Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if therapy is right for me?

You don't need to be experiencing a crisis or have a particular diagnosis to benefit from therapy.

People seek psychological support for many different reasons. You might be navigating anxiety, low mood, relationship difficulties, significant life changes or simply feeling that something isn't quite right.

Therapy can also provide a space for greater self-understanding, personal growth and developing new ways of responding to life's challenges.

Whatever brings you here, we believe your experiences deserve to be heard and understood.

How do I find the right psychologist for me?

We believe that finding the right practitioner is one of the most important parts of a positive therapeutic experience.

Rather than simply booking you with the next available psychologist, our dedicated Intake Team takes the time to understand your individual needs, concerns, treatment goals and personal preferences.

We consider each practitioner's experience, therapeutic approach, personality and communication style to thoughtfully recommend someone we believe will be well suited to you.

Our aim is to help you feel comfortable, understood and connected from the very beginning.

Do I need a referral to make an appointment?

No. You're welcome to book an appointment with one of our practitioners without a referral from your GP.

However, if you would like to access Medicare rebates for eligible psychological or mental health social work services, you will generally need a valid referral from your GP or another eligible medical practitioner, in accordance with Medicare's requirements.

Our Administration & Client Support Team can help you understand the referral process and what you may need before your first appointment.

What happens when I first contact Minded?

When you reach out, our team will guide you through our personalised intake and matching process.

We'll take the time to learn a little about what has brought you to therapy, what you're hoping to gain from the experience and any preferences you may have for your practitioner.

From there, we'll recommend a practitioner who we believe is a good fit and help you arrange your first appointment.

We want this process to feel thoughtful, supportive and straightforward, particularly when reaching out may already feel difficult.

Your Therapy Experience

What can I expect from my first appointment?

Your first appointment is an Initial Assessment Session, providing an opportunity for your practitioner to develop a thorough understanding of you, your experiences and what has brought you to therapy.

During this session, your practitioner will ask a range of detailed questions about your personal history, current concerns, psychological functioning and treatment goals.

The information gathered helps your practitioner develop a personalised treatment plan tailored to your individual needs. Where appropriate, and with your consent, they may also collaborate with other healthcare providers involved in your care.

Initial Assessment Sessions typically run for 70–90 minutes, allowing additional time to explore your experiences and begin establishing a meaningful therapeutic relationship.

You won't be expected to share everything at once. Your practitioner will guide the conversation with care and sensitivity, working at a pace that feels comfortable for you.

What if I've never seen a psychologist before?

It's completely normal to feel nervous, uncertain or even a little vulnerable before your first appointment.

You don't need to know exactly what to say, how to explain what you're feeling or where to begin.

Your practitioner will help guide the conversation and create space for you to explore your experiences without judgement.

There's no right or wrong way to begin therapy.

What if I don't feel connected to my psychologist?

We place enormous value on the therapeutic relationship because we believe feeling genuinely understood, comfortable and connected to your practitioner is central to meaningful therapeutic work.

Our entire team shares this philosophy and genuinely prioritises the best interests of every client. While we invest considerable care in our personalised matching process, we also recognise that therapy is deeply personal and not every practitioner will be the right fit for everyone.

If you're unsure about the connection, we encourage you to discuss this with your practitioner or reach out to our Intake Team.

If another practitioner may be better suited to your needs, we will happily support a re-referral to one of our colleagues and, with your consent, arrange a thoughtful clinical handover to ensure continuity of care.

Ultimately, finding the right therapeutic fit matters far more to us than who you see.

What therapeutic approaches do your practitioners use?

Our practitioners draw on a range of evidence-based psychological approaches, thoughtfully tailored to each individual's needs, experiences and goals.

We value an integrative approach to therapy, recognising that people are complex and that no single therapeutic model is right for everyone.

Depending on your needs and your practitioner's training, therapy may incorporate approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Schema Therapy, Emotion-Focused Therapy and other evidence-based interventions.

We believe effective therapy involves more than addressing symptoms alone. It also means understanding the emotional, relational and broader life experiences that shape how we think, feel and respond to the world.

How many sessions will I need?

The number of sessions required is unique to each person and will be determined collaboratively between you and your practitioner, based on your individual needs, treatment goals and progress.

At Minded, we place particular importance on consistency and continuity of care. Regular sessions provide the opportunity to establish a strong therapeutic relationship, build on the work undertaken in previous appointments and consolidate meaningful therapeutic change.

Rather than relying on occasional or ad hoc appointments, we reserve a regular session time specifically for you. This ensures you have consistent access to your practitioner and helps prevent disruptions to your treatment as their appointment schedule fills.

