The following information is useful in helping you to prepare for your appointment - including our policies relating to our services and other information that you may find helpful.

Please take the time to read through this information to ensure you can make the most of your time with Donna.

Client Confidentiality

Client information is treated with strictest confidentiality; while information is gathered and kept in client folders it is not accessible to other providers.

Client Confidentiality and Appointment Contract Form

Reports may be provided to your referring GP when services are accessed through GP Mental Health Care Plans. Details of the report will be discussed with you first, and a copy of the report can be made available to you.

Your counsellor may be able to provide a report to other professionals however, this will be at her discretion, and a fee will be charged at the Standard Rate for Reports by Social Workers, and must be paid in advance. The cost of reports to other professionals are not included in the Medicare Psychological Services, or Mental Health Care Plan referral from GPs.

Limitations to Confidentiality, Information Sharing Form

Limitations to child client confidentiality may apply when your child has been referred through their school via the student services team members (please discuss this with Donna on initial contact).

All information provided by you is treated in strict confidence, and cannot be released to anyone without your permission. The only exceptions may be where a court subpoenas the records for testimony in a case in which you are involved, or if you, your child/children or other family/community members are considered at risk. If one of these rare events occurred, Donna would attempt to discuss it with you beforehand.

Cancellation Policy

From time to time for whatever reason, clients may not be able to make their agreed appointment. To postpone or cancel your appointment please phone Donna 24hrs prior to your allocated time, this will enable Donna to reallocate that time, and to reschedule another appointment for you.

Clients who do not give appropriate prior notice will incur a standard consultation fee charge which is not covered by Medicare.

Payment Policy

Payment is expected at time of consultation, a receipt will be issued.

Clients who are able to access psychological services through GP Mental Health Care Plans, have access to a specific number of counselling sessions and may claim Medicare rebates. Some services may require gap payments, and other services may be bulk billed, please enquire with Donna.

About your appointment

Having committed to enter into counselling your time is valuable and important.

To make the most of your time the Initial Information Form can be posted to you prior to your initial appointment. Adult clients usually require 1 hour of allocated time. It is important to arrive a few minutes early, and remember to turn off your mobile phone.

24 hours notice must be given to cancel or reschedule your appointment see Cancellation Policy above.

If you have children remember to make care arrangements well ahead of time to make the most of our time together.

Donna specialises in child counselling, children's appointments are usually 30-40 minutes in duration, and parents or carers are expected to wait for their child for the allocated time.

Children's appointments are available through an outreach service to eligible schools. Please enquire about eligibility.

Claiming through Medicare

Adults who access services through eligible GP Mental Health Care Plans may have part of the cost of their counselling sessions paid for by Medicare, these payments may be bulk billed. Gap payments may apply and must be paid for at the time of the consultation. Psychological services provided to children through GP Mental Health Care Plan referrals may have their counselling sessions bulk billed (conditions apply).

Claiming through private health funds

Please check with your private health provider as eligibility requirements for allied health services including psychological or counselling services vary.