Information Sheet
Welcome, and please feel free to ask any questions relating to this information during your initial consultation. This information is also available online at www.sincerepsychology.com.au.
Experience and qualifications
Psychologists registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency require a minimum of 6 years of training. Kerry's qualifications include a Diploma of Counselling from Bower Place in 2013, a Bachelor of Psychological Science from Flinders University in 2018 and a Graduate Diploma of Psychology Advanced from Monash University in 2019. Kerry registered with AHPRA in 2019 and is a member of the Australian Association of Psychologists Inc (AAPi). She maintains experience through peer supervision and continued professional development.
Kerry's approach to psychological counselling
Kerry approaches therapy in a person-centred manner, creating a unique therapeutic approach in collaboration with each client. She has a particular interest in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and Mindfulness-Based Therapy. Kerry is committed to providing quality service by maintaining the highest professional and ethical standards and prides herself on providing client-centred, confidential, and evidence-based service. You will likely be invited to undertake some tasks between sessions. It will be important for you to attempt these to produce an effective outcome.
Keeping appointments
Understandably, sometimes appointments must be rescheduled due to unforeseen circumstances. However, it is crucial that you provide as much notice as possible so that cancelled appointments can be offered to other clients needing a consultation. A cancellation fee may be charged if appointments are missed with less than 48 hours notice. This fee will be the client's responsibility, not that of other paying parties (except NDIS).
The psychologist reserves the whole hour when appointments are booked, especially for you. Therefore, we require 48 hours notice, and the following cancellation policy is in place to allow us to offer the allocated time to another person who may be on a waiting list for that appointment.
We understand that sometimes you may be unable to keep an appointment because of a sudden illness or an unexpected personal emergency. If this happens to you, please contact us as soon as possible to explain the situation. You may call our office anytime, even after hours, as we have an answering service that allows you to leave a message.
The APS recommended cancellation fees are:
A late cancelled appointment is a loss to three people
Please note: Clients are encouraged to schedule appointments ahead of time in order to attend on a regular basis; however, if two appointments are missed and no notification is provided in advance, ALL future appointments will be cancelled.
Contact and Emergencies
You are welcome to make contact by phone or email between sessions. However, emergency service is not provided, so there may be some delay before you receive a response. Emergency phone numbers for people experiencing acute mental health problems are:
Mental Health Triage (Crisis Intervention for Suicide) Lifeline: Phone 13 14 65
For families and children, contact: Phone 13 11 14
Crisis Care: Phone 13 16 11
Kids Helpline: Phone 1800 55 1800
Costs
At Sincere Psychology, we believe in providing an affordable service for clients with competitive fees. The current Australian Psychological Society (APS) recommended fee is $300 per hour. A full APS fee schedule can be found here.
Paying agencies (e.g. Workcover, MAC, CTP etc.)
Accounts will be sent directly to the paying agency, such as Workcover or the Motor Accident Commission, where there is a claim. Please provide your Case Manager's name and Claim Number before your first appointment. If the claim is not approved at the time of the visit, the client is responsible for the account and must discuss reimbursement with their Claims Manager.
Medicare
Under the Better Access to Mental Health Scheme, clients referred by their General Practitioner to a Mental Health Care Plan will receive a rebate of $96.65. All Australians are now eligible for ten Medicare-funded appointments per calendar year.
Please note: If you wish to continue with therapy after the number of sessions on your GP referral has been completed, you must obtain a new referral from your GP before your next appointment with Kerry. If a new referral is not in place, Medicare will not cover the session, and the cost of the session will be billed to the client at $190.00 as a Private Paying Client.
Service Fees:
The standard service fee is $190.00, to be settled on the day of each consultation. For clients holding a Concession card, the cost is reduced to $140.00. The complete fee is expected on the consultation day, with a Medicare rebate of $96.65 processed and promptly returned to the client within 48 hours if their bank account is linked with Medicare.
Payment options include cash and electronic processing via Visa debit/credit card or PayPal.
