Frequently Asked Questions

What is Integrative Therapy?

Integrative Therapy is drawn from different schools of psychotherapy under the guidance of German philosopher, professor, clinical practitioner, researcher, scholar, and teacher (Hilarion Petzold). Prof. Dr. Petzold together with other notable founders of psychotherapies at that time in Europe, Bioenergetics (Alexander Lowen), Gestalt Therapy (Perls), Family Therapy (Virginia Satir), Psychodrama (Moreno) and others came together to realise a school that transcended traditional psychotherapies to form the Fritz Perls Institute for Integrative Therapy (FPI) in Germany. Integrative Therapy is a biopsychosocial develop-mental model that is context-oriented and on a continuum of health-disease model found in clinical social sciences, psychiatry, psychology, and medicine. It also provides a multi-perspectival and intersubjectivity concept of human beings from anthropological, philosophical & sociological perspective that considers all the dimensions of the human condition and existence across the lifespan.

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As an Integrative Psychotherapist, trained in body movement therapy, clinical social sciences, existential phenomenological practice, gestalt therapy, family and systems therapy, somatic experiencing, trauma field, including neuropsychotherapy, it has provided me with divergent and integrative therapeutic models to work with the all the dimensions of the person towards more of an embodied self.

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Do I need to have a Referral to see you?

No. It is not necessary for you to have a referral for counselling. Following an initial enquiry (phone call, general contact or via online referral) a brief consult (no fees) will be offered to assess whether it is a good fit for both the client-therapist and to ascertain how best we can support your needs and to schedule an initial appointment. If you wish to proceed with making an appointment, then it is requested that you complete the online referral so that we have some information prior to our first meeting.

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Which Referral do I submit?

Please submit an online referral that is relevant to your specific identified needs for services:

• Integrative Psychotherapy & Counselling Services incl. Training or Supervision

• NDIS Psychosocial Disabilities

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Do you accept Referrals from trainee-student counsellors/psychotherapists for personal therapy, placements, or clinical supervision?

Personal Therapy or Placements – No. Unfortunately we do not have capacity at present to accept trainee-student counsellors/psychotherapists for therapy or placements.​

Clinical Supervision – Yes. For registered counsellors or psychotherapists, we have the capacity to provide clinical supervision to support the practitioner’s therapeutic practice.

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What is Informed Consent, Privacy & Confidentiality?

As part of the provision of counselling or psychotherapy services to you, Melbourne Integrative Psychotherapy collects and records personal information relevant to your care. This information collected will include (but may not be limited to) your name, medical history, and other relevant information as deemed appropriate. Your personal information is gathered as part of the assessment and treatment process. All of this is kept securely.

Australian Counselling Association (ACA), Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW), Dance Therapy Association of Australasia (DTAA), National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), Code of Ethics are embedded in the provision of services, and guidelines to the professional conduct are in line with these professional bodies. Your personal information is retained to document what occurs during sessions and enables the therapist to record relevant information pertaining to your treatment over the period of service. You are entitled to access your personal information kept on file at any time.

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What are the Limits to Confidentiality?

All personal information gathered by the therapist during the provision of the counselling or psychotherapy services will remain confidential except where:

• it is subpoenaed by a court; or

• failure to disclose the information would, in the reasonable belief of Melbourne Integrative Psychotherapy & Counselling, place you or another person at serious risk to life, health or safety; or

• your prior approval has been obtained to: provide a written report to another professional or agency, GP, psychologist, or lawyer; or discuss the material with another person, e.g. partner, child, health provider or supervisor; or disclose the information in another way

• you would reasonably expect your personal information to be disclosed to another professional or agency (e.g. your GP) and disclosure of your personal information to that third party is for a purpose which is directly related to the primary purpose for which your personal information was collected; or

• disclosure is otherwise required or authorized by law; or

• when consulting with nominated clinical supervisor, your therapist will be required to conceal your identity and any associated parties involved; and to preserve your privacy at the utmost professional manner in accordance with the ACA, AASW, DTAA, NDIS Code of Ethics.

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What happens at the Initial Appointment?

During your initial session, we will discuss your concerns and explain how therapy works; complete standard assessments to ascertain symptoms, discuss treatment plan, preferred therapeutic modality & interventions. Duration of appointments - 50 mins.

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What if I need to Cancel the Appointment?

