Question 1

Does an assessment guarantee a diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Undertaking any type of psychological or cognitive assessment does not guarantee a diagnosis or a particular outcome at the end.

Some assessments delivered may be considered a screening assessment only, which means that limited conclusions can be drawn. In order to be a comprehensive assessment, review of clinical history, in particular usually looking at childhood functioning and presentation, completed via structured clinical history interview against DSM-5 criteria will need to be completed either with the referrer or with the assessing clinician. This will also include a medical evaluation by a GP or medical specialist to rule out any disease, biological, genetic, or neurological causation.

Previous school, medical, allied health, vision, and hearing assessment reports should also be reviewed to assist with accurate assessment. Not providing this information may limit the effectiveness of this assessment.

Collateral information will also be gathered from other people in your life who know you well to assist with accurate assessment.

Some assessments may also be altered throughout the course of the assessment, depending on what other factors become apparent during the assessment process.

Question 2

Are there risks associated with completing an assessment?

Accepted Answer

Yes. There are always some risks associated with completing a psychological or cognitive assessment. Depending on personal circumstances and the particular assessments being completed, some of the potential risks associated could include, for example, negatively impacting employment opportunities, restricting future insurance cover, negative consequences on driver's licence, reduction to independence, or experiencing some emotional disturbance while recalling personal historical events as part of the clinical history gathering process.

It is very important that you consider all of the potential risks associated with completing an assessment that are specific to your circumstances prior to undertaking an assessment.

Question 3

What software do I need to access my telehealth appointment?

Accepted Answer

If you're unsure about telehealth, here's a how-to video showing you how easy it is to access your sessions online with Coviu (the secure online platform that is recommended for psychologists and the platform I will be using): https://bit.ly/3ahoLRq 
Once you have a telehealth appointment booked, an email will be sent to you with a link to access your appointment online. Click on the link up to 10 minutes before the session is due to start to start the session and you will be taken to a virtual waiting room.

Question 4

What is your Cancellation Policy?

Accepted Answer

As a courtesy, each client will receive an SMS and email reminder with the date and time of their booked session beforehand. There is the option to respond to these messages and easily cancel if need be. If you need to reschedule, email or call to re-book.

Assessments:
Cancellation with more than 7 days notice - no additional fee ($100 questionnaire fee charged at the time of booking is non-refundable)
Cancellation with less than 7 days notice - full fee of assessment appointment

Therapy with the inclusion of natural environment and animals:
Cancellation with more than 5 days notice - no fee
Cancellation with more than 48 hours notice - $100
Cancellation with less than 48 hours notice or No-Show - full fee of $240

Standard Therapy:
Cancellation with more than 48 hours notice - no fee
Cancellation with less then 48 hours but more than 24 hours notice - $100 fee
Cancellation with less than 24 hours notice or No-Show - full fee of $220

For NDIS Clients who fail to provide 7 days notice to cancel or reschedule prior to their scheduled appointment will incur a cancellation fee equivalent to the full session fee.
Discretion can be used if there are genuine reasons for late notice cancellations such as serious illness.
Please note that Medicare, Private Health Insurance, and other funding packages do not cover cancellation fees.  Late cancellation and failure to attend fees will be charged automatically to client’s credit/debit cards listed on their file, or will be billed for payment within 7 days.

Question 5

What are your fees?

Accepted Answer

Fees vary depending on the service you are engaging in.

Grassroots Psychology charges below the APS recommended fee ($280 ph; https://psychology.org.au/psychology/about-psychology/what-it-costs); a standard therapy session is approximately 50 minutes long, and the fee as of 1st January 2023 is $220. Therapy sessions are booked every hour so strict adherence to appointment length is followed.

Therapy that includes horses and assessment fees differ, as do services for some third parties, and NDIS funded clients. If you are using NDIS funding, you may need to create a service agreement (and potentially other forms of agreements) with your psychologist prior to commencement of therapy. NDIS funded sessions are generally in line with the NDIS price guide: www.ndis.gov.au/providers/price-guides-and-information.

Out-of-office sessions, psychological or cognitive assessment ($250 p/h), report or letter writing ($240 p/h or $120 per page), and any other services other than standard in-office therapy sessions (such as travel [labour and non-labour costs], additional administrative tasks or coordination/planning [$40 per 10 minutes], additional assessment items, or therapy with the inclusion of horses [$240 per session]) will be billed accordingly. Late payment fees also apply.

If requested by a referring practitioner, lawyer or courts, psychological reports can be provided at a cost to the client at the APS recommended rate.

Reduced fees or bulk billing options may be considered, but these services are very limited.

All fees are subject to annual review.

Not all fees are listed here. For specific inofrmation about fees please contact the office to dicsuss.

Question 6

What rebates and funding options are available?

Accepted Answer

Every person and situation is unique. Grassroots Psychology can provide services using funding models such as:
Medicare
NDIS
Workcover
PHN
Private Health Insurance
Department of Child Safety
NCACCH
Privately funded
Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA)/Open Arms

Question 7

Will my session outdoors go ahead in the rain?

Accepted Answer

Therapy outdoors will still be conducted if it is raining, however, if there is severe winds or storms then sessions may be cancelled with short notice. We will always advise clients if sessions need to be cancelled.

Question 8

What clothes do I wear for therapy outside?

Accepted Answer

Dress for the weather! E.g. bring a hat, jumper, raincoat, or gumboots depending on what the weather is doing. Always wear fully enclosed shoes, and clothing you don't mind getting dirty. If you do not have appropriate shoes your session will be limited to what you can do safely.

Question 9

Can I bring my pets to a session?

Accepted Answer

We love animals here! But please do not bring your animals to a session as it will be too difficult for the therapist to manage the safety within the session. Trained assistance dogs are the exception with pre-approval, but must be vaccinated and free of fleas and illnesses, and you must have your own insurance.

Question 10

Will I be riding horses in therapy?

Accepted Answer

No. Therapy facilitated by Grassroots Psychology that includes horses is all conducted off-horse (on the ground).

Question 11

Where are outdoor sessions located?

Accepted Answer

Sessions with horses are offered within the Noosa Hinterland, 30 minutes west from Noosa main beach. There are only limited therapy sessions available during cooler months, usually on a Friday 9am - 12pm. If you would likely benefit from therapy conducted outdoors or in the company of horses your therapist will discuss this with you.

Question 12

What can I expect on testing day?

Accepted Answer

Testing may consist of a variety of activities:
Answering questions
Completing hands-on tasks
Writing
Drawing
Completing puzzles
Testing usually starts at 10am and lasts 2 to 4 hours.
There will be a short break so bring some snacks.
Getting a good night’s sleep the night before is important! Avoid staying up very late, having caffeine the night before, or deviating from your normal routine.
Eat a good breakfast.
Typically medications should be taken as usual on the testing day unless your clinician says otherwise. 
Bring with you some water, and any glasses, hearing aids, or specific items you require to do academic-type work.

Question 13

How can I call the clinic?

Accepted Answer

Grassroots Psychology works primarily through email and online enquiry to ensure all enquiries can be attended to in a timely manner around Jess’ current caseload. However, if you would like to request a call back from our administration manager please CLICK HERE.

Frequently asked questions