1. Do I need a referral to make an appointment?
In general, a referral is not needed especially clients who are under third parties such as TAC, Workcover, NDIS, EAP and VOCAT. However, those clients that are on a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP), require a referral from their GP in order to claim the Medicare rebate ($98.95). You may also be able to claim a rebate from your private health insurer, so it is advisable to check with your private health cover whether this is possible (especially if you have extras and this includes Psychology/counselling treatment).
2. Who can provide me with a referral?
Your GP, psychiatrist or pediatrician.
3. How much do you charge per session?
Please inquire directly via email ([email protected]) or via phone (0439 735 736) regarding consultation fees. For third party providers (TAC, WorkCover, etc), there is a small out-of-pocket fee for clients, in order to cover my consultation fee.
4. Can you explain how the Medicare rebate works?
When you make a booking for an appointment, you will be required to pay the full fee on the day.
The Medicare rebate works by paying for a percentage of the cost of the total fee (currently $98.95), which is paid back to you by Medicare into your nominated bank account or connected Medicare account. The current Medicare rebate allows for ten rebates per individualised treatment sessions per calender year. After the first six sessions, you are generally reviewed by your GP, to determine your eligibility for another four sessions.
5. Do you offer bulk bill?
No unfortunately I cannot offer bulk billed services, however for those on a Healthcare Care Card or pension card, there is a reduced consultation fee available to alleviate some of the out-of-pocket cost.
6. Can my Private Health insurance cover the full cost of my consultations?
Firstly, I advise checking with your private healthcare cover as it depends on your level of cover, extras, etc.
Generally what occurs is that the full fee must be paid and then you would take the receipt or invoice to your health fund to claim. Please also note that the Medicare rebate on a healthcare plan or Private Health insurance can be used to help cover the costs, but that both cannot be used at the same time.
7. What is your cancellation fee?
When you make an appointment, the time is reserved especially for you, and that time is precious to both you and your therapist. With this in mind, if you are to cancel or need to reschedule your appointment, I require at least 48 hours prior notice, to not charge any fees. This is so that appointment time may be provided to another client in need. If a client cancels less than 48 business hours prior to an appointment, a $100 cancellation fee will be charged. Where less than 24 business hours notice is provided, the full fee will be charged. In the event of sudden illness or serious circumstances, please inform me asap so that I can respond appropriately.
8. How long will I need therapy for?
This question is complex and difficult to answer as it is different for each client, because of the unique set of issues, circumstances and needs. There is no "one size fits all approach," when it comes to treatment approach and length of treatment. In both the short and long-term, it is a collaborative process whereby both clinician and client decide when it is appropriate to continue or suspend treatment. At the beginning of each new session with a client, a set of goals is agreed to and therefore as stated, length of therapy is a continued collaborative process.
9. How soon can I get an appointment?
Free Your Mind Psychology is currently offering Monday's and Wednesdays from 10am-6pm (for face-to-face appointments) and Tuesday's from 10am-6pm (for Telehealth appointments). Please reach out to Lauretta for flexibility and to accommodate your preferred treatment days/times. Lauretta also recommends booking a number of appointments ahead of time, to ensure preferred days and times, as there is a waitlist.
10. What is the duration of sessions?
Fifty minutes is the duration of my sessions, to ensure I have adequate time in-between back-to-back sessions to do notes and take a short break. I cannot extend sessions.
11. Will you maintain the confidentiality of my sessions?
Free Your Mind Psychology is bound by the ethical APS code to maintain the confidentiality of all clients information and discussions that are held during consultations. Exceptions to this code exist on the following grounds only:
12. Why does my Psychologist need a supervisor or Psychologist of their own?
As part of the APS ethical code and in upkeeping professional standards, it is necessary and recommended that Psychologists seek continuing professional development and support through either a supervisor, peer psychologist or both. This is because although providing Psychological services to individuals is very rewarding and meaningful work, it can at times be very stressful or demanding and Psychologists need to maintain self-care and appropriate supervision to ensure they are practicing competently and ethically.
Free Your Mind Privacy Policy
Free Your Mind Psychology is committed to providing quality services to you and this policy outlines our ongoing obligations to you in respect of how we manage your Personal Information.
We have adopted the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) contained in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (the Privacy Act). The NPPs govern the way in which we collect, use, disclose, store, secure and dispose of your Personal Information.
A copy of the Australian Privacy Principles may be obtained from the website of The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner at https://www.oaic.gov.au/. This privacy policy should be read and understood via the terms and conditions on the intake/consent form and by accessing this website and agreeing to my services, you agree to be bound to the terms of this privacy policy.