Melbourne Integrative Psychotherapy & Counselling provides the highest quality of care and we will try to re-schedule your appointment where sufficient notice is given. Please let us know as soon as possible if you are unable to attend your scheduled appointment. This does enable us to provide services to other clients who may need an urgent appointment.

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For cancellations without sufficient notice or no-shows please refer to the cancellation fess below.

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Cancellation Fees

If you are unable to attend your appointment cancellation fees apply as follows:

• 24 hrs notice or less – 75% fees

• 48 hrs notice or more – no fees

Cancellation fees may be waived dependent upon individual circumstances. Please do not hesitate to discuss with us personally if there are extenuating circumstances that you are not able to give the required notice.

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What is the Medicare Scheme and how do I get a Mental Health Care Plan?

Medicare is the scheme that gives Australian residents access to universal healthcare. It gives all Australians and some people from overseas a wide range of health and hospital services at low cost. Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) initiative aims to improve outcomes for people with a clinically diagnosed mental disorder through evidence-based treatment. Medicare rebates are available up to (10) individual and (10) group allied mental health services per calendar year who are referred by: GP under a Mental Health Treatment Plan or Psychiatrist or Paediatrician to registered Mental Health Social Workers to provide Focussed Psychological Strategies (FPS) therapy services. COVID-19 under the Better Access Pandemic Support measure has provided an additional (10) individual therapy sessions – with a maximum of (20) sessions available up until 30 June 2022.

To obtain a GP Mental Health Care Plan, make an appointment with your GP practice requesting a referral for counselling which will require a longer consultation with your GP to complete a comprehensive mental health assessment. Your GP will discuss your specific mental health issues, most likely request that you complete an K10 assessment which will assist the GP to understand your current psychological state and emotional wellbeing and
may ask if you have been suicidal at any time, these questions form the Mental Health Care Treatment Plan. Onforward a copy of the MHCP via email or bring it with you on your first visit with the therapist.

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Who can provide Focussed Psychological Services (FPS) under a Mental Health Care Plan?

Accredited Mental Health Social Workers are registered providers with Medicare Australia. They have been assessed as having specialist mental health expertise to deliver clinical social work services and evidence-based psychological strategies. Accredited Mental Health Social Workers have a breadth of experience in assessing and treating people who have mild to moderate and complex mental health conditions and co-morbidity issues. Patients seeking Medicare rebates for focused psychological strategies – allied mental health services will need to have a referral from a GP, Medical Practitioner, Psychiatrist or Paediatrician.

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How much is the Medicare Rebate and how do I claim the Rebate?

The Medicare Rebate is $77.10. Following the appointment, invoices will be issued, once payment is complete a receipt will be issued which then you can claim the Medicare rebate of $77.10 directly from myGov account linked to Medicare.
Please see below for more information:

• https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/medicare

• Medicare Program Ph: 132011 for assistance.

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What other Allied Health Mental Health Therapy Services/Programs can you provide?

As a registered Allied Health Mental Health Provider, counselling and therapy services can be provided under the following Government-funded Services and Programs:

• Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA)

• Victims of Crime (VOC)

• Teachers Health Fund

• Transport Accident Commission (TAC)

• WorkSafe

• NDIS

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Do you provide services under Private Health Insurance Schemes?

Yes. Please discuss your eligibility to access your private health insurance schemes for therapy, some schemes will only allow clinical psychologists / psychologists to provide services.

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Do you provide After Hours Crisis Response Services?

No. MIPC Therapists are unable to provide after-hours crisis response services, if you are in crisis and need to speak to someone immediately, please refer to the crisis support services who can provide an immediate response 24/7 or call 000.

Kids Help Line: 1800 551 800 / www.kidshelp.com.au
Eheadspace (Young people) / www.eheadspace.org.au
Lifeline: 13 11 14 / www.lifeline.org.au
Mens Line: 1300 789 978 / www.mensline.org.au
Parent Line: 13 22 89 / www.parentline.com.au
Safe Steps Family Violence Response: 1800 015 188 / www.safesteps.org.au
Sane Helpline: 1800 187 263 / www.sane.org
Sexual Assault Crisis Line: 1800 806 292 / www.sacl.com.au
Women’s DV Crisis Service of Victoria: 1800 015 188 / www.safesteps.org.au
Women’s Information and Referral Exchange: 1300 134 130 / www.wire.org.au

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