Referral Information

Sessions can be attended face-to-face or via telehealth

Private Clients: You don’t need a referral to book an appointment at Dear Mind Psychology. Anyone can self-fund and schedule a session at any time. Full payment is required after each session.

General Practitioner Referrals: You may be eligible for a Medicare rebate for mental health difficulties with a referral from your doctor. To obtain this:

Schedule a long appointment with your Dr
Your Dr will assess your mental health concerns
If eligible, your Dr will prepare a Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP)

Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA): Eligible veterans need:

A referral from a Dr confirming DVA-funded eligibility (D0904 DVA form).
A current DVA Health Card no. (Gold or White)

For assistance, contact DVA: 1800 555 254; www.dva.gov.au

Garrison Health (ADF Personnel): Access services through Medibank Health Solutions with a referral from an ADF Medical Officer; or Open Arms; or DVA.

Open Arms: Veterans & Family members can self-refer by contacting Open Arms on 1800 011 046. It is always best to notify your Dr.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Check with your employer to see if counselling is available.

Private Health Insurance: Self-referral is allowed. If your private health insurance covers psychology, you may be eligible for a rebate. Some insurers use item numbers 100 (initial appointment) & 200 (subsequent appointment), but this varies. Check with your provider for details.

Comcare: Eligible Australian Government employees with work-related injuries can access services with a referral from a Dr.

NDIS: Email referral details from Plan Manager/Self-Managed participants.

WorkCover QLD: Not currently accepted at Dear Mind Psychology.

Telehealth Services are available to all clients, including those in rural or remote areas, via secure video conferencing.

Telehealth may not suit all cases—contact us to discuss your needs.

Fees & Rebates

Psychological Therapy Fees

Invest in your well-being with expert psychological care. While the Australian Psychological Society (APS) recommended rate for 2024-2025 is $311 per session, we offer reduced rates to make high-quality therapy accessible.

Clinical Psychological Therapy Fees (from 1 July 2024 - 30 June 2025):

Full Fee: $250
Medicare Rebate: $141.85
Out-of-Pocket: $108.15

Third Party Payers

Third-party payers, including NDIS, DVA, Open Arms, Victims Assist, Comcare, government departments, AAI/Suncorp, and private insurers, typically fully fund your sessions at no cost to you but do not cover cancellation fees (excluding NDIS).

Fees apply as stipulated, except for government and insurance providers where APS rates apply.

Reports required for funding bodies such as NDIS & DVA, are billed directly—no hassle for you.

Psychological Assessment Fees

Assessment costs vary depending on your unique needs. We start with a conversation to determine what’s best for you. Contact us to discuss options.

Cancellation & Rescheduling Policy

We understand that unexpected situations arise. To ensure fairness for all clients and our psychologists, the following cancellation terms apply:

Cancellations within 24–48 hours: $50 + GST
Cancellations with less than 24 hours’ notice: $100 + GST
Missed appointments (DNA/No Show): Full session fee + GST

Fees only apply if the appointment cannot be filled. Providing at least two business days’ notice helps avoid charges.

Why Cancellation Fees Apply:

Keeps therapy progress on track.
Allows appointment availability for other clients.
Covers preparation and time set aside for your session.

Reminders: We may send SMS reminders up to three days before your appointment, but attendance remains your responsibility. A missed reminder does not waive cancellation fees.

Rescheduling: If we need to reschedule due to unforeseen circumstances (e.g., staff illness), we will notify you as soon as possible.

Payment & Debt Recovery Policy

Dear Mind Psychology is a cashless practice, and payment is required within seven days of invoice issuance.

Payment Methods

Pay immediately after sessions via EFTPOS, direct deposit (use surname & invoice number), or automatic debit (Stripe).
Third-party funding (e.g., DVA, Open Arms, Insurance) covers session fees, but clients are responsible for cancellation fees as third parties do not reimburse these charges.

Unpaid Debts

Overdue balances may result in appointment cancellations until resolved.
Two missed payments will require full upfront payment for future bookings (excludes DVA, Open Arms, and NDIS clients).
Unpaid Debts may be reported and subject to debt recovery proceedings. Any costs incurred during the recovery process will be added to the outstanding amount.

Client Rights

We adhere to the APS Charter for Clients of Psychologists, which outlines your rights. A copy is available at our practice or upon request. You can also view it online at APS Charter.