Personal Information and why we collect it
Personal Information is information or an opinion that identifies an individual. Examples of Personal Information we collect includes names, addresses, email addresses and phone numbers. This Personal Information is obtained in many ways including during consultations, through completing intake forms, by correspondence, by telephone, by email, via our website freeyourmindpsychology.com.au, from cookies and from third parties. We don’t guarantee website links or policy of authorised third parties. We collect your Personal Information for the primary purpose of providing our services to you. This personal information may relate to your name, contact details, local GP, healthcare issues, bank account details, etc all for the purpose of providing the necessary services and for providing invoices/billing. We may also use your Personal Information for secondary purposes closely related to the primary purpose, in circumstances where you would reasonably expect such use or disclosure. When we collect Personal Information we will, where appropriate and where possible, explain to you why we are collecting the information and how we plan to use it.
How we hold your personal information
Free Your Mind Psychology collects and maintains electronic or hard copies of information related to your personal information that is secured and/or locked in filling cabinets. Legally, psychologists are required to maintain records for a length of 7 years from the date of last entry in your record, or if you are a minor the records are maintained until you reach 25 years of age. When the information is no longer required to be retained it is destroyed in a secure manner.
How we protect your personal information
The personal and sensitive information collected on you is maintained in a secure and locked area (filing cabinets or password protected for electronic material). The software that collects and stores your personal information is protected by a two-factor authentication, passwords and applicable security software. Again, your personal and sensitive information is destroyed or de-identified in a secure manner once it is no longer needed.
Sensitive Information
Sensitive information is defined in the Privacy Act to include information or opinion about such things as an individual's racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, membership of a political association, religious or philosophical beliefs, membership of a trade union or other professional body, criminal record or health information.
Sensitive information will be used by us only:
• For the primary purpose for which it was obtained
• For a secondary purpose that is directly related to the primary purpose
• With your consent; or where required or authorised by law.
Third Parties
Where reasonable and practicable to do so, we will collect your Personal Information only from you. However, in some circumstances we may be provided with information by third parties. In such a case we will take reasonable steps to ensure that you are made aware of the information provided to us by the third party. In the instance of needing to provide information to third parties this concerns court subpoena's, you have consented to the disclosure, a GP or other treating medical professional involved in your care or the disclosure is needed in order to protect harm to the client, others or the public in general.
Disclosure of Personal Information
Your Personal Information may be disclosed in a number of circumstances including the following:
• Third parties where you consent to the use or disclosure; and
• Where required or authorised by law.
Security of Personal Information
Your Personal Information is stored in a manner that reasonably protects it from misuse and loss and from unauthorized access, modification or disclosure.
When your Personal Information is no longer needed for the purpose for which it was obtained, we will take reasonable steps to destroy or permanently de-identify your Personal Information. However, most of the Personal Information is or will be stored in client files which will be kept by us for a minimum of 7 years.
Access to your Personal Information
You may access the Personal Information we hold about you and to update and/or correct it, subject to certain exceptions. If you wish to access your Personal Information, please contact us in writing.
Free Your Mind Psychology will not charge any fee for your access request, but may charge an administrative fee for providing a copy of your Personal Information.
In order to protect your Personal Information we may require identification from you before releasing the requested information.
Maintaining the Quality of your Personal Information
It is an important to us that your Personal Information is up to date. We will take reasonable steps to make sure that your Personal Information is accurate, complete and up-to-date. If you find that the information we have is not up to date or is inaccurate, please advise us as soon as practicable so we can update our records and ensure we can continue to provide quality services to you.
Breaches to data and notifying clients
If there is an incident of data breach, unauthorised access or disclosure of your personal and sensitive information you will be notified immediately in accordance with the privacy act.
Policy Updates
This Policy may change from time to time and is available on our website. It is recommended that this privacy policy be regularly checked for any updates or changes.
Policy complaints or enquiries:
If you have any queries or complaints about our Privacy Policy please contact me at:
Free Your Mind Psychology
Email: [email protected]
Mob: 0439 735 736
In general, a referral is not needed especially clients who are under third parties such as TAC, Workcover, NDIS, EAP and VOCAT. However, those clients that are on a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP), require a referral from their GP in order to claim the Medicare rebate ($98.95). You may also be able to claim a rebate from your private health insurer, so it is advisable to check with your private health cover whether this is possible (especially if you have extras and this includes Psychology/counselling treatment).
2. Who can provide me with a referral?
Your GP, psychiatrist or pediatrician.
3. How much do you charge per session?
Please inquire directly via email ([email protected]) or via phone (0439 735 736) regarding consultation fees. For third party providers (TAC, WorkCover, etc), there is a small out-of-pocket fee for clients, in order to cover my consultation fee.
4. Can you explain how the Medicare rebate works?
When you make a booking for an appointment, you will be required to pay the full fee on the day.
The Medicare rebate works by paying for a percentage of the cost of the total fee (currently $98.95), which is paid back to you by Medicare into your nominated bank account or connected Medicare account. The current Medicare rebate allows for ten rebates per individualised treatment sessions per calender year. After the first six sessions, you are generally reviewed by your GP, to determine your eligibility for another four sessions.
