How long does a session take?
Generally, sessions are 50min long.
How frequently do I have sessions?
Generally, I recommend weekly sessions as it is my clinical experience that this frequency is the most effective for achieving mental health goals.
What if I have to cancel a session?
If a session is not attended or cancelled within 24hrs (without good reason) the client will be billed for the session. If the client has been referred by Open Arms, Open Arms will be billed for the session and generally Open Arms will only permit a client to cancel at late notice or not attend twice during their episode of care with me. Hence, for Open Arms clients frequent non-attendance or late cancelling will result in the file being closed by me.
What happens if I am referred by Open Arms?
If you are referred by Open Arms the cost of sessions is met by Open Arms and no invoice is provided to the client. Open Arms require of me that I provided a treatment plan regarding each client and regular reviews (generally every 5 sessions). Further, Open Arms expect that therapy be time limited with clearly identified treatment goals and demonstration of progress toward these goals.
What happens if I am referred by my GP under a Mental Health Care Plan?
If you are referred under a Mental Health Care Plan you are entitled to 6 sessions for which Medicare meets part of the cost and the client meets the gap. After 6 sessions it is open to the GP to refer the client back to me for a further 4 sessions for which Medicare meets part of the cost and the client meets the gap. Hence, within a calendar year, under a Mental Health Care Plan a client may receive up to 10 sessions for which Medicare meets part of the cost.
What happens with the information about me?
If you are referred by Open Arms, Open Arms will provide you with details regarding the information held about you during your treatment with me. If you are self-referred or referred by your GP, I will provide you with the details regarding the information held about you during your treatment with me.
How is a psychologist different to a psychiatrist?
A Psychiatrist is a Medical Practitioner who specializes in mental illness. Some Psychiatrists provide counselling and psychological interventions, however generally the priority of the Psychiatrist is to prescribe and manage medications administered for mental illness.
A Psychologist does not prescribe or manage medications for mental illness, but treats mental health issues by way of psychological interventions. Psychological interventions seeks to address mental health issues by changing behaviour and/or the way clients make sense of themselves, others and the world around them.
What is a Clinical Psychologist?
I am a Specialist Clinical Psychologist. I am registered by the Psychology Board, Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Psychology Board, Ahpra). To meet the requirements of her registration in this capacity, Christina is required to remain current with research that is being done in her field of work and to utilize evidence based best practice for her interventions and treatment.
How is a Clinical Psychologist different from other Counsellors?
Clinical Psychologists undergo 8 years of training to be experts in mental health. As such they are skilled in the assessment, diagnosis, formulation and treatment of mental illness. Clinical Psychologists are trained to work with more severe symptoms, symptoms of a “clinical” nature. Generally other Counsellors skilled in addressing emotional, social, vocational, educational, health-related, developmental and organizations challenges that may arise in response to life stressors at various points along the lifespan.
How do I prepare for a session?
Achieving mental health goals is no different to striving to achieve any other goal, such as improving fitness. For example, if I want to improve my fitness I seek advice and have a program of activity and then I need to train. During Psychology sessions programs and strategies are devised and some practice may take place in the session, however it is necessary that between sessions practice is implemented. The nature of the practice will be decided upon during sessions. It might be something like making note of when certain thoughts occur, exposing oneself to an activity that provokes anxiety, doing breathing exercises or visualizations each day, completing Cognitive Processing Therapy worksheets each day (if you are having treatment for PTSD). It is critical for the achievement of mental health goals that you are invested in making changes and that you are interested in your mental health and learning about your mental health and how to optimize it.
What if my sessions are online?
I conduct online sessions using Zoom and prior to the session a link for the session will be emailed to the client. For online sessions make every effort to be on time. Ensure that your technology is functioning. This includes ensuring that your connection is maintained adequately throughout the session and that your camera and microphone are working. Dress in a manner that is consistent with what you would wear if you were attending the session in person. Finally, conduct the session from a place that is private and where there will be no interruptions.
What if I am having a crisis between sessions?
During the initial assessment stage of therapy I will directly ask you about risk of harm to self, harm to others and risk of harm from others. If there is risk in any of these areas I will engage with your regarding a detailed plan as to how the risk is to be addressed between sessions.
Who will know about my sessions?
For those referred under a Mental Health Care Plan, I am required to provide your GP with my conceptualization of your mental health needs, the treatment I am providing and your progress in treatment at specified intervals (for each calendar year it is after 6 then after 4 sessions). For those referred by Open Arms, I am required to provide the same, but generally this occurs after every 5 sessions.
It is not uncommon for me to be of the opinion that it is of benefit that other professionals involved in your treatment be informed of the work we are doing, or I may want to collaborate with other treating professionals in order to ensure you receive best practice care. When this is the situation I will discuss with you what is in your best interest and collaboratively a decision will be made as to what information is exchanged with whom. In order for me to exchange any detailed and identifying information about you with other treating professionals I am required to gain your signed consent.