Privately Paying Clients (not covered under Medicare)
The fee for Privately Paying Clients not covered by Medicare is $190.00, some of which can usually be claimed back if you have Private Health Cover. It is a good idea to check with your Private Health Fund before your visit to see if you are eligible for a rebate for Psychology.
NDIS Clients
Self-Managed NDIS clients will be charged on the consultation day using the relevant NDIS fee schedule codes. Please discuss the fee with Kerry before your first appointment.
Plan Managed NDIS clients will have their account for payment sent directly to the organisation handling their Plan.
Private health fund rebates
It is your responsibility to check your coverage and eligibility with your private health fund and confirm if rebates apply to your psychological service. Unfortunately, we are unable to let you know how much your private health will be able to cover unless we have your physical card present to process a quote. Alternatively, you can contact your Private Health company to see how much they will cover your sessions.
Reports
If you require a report to be provided by your psychologist, this will involve an additional cost and should be discussed with the psychologist.
Privacy policy
The following is the policy for managing personal information, which is consistent with the legal requirements of the National Privacy Principles from the Privacy Act (1988).
Purpose of collecting and holding information
Information gathered will be directly related to the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of the client's condition. The information is securely stored and will only be seen by the psychologist. The information is recorded in order to document what has happened during each appointment and enables the psychologist to provide relevant and informed psychological services. It also contains personal information such as name, address, contact phone number, and other information pertinent to the psychological service being provided.
Access to client information
A brief report will be sent to your GP regarding your relevant clinical information and your treatment, as required by Medicare. By signing this information sheet, you give permission for Kerry Gardner to exchange information relevant to the services provided to me with the General Practitioner or Organisation who referred me.
As a client, you may request access to the information kept about you on file. This material will be released to you unless relevant legislation provides otherwise.
Your psychologist may discuss your information with others only if:
a) A court subpoenas it or if disclosure is otherwise required or authorised by law; or
b) Failure to disclose the information would place you or another person at serious and imminent risk; or
c) Your approval has been obtained to provide a written report to another professional or agency. e.g. specialist or lawyer; or
d) Your prior approval has been obtained to discuss the material with another person, e.g. a parent or employer.
Permission to Process Medicare Bulk Bill (if appropriate)
By signing the information sheet, you give permission for Kerry Gardner to bill Medicare for your visits on your behalf.
Confidentiality
All personal information gathered by the psychologist during the provision of the psychological service will remain confidential and secure except where there is a serious or imminent risk to the client or another person or the information is required by the law.
Privacy in online communications
The security of technology makes any form of communication via the internet or a mobile device potentially vulnerable and limited in terms of privacy. For example, there is no guarantee that therapy sessions conducted via Telehealth are completely secure and free of potential interference. Email communication is not always secure, and personal information should be kept to a minimum. Email is used for administrative purposes, such as scheduling appointments; otherwise, generally not used.
Use of therapy session materials
Sessions will not be reordered or material used from our sessions for any purpose other than delivering a service to you. It is requested that you provide the same privacy by agreeing not to record the sessions or use materials from the sessions for purposes other than therapy. You must first obtain permission if you want to record sessions or use session material for other purposes.Telehealth
Privacy Concerns
If you have a concern about the management of your personal information, please inform the psychologist. The National Privacy Principles can be found at http://www.privacy .gov.au/publications/nppsOl.html Ultimately, if you wish to lodge a formal complaint about the use of, or access to, your personal information, you may do so with the: Office of the Federal Privacy Commissioner on 1300 363 992, or GPO Box 5218, Sydney, NSW 1042.
General Complaints
If you are dissatisfied with any aspect of the service, please first consult with your psychologist. Formal complaints can be lodged with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency's Psychological Board of Australia.
Contact details are as follows:
Location: Level 1, 128 King William Street, Adelaide, SA 5000
Postal: AHPRA, GPO BOX 9958, Adelaide SA 5001
Telephone: 1300 419 495
Charter for Clients of Psychologists
A Charter explaining your rights as a client of a psychologist is available on request.
Please Note: If, after reading this document, you need clarification on what is written, please discuss it with your psychologist.
This information is correct as of 12th October 2024 and is subject to change.
Copyright © 2024 Kerry Gardner - All Rights Reserved.