. This means they will not share anything you tell them without your explicit consent. Maintaining your privacy is a responsibility they take very seriously, and breaching confidentiality can result in losing their professional registration.

However, there are two important exceptions to this rule:

1.      Risk of Harm: If your clinician believes there is an immediate risk to your safety or the safety of others, they are obligated to take action. This may involve notifying a family member, friend, GP, police, or hospital staff to ensure everyone’s safety.
2.      Legal Requirements: If your file is subpoenaed by a court, they are legally required to comply.

Apart from these exceptions, you can trust that everything you share will remain strictly between you and your clinician.

Question 8

Do I need a referral to see a clinician?

Accepted Answer

You don’t need a referral to book an appointment with any of our clinicians. However, if you’d like to access the Medicare rebate for psychology services, you’ll need to visit your GP first to obtain a Mental Health Treatment Plan before your appointment with us.

Question 9

Can I use my private health insurance cover?

Accepted Answer

Depending on your level of coverage, you may be eligible to make a claim with your private health insurer. For details on your coverage and which services are eligible for claims, please contact your health insurance provider directly. We will provide you with an invoice that you can use to submit a claim manually to your insurer.

Please note that private health claims cannot be made for sessions where a Medicare rebate is already being claimed. However, you can use your private health insurance to claim sessions without impacting the number of sessions you can claim through Medicare.

Question 10

How much does a session cost?

Accepted Answer

Please visit our Services and Fee Schedule (https://www.watermelonbluetherapycentre.com.au/services-fees-schedule)page for details on our session fees. These fees are based on the type of therapy, skills, and qualifications needed to provide your care. While we are not a bulk-billing practice, we offer a range of fee options and rebate access to help make therapy more affordable. Additionally, your private health insurance may cover part of the cost—please contact your insurer to inquire about your coverage options. If you have any questions about our fee arrangements, feel free to Contact Us.(https://www.watermelonbluetherapycentre.com.au/contact-us)

Question 11

Do you have cancellation fees?

Accepted Answer

We understand life happens, and plans can change. To help us provide the best and most accessible service for everyone, we have a cancellation policy in place. If you need to reschedule, cancel, or miss an appointment without giving at least 48 hours’ notice, a cancellation fee of 100% of the session cost will apply.

Why do we have this policy? Your clinician sets aside dedicated time just for you. If you cancel late or don’t show up, we can’t rebook that time, and other clients who may have been waiting for an appointment miss the chance to access support. Additionally, our clinicians rely on these appointments as part of their livelihood, and missed sessions can significantly impact their ability to continue providing care.

We truly don’t love charging late fees, but it’s a necessary part of keeping the practice running and ensuring we can continue helping people. If you need to make a change, please let us know as early as possible so we can offer your spot to someone else in need. Thank you for understanding and respecting the time and care your clinician has prepared for you!

Question 12

Your question not listed?

Accepted Answer

Please feel free to ask us here Contact Us (https://www.watermelonbluetherapycentre.com.au/contact-us)