As you make progress and experience greater stability, the frequency of your sessions can gradually decrease in consultation with your practitioner, until you feel confident and ready to conclude therapy.

Our aim is to provide thoughtful, consistent support for as long as it is clinically beneficial, while helping you develop the confidence and capacity to navigate life's challenges independently.

Is everything I share in therapy confidential?

Confidentiality is an important foundation of the therapeutic relationship.

What you share with your practitioner is treated with care and confidentiality, in accordance with professional, ethical and legal obligations.

There are some circumstances in which information may need to be shared, such as where there are serious concerns about safety or where disclosure is required by law.

Your practitioner will explain confidentiality and its limits, and you're always welcome to ask questions about how your information is managed.

Children, Adolescents & Families

Does Minded provide therapy for children and teenagers?

Yes. We have practitioners who work with children, adolescents and their families across a range of emotional, behavioural, developmental and relational concerns.

We recognise that children and young people experience and communicate their difficulties differently from adults.

Our approach is sensitive to their developmental stage, individual personality, family relationships and broader environment.

Through our personalised intake process, we aim to connect your child with a practitioner whose experience and therapeutic style are well suited to their needs.

Will parents be involved in their child's therapy?

Absolutely. At Minded, we believe that parents and caregivers play an essential role in supporting their child's emotional wellbeing and psychological development.

Our approach to child and adolescent therapy is family-inclusive and attachment-focused, recognising that meaningful and lasting change is often supported through strengthening the relationships and environments in which children grow and develop.

For this reason, when a parent or caregiver initiates therapy for their child, they will be asked to attend the Initial Assessment Session without their child, regardless of the child's age. This provides an opportunity for the practitioner to develop a thorough understanding of the child's history, current concerns, developmental experiences and family relationships.

Parents and caregivers will also participate in periodic parent feedback sessions throughout their child's treatment. These appointments provide an opportunity to share clinical insights, strengthen understanding of their child's emotional needs and explore practical ways to support therapeutic progress at home.

The frequency of parent sessions will be recommended by your practitioner and guided by ongoing assessment of your child's psychological functioning and therapeutic needs.

We believe that supporting children also means supporting the important relationships around them, while carefully considering confidentiality, safety and each young person's individual circumstances.

Can you work with my child's school or other healthcare providers?

Yes. Where appropriate and with the necessary consent, our practitioners may collaborate with schools, GPs, paediatricians and other professionals involved in your child's care.

We recognise that children exist within a network of important relationships and environments, and that working collaboratively can help create a more consistent and supportive approach to their wellbeing.

Any collaboration is considered carefully, with your child's therapeutic needs and privacy at the centre of our decisions.

Appointments, Fees & Medicare

How much does an appointment cost?

Our session fees vary depending on your practitioner's qualifications and the type of appointment.

We believe it's important that you have a clear understanding of the financial aspects of therapy before beginning.

You can find a comprehensive overview of our session fees, Medicare rebates and private health insurance information on our [Fees & Rebates] page.

Can I claim a Medicare rebate?

Medicare rebates are available for eligible psychological and mental health social work services under the Better Access initiative, provided you have a valid referral and meet Medicare's eligibility requirements.

The rebate amount and number of subsidised sessions available will depend on the type of service, your practitioner's qualifications and current Medicare arrangements.

For more information about eligibility, referrals and available rebates, please visit our [Fees & Rebates] page.

Can I use my private health insurance?

Depending on your private health insurance policy and level of cover, you may be eligible to claim benefits for psychological or counselling services.

As individual policies vary, we recommend confirming your entitlements directly with your health insurer.

You can find further information about private health insurance and claiming options on our [Fees & Rebates] page.

Do you offer online appointments?

Telehealth appointments may be available with participating practitioners, allowing you to access psychological support remotely.

For some people, online therapy offers greater flexibility and convenience, while others prefer the experience of meeting face to face.

Our Intake Team can help you explore which options are available and most appropriate for your needs.

What happens if I need to cancel or reschedule my appointment?

We understand that circumstances change and that you may occasionally need to adjust an appointment.

We ask that you provide as much notice as possible so that your appointment can be offered to another client who may be waiting for support.

Our Administration & Client Support Team will explain our cancellation policy and any applicable fees when arranging your appointment.

Taking the Next Step

I'm not sure where to begin. Can someone help me?

Absolutely.

You don't need to have everything figured out before getting in touch.

Our Intake Team is here to listen, answer your questions and help you explore the support that may be most appropriate for you or your family.

We understand that finding the right psychological support is a personal decision, and we're committed to making that experience feel as thoughtful, comfortable and supportive as possible.