Frequently asked questions

1. What are psychologists?

• experts in the science of human behaviour
• have studied the brain, memory, learning
• have studied the ways people feel and react
• must be registered like doctors and lawyers
• mostly members of the Australian Psychological Society (MAPS)
• observe the code of ethics of the Society, which means they are bound by principles based on honesty and integrity
• psychologists are not psychiatrists - psychiatrists are medical doctors and can prescribe medication

2. What is cognitive behaviour therapy?

Cognitive behaviour therapy (or CBT for short) has a number of important components, including:
a) CBT uses models to help you develop a new understanding of your difficulties;
b) CBT is skills-based, so it encourages the development of new skills to manage difficulties;
c) CBT is a structured treatment, ensuring that therapy is efficient and remains focussed;
d) CBT deals with the "here and now", focusing on factors that are maintaining the problem, rather than what started it. Since you cannot change the past, CBT deals with factors in the present that you can control;
e) The most important treatment component of CBT is "homework" that is completed between sessions. The homework exercises are designed to help you practice skills learned in treatment sessions. This helps make progress as rapid as possible and helps you to develop a sense of control in your ability to manage difficulties.
More detailed information about CBT can be found on the resources page.

3. What is interpersonal psychotherapy?

Interpersonal psychotherapy (or IPT for short) is effective in the treatment of long term depression. It does not work as quickly as CBT, but its effectiveness grows with time, i.e. as people improve their relationships they become happier. Treatment is slightly less structured than CBT. The focus of treatment is relationships, both specific relationships and issues related to relationships, such as grief, anger, dependency or lack of assertiveness. IPT deals with the "here and now", focusing on current relationships or relationship issues. At the end of each session you and your therapist will reach a conclusion which will help you view your relationship issues differently and which will help guide your future behaviour in your relationships.

4. What is schema therapy?

Schema therapy is a cognitive behavioural approach which helps people with problems which have troubled them ever since they were a teenager. It helps people identify patterns of behaviour, thoughts and feelings which may have once been useful, but which are now getting in the way of their happiness. It includes

• a thought-based stage which identifies long standing problematic thought patterns and develops alternatives
• a feeling-based stage which helps people identify where they obtained the problematic patterns and helps them get in touch with how they felt when that occurred; and
• a behaviour-based stage which helps people move on and apply their new found thoughts and feelings to develop new behaviours in their current and future life.

Schema therapy ideally takes a year or more of weekly sessions, but we try to condense it as much as possible to fit into the Medicare scheme. For more information about schema therapy, please visit schematherapy.com.

5. What is mindfulness-based cognitive therapy?

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (or MBCT for short) is a meditation-based approach which has been found to help people who have suffered from several episodes of major depressive disorder. It also helps people with pain management. It consists of learning how to notice what is happening, without judging it. To be effective, it requires a large amount of homework (up to 90 minutes per day), to practice the meditation approach which you will learn.

6. Can psychologists prescribe anti-depressant or anti-anxiety medications?

Psychologists in Australia cannot prescribe medications. Your GP or a psychiatrist can help you with this.

7. Do I need a referral from my GP?

If you wish to receive a Medicare rebate, you will need to ask your GP or psychiatrist to prepare a 'mental health care plan' before you come to see us (see more about this below). Otherwise you can ring us directly for an appointment.

8. Do you see children?

Jon Visoiu sees adolescents. Rosie Bickel does not see children, but does see teenage girls over the age of 13.

9. How long does treatment usually last?

Cognitive behaviour therapy and interpersonal psychotherapy are designed to be brief approaches. Many people are able to achieve significant benefit after 6 to 18 sessions. However, the length of treatment will depend on the severity of symptoms and the number of conditions being treated. Schema therapy is a longer approach and can last up to one year of weekly sessions.

10. Can I bring my partner and/or children?

We will discuss with you that you might bring your partner along if we think it will benefit your treatment. We may also decide that family therapy would be helpful to you. Otherwise, all sessions will occur with you alone. There is no facility to leave children unattended and good work in sessions is very difficult if young children are accompanying you.

11. Will our discussion be confidential?

Unless you give permission to provide feedback to your own doctor all details of our discussion will remain confidential. Psychologists, however, are compelled by law to inform relevant authorities if you reveal serious intent to harm yourself or others.

12. How much does treatment cost?

Rosie Bickel
Mental health care plan: The rate per 55 minute session is $140.00. If the first session has been negotiated to be 75 minutes long, it costs $160.00. You will receive a Medicare rebate of $122.15 per session.
Other: The rate per 55 minute session is $130.00. If the first session has been negotiated to be 75 minutes long, it costs $160.00.

Jon Visoiu
Mental health care plan: The rate per 55 minute session is $130.00. You will receive a Medicare rebate of $83.25 per session.
Other: The rate per 55 minute session is $130.00.

13. What payment methods do you accept?

We accept payment by cash, cheque or credit card.

14. What happens if I cannot come to my appointment?

Unfortunately the ability to meet ongoing business costs becomes difficult if there is not adequate notice to offer the appointed time set aside for you to another client. It is therefore necessary to charge a 50% cancellation fee if you cannot provide at least 2 days' notice of any appointment you are unable to attend. Of course, in extenuating circumstances this cancellation fee will not be charged.

15. How does the Medicare rebate work?

From November 2006 the Government has made it easier for people in need to access appropriate psychological treatment for mental health issues through the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS). To be eligible to claim a Medicare rebate you first need to be referred by a GP or psychiatrist (i.e., you will need a 'mental health care plan' from that doctor). Please bring this referral with you to your first appointment. Under this scheme you may be entitled to up to 12 sessions per calendar year (18 for exceptional cases). That is, you can claim a rebate for these (12/18) sessions, after which any further sessions will not be rebate accessible through Medicare. However, if you have private health insurance (see below), you may be able to make use of that for any further sessions.

Please note: If you have been referred by a doctor and you are claiming the Medicare rebate (under the MBS) for your sessions, you cannot use your private health insurance ancillary cover to top up your Medicare rebate. If you are in this position, you need to decide whether you use your private health fund cover or Medicare, as you cannot use both at the same time.

16. Can I receive a rebate from my private health fund?

If you are a member of a private health fund offering rebates for psychological services (or extras / ancillary cover), then you will be able to claim a proportion of the fee - subject to your level of coverage. You may wish to check these details with your specific health fund.

17. What are the available appointment times?

Appointments are available Monday-Thursday starting at 9:00am and the last appointment time is 5.30 pm.

18. How can appointments be arranged?

Contact Bickel & Visoiu Psychologists directly on 03 63317755 to arrange an appointment.