5. Do you offer bulk bill?
No unfortunately I cannot offer bulk billed services, however for those on a Healthcare Care Card or pension card, there is a reduced consultation fee available to alleviate some of the out-of-pocket cost.
6. Can my Private Health insurance cover the full cost of my consultations?
Firstly, I advise checking with your private healthcare cover as it depends on your level of cover, extras, etc.
Generally what occurs is that the full fee must be paid and then you would take the receipt or invoice to your health fund to claim. Please also note that the Medicare rebate on a healthcare plan or Private Health insurance can be used to help cover the costs, but that both cannot be used at the same time.
7. What is your cancellation fee?
When you make an appointment, the time is reserved especially for you, and that time is precious to both you and your therapist. With this in mind, if you are to cancel or need to reschedule your appointment, I require at least 48 hours prior notice, to not charge any fees. This is so that appointment time may be provided to another client in need. If a client cancels less than 48 business hours prior to an appointment, a $100 cancellation fee will be charged. Where less than 24 business hours notice is provided, the full fee will be charged. In the event of sudden illness or serious circumstances, please inform me asap so that I can respond appropriately.
8. How long will I need therapy for?
This question is complex and difficult to answer as it is different for each client, because of the unique set of issues, circumstances and needs. There is no "one size fits all approach," when it comes to treatment approach and length of treatment. In both the short and long-term, it is a collaborative process whereby both clinician and client decide when it is appropriate to continue or suspend treatment. At the beginning of each new session with a client, a set of goals is agreed to and therefore as stated, length of therapy is a continued collaborative process.
9. How soon can I get an appointment?
Free Your Mind Psychology is currently offering Monday's and Wednesdays from 10am-6pm (for face-to-face appointments) and Tuesday's from 10am-6pm (for Telehealth appointments). Please reach out to Lauretta for flexibility and to accommodate your preferred treatment days/times. Lauretta also recommends booking a number of appointments ahead of time, to ensure preferred days and times, as there is a waitlist.
10. What is the duration of sessions?
Fifty minutes is the duration of my sessions, to ensure I have adequate time in-between back-to-back sessions to do notes and take a short break. I cannot extend sessions.
11. Will you maintain the confidentiality of my sessions?
Free Your Mind Psychology is bound by the ethical APS code to maintain the confidentiality of all clients information and discussions that are held during consultations. Exceptions to this code exist on the following grounds only:
- If you are at risk for harming yourself or others
- If my notes are subpoenaed by court (a legal request for access) or you are involved in a court case
- Medicare requires that a report is sent to your GP at every 6th and 10th session
- During supervision (Psychologists are required to maintain supervision to uphold professional standards and practice ethically so it is possible some aspects of your case may be discussed briefly as part of supervision.)
- I may discuss aspects of your case with peers in order to provide the best possible support
12. Why does my Psychologist need a supervisor or Psychologist of their own?
As part of the APS ethical code and in upkeeping professional standards, it is necessary and recommended that Psychologists seek continuing professional development and support through either a supervisor, peer psychologist or both. This is because although providing Psychological services to individuals is very rewarding and meaningful work, it can at times be very stressful or demanding and Psychologists need to maintain self-care and appropriate supervision to ensure they are practicing competently and ethically.
Free Your Mind Privacy Policy
Free Your Mind Psychology is committed to providing quality services to you and this policy outlines our ongoing obligations to you in respect of how we manage your Personal Information.
We have adopted the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) contained in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (the Privacy Act). The NPPs govern the way in which we collect, use, disclose, store, secure and dispose of your Personal Information.
A copy of the Australian Privacy Principles may be obtained from the website of The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner at https://www.oaic.gov.au/. This privacy policy should be read and understood via the terms and conditions on the intake/consent form and by accessing this website and agreeing to my services, you agree to be bound to the terms of this privacy policy.
Personal Information and why we collect it
Personal Information is information or an opinion that identifies an individual. Examples of Personal Information we collect includes names, addresses, email addresses and phone numbers. This Personal Information is obtained in many ways including during consultations, through completing intake forms, by correspondence, by telephone, by email, via our website freeyourmindpsychology.com.au, from cookies and from third parties. We don’t guarantee website links or policy of authorised third parties. We collect your Personal Information for the primary purpose of providing our services to you. This personal information may relate to your name, contact details, local GP, healthcare issues, bank account details, etc all for the purpose of providing the necessary services and for providing invoices/billing. We may also use your Personal Information for secondary purposes closely related to the primary purpose, in circumstances where you would reasonably expect such use or disclosure. When we collect Personal Information we will, where appropriate and where possible, explain to you why we are collecting the information and how we plan to use it.
How we hold your personal information
Free Your Mind Psychology collects and maintains electronic or hard copies of information related to your personal information that is secured and/or locked in filling cabinets. Legally, psychologