ONLINE THERAPY

INTERNET THERAPY

Corporate and Personal Consulting is now offering consultations over the internet. Consultations are in real time, and can occur via chatting or web cam on Windows Live Messenger.

To be able to access consultations of this type you will need a computer with Windows Live Messenger installed, and you will need a hotmail address. If you wish to have the session via web-cam you will also need to install that hardware on your computer.

Before a session can take place the following consent form needs to be downloaded, completed and returned signed. It will also be necessary for your therapist to check that the contact details you provide are accurate.

You will need to contact our office to book in a consultation, and tell the receptionist that you are booking a session by internet.

Please note that we cannot offer all services by internet, and services provided over the internet are not eligible for Medicare rebates.

If you have any questions please phone 03 8317 0444 or e-mail simonkinsella@cpc.com.au

SETTING UP FOR INTERNET THERAPY SESSIONS

WHAT YOU WILL NEED

1. A computer that can support MSN Live Messenger
2. An internet connection (preferably ADSL or Broadband)
3. MSN Live Messenger Go to http://get.live.com/messenger/features > >
4. A Hotmail account
5. A web cam (preferable)

BEFORE YOUR SESSION

1. Complete and return the informed consent form. Note that your psychologist will have to be satisfied that you have provided all the information required on that form.
2. Book a consultation time (remember you are meeting with a psychologist in real time)
3. Expect a call from Corporate and Personal Consulting staff confirming your appointment will go ahead.

AT THE BEGINNING OF YOUR SESSION

1. Ensure you are at your computer, with it switched on and connected to the internet.
2. Your psychologist will contact you via the internet, but have your telephone handy in case there are any technical problems.

AT THE END OF YOUR SESSION

1. Make sure you book any further sessions you might need.
2. You must settle your account. Payment can be made in the course of the consultation by credit card.

FEES

Individuals are expected to pay fees at the end of each session.

Payments by companies are organised prior to services being provided, and are expected to be paid monthly.

For prices, please contact our reception staff on 8317 0444.

APPOINTMENTS

Bookings can be made by calling the office any time on 8317 0444. If you call when our phone is unattended please leave a message, including your name and a phone number, and a staff member will contact you as soon as possible.

CANCELLATIONS AND MISSED APPOINTMENTS

If you are unable to attend an appointment for any reason you must make the cancellation at least 1 full working day prior to the appointment. Missed appointment and cancellation fees are charged if insufficient notice is given

NEW MEDICARE REBATE

Changes to Better Access to Mental Health Care initiative

How this will affect referrals to Psychologists and patient treatment plans?
What are the changes?

The Federal Government recently announced funding cuts to the Better Access Initiative in the 2011 Budget. These changes are in effect as of the 1st November 2011. Due to these changes, there has been a decrease in the number of treatment sessions that a patient can receive from a psychologist each year under the Better Access initiative.

Under the previous arrangements, people could access a maximum of 18 sessions of treatment from a psychologist each year and receive Medicare rebates. This treatment was available in two lots of six sessions following a review of progress by the referring doctor, with a further six sessions available under exceptional circumstances

How has this changed?

As of November 1st 2011, the new cap of 10 allowable sessions (6 + 4) per calendar has been introduced. This means that after the initial 6 sessions, the additional 4 sessions can be accessed after review by the referring medical practitioner. There are no ‘additional circumstances’ that allow additional sessions beyond the 10 allowable sessions per year.

In addition to the 10 allowable individual sessions, each client is eligible for a total of 10 group sessions per calendar year. This also comes into effect on November 1st 2011.

How will this impact upon existing clients?

As of 1st November 2011, a client who has already accessed 10 or more individual sessions and/or 10 or more group sessions in this calendar year will not be eligible for any further psychological services under Better Access until 1 January 2012. As per existing arrangements, a new referral would be required for the client to access psychological services in the new calendar year. The client would be eligible for a maximum of 10 individual sessions and/or 10 group sessions in the 2012 calendar year.

For more information, go to http://www.psychology.org.au/ and look at the Medicare information there.

General psychology Medicare items

Focused Psychological Strategies

Referral requirements	Client must be referred by a GP, psychiatrist or paediatrician
Eligible clients	People with an assessed mental disorder (excluding dementia, delirium, tobacco use disorder and mental retardation) that is being managed by a GP under a GP Mental Health Care Plan or a psychiatrist assessment and management plan; or on direct referral by a psychiatrist or paediatrician from an eligible Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) service
Services to be provided	Provision of approved Focused Psychological Strategies (FPS) Psycho-education (including motivational interviewing) Cognitive behaviour therapy, including: Behavioural interventions - behaviour modification; exposure techniques; activity scheduling Cognitive interventions - cognitive therapy Relaxation strategies - progressive muscle relaxation; controlled breathing Skills training - problem solving skills and training; anger management; social skills training; communication training; stress management; parent management training Interpersonal therapy (especially for depression)

	20-50 mins	>50 mins	Group (6-10 people) 60 mins plus
Scheduled fee	$62.50	$88.20	$22.45
Rebate	$53.15	$75.00	$19.10

Scheduled fee (professional attendance at a place other than consulting rooms	$84.95	$110.70
Rebate (professional attendance at a place other than consulting rooms)	$72.25	$94.10

Specialist clinical psychology Medicare items

Psychological therapy

Referral requirements	Client must be referred by a GP, psychiatrist or paediatrician
Eligible clients	People with an assessed mental disorder (excluding dementia, delirium, tobacco use disorder and mental retardation) that is being managed by a GP under a GP Mental Health Care Plan or a psychiatrist assessment and management plan; or on direct referral by a psychiatrist or paediatrician from an eligible Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) service
Services to be provided	Provision of psychological therapies and associated assessment. In addition to psycho-education, it is recommended that cognitive behaviour therapy be provided. However, other evidence-based therapies, such as interpersonal therapy, may be used if considered clinically relevant.

Rebates and Fees

	20-50 mins	>50 mins	Group (6-10 people) 60 mins plus
Scheduled fee	$88.20	$129.40	$32.90 per person
Rebate	$75.00	$110.00	$28.00 per person
Scheduled fee (professional attendance at a place other than consulting rooms)	$110.20	$151.40
Rebate (professional attendance at a place other than consulting rooms)	$93.70	$128.70

YOUR RIGHTS

Qualified psychologists are committed to providing quality care and treatment for clients. Promoting the rights and responsibilities of clients is an important part of this commitment.

A client of Corporate and Personal Consulting is a person (child, adolescent, or adult) receiving the service.

The Australian Psychological Society and the Psychologists Registration Board of Victoria has a code of practice (based on legislation) which sets out clients' rights and responsibilities.

As a client of these services you have the right to:

1. be treated with dignity and respect regardless of cultural background or other personal beliefs;
2. receive a competent and professional service
3. be involved in the planning, implementation and evaluation of your treatment (including clarification of your treatment goals and the number of session required);
4. be given clear explanations of the treatment and\or tests being recommended, (including any risks and alternative options);
5. receive a clear explanation of all costs involved
6. refuse treatment (unless subject to mental health legislation);
7. the information you give to any therapist to be treated in the strictest confidence and to only be shared with those who are directly involved in your primary care. In circumstances where, in the opinion of your therapist, there is an issue of concern about the safety of yourself or another person, the therapist has a legal duty to follow Department of Human Services regulations by making a notification of the concern to the appropriate authorities.
8. request the services of an advocate or interpreter at any stage during treatment if, for example, you have difficulty hearing or if English is not your first language
9. give your consent for release of any information from the case file to another person or agency. Wherever possible your wishes will be respected. In rare and specific circumstances, should the file be subpoenaed to appear in court, the therapist is obliged to make contents of the file available to the court;
10. request a second opinion from another therapist;
11. receive a service without sexual harassment, exploitation or coercion
12. make a complaint about the type of service you are receiving, either to the service or to an external complaints body

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

As a client of Corporate and Personal Consulting, and as far as you are able, it is your responsibility to:

1. inform your therapist about your relevant medical history;
2. ask for a clear explanation of the treatment and\or tests being recommended;
3. become involved in the planning, implementation and evaluation of your treatment;
4. ask about the consequences or alternatives for you should you refuse the recommended treatment;
5. make every effort to attend appointments arranged;
6. let the service know if you are unable to keep your appointment (a cancellation fee is charged with less than 1 full working days notice);
7. inform the service of any difficulties with the treatment being proposed because of religious, cultural, language, ethnicity, gender or other factors;
8. respect the rights, property and privacy of other clients;

WORKCOVER/TAC/VOCAT

Psychologists at Corporate and Personal Consulting are registered to provide services to patients with claims through the Victorian Workcover Authority, the Transport Accident Commission in Victoria, and the Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal. In most cases people who have moved to Victoria from other states can also access our services through the equivalent authorities in their previous home states. To make an appointment for a consultation contact our reception staff.

If you are unsure whether your existing claim will cover our services we suggest you contact the relevant authority and discuss the matter with them first. In most cases a referral from a medical practitioner is also required.

FEEDBACK

We value your feedback about our services. If you are happy with the service let us know. If you have constructive suggestions to make, we would be pleased to hear.

If you were unhappy with any aspect of our service we would also like to know. The first person to speak to regarding problems with our service is your therapist. If you are uncomfortable speaking to your therapist about the problem you may like to make an anonymous suggestion by sending a letter. Alternatively, contact the Psychologists Registration Board of Victoria to make a formal complaint or enquiry about what is regarded to be appropriate psychological service.

To help us improve our services we invite you to fill out our Feedback Form. This is available as a PDF file which can be downloaded from this website or please ask your therapist for a Form when visiting our practice.

FEEDBACK FORM - PDF

* PDF files can be viewed in Adobe Acrobat Reader.
If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed you can download it directly from Adobe.
Click the link below. This is a free download.

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