Psychological Services

Marlies can provide support for a range of issues you may be facing, these may include:

Sessions

Prior to making an appointment, you are welcome to contact Marlies by phone or e-mail to ask questions about her services and how she might be able to help you.

Marlies takes great care to facilitate a relaxed and secure environment in which you can feel safe and trustworthy to discuss private topics. Part of the initial session is a comprehensive assessment which involves getting to know you, discussing your desired outcome and formulating goals and a treatment plan in collaboration with you. Marlies takes a holistic, broad approach when working with clients. Part of the treatment plan may consist of identifying small and manageable changes in your life that have the potential to increase wellness and to support the progress of matters you are dealing with. Marlies will encourage you to engage in a process of self-discovery to gain self-mastery skills and increased resilience to life's challenges.

Sessions will involve a mixture of strategies depending on the issues you are facing. Session times are 1 hour for counselling sessions and up to 1.5 hours for ISIS sessions. The initial interview will take about half an hour longer.

In some situations a home visit may be of benefit and can be negotiated.

Internet video consultations via skype are available as well. Experience has shown that this medium has a great potential for a quality interpersonal space to develop and that despite of the physical distance an atmosphere of emotional holding and support can be passed through the ether. However, internet consultations are not refundable through Medicare.

Confidentiality

Your privacy is valued and respected. This means that all personal information gathered during the provision of the service will remain confidential and securely stored. There are some exemptions though. Disclosure of information will need to be made if:

1) It is subpoenaed by a court, or
2) Failure to disclose information would place you or another person at risk; or
3) Your prior approval has been obtained to
- provide a written report to another professional and/or agency (e.g. a GP
 or lawyer).
- discuss the material with another person (e.g. employer or relative).

Fees

Fees are payable at the end of each session by cash, cheque or on-line via PayPal. Concessions apply if you are not working, are a student or on a pension or may be negotiated in special cases.

Click here if you decide to pay via PayPal, which accepts the following payments: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, ECheck or a PayPal account.

Health Funds

If you have ancillary benefits for psychology with your health fund you are able to claim your consultations.

Medicare Rebate

If you have a referral from your GP you can claim a rebate of $78.40 for up to 12 sessions within a year. If you are 16 years or older and you or your parents are health care card holders and your GP is registered with the Blue Mountains or Hawkesbury Access to Allied Health Project, you will be eligible for bulk-billing under this scheme. When you book your appointment with your GP you need to tell the receptionist to make a long appointment for a Health Care Plan (Item 2710) to ensure your GP has enough time to complete a short questionnaire to qualify you for Medicare benefits.

Cancellations

You will be reminded via sms about your appointment the day before the date. You are required to give 24 hours notice if you need to cancel your appointment otherwise you will be charged the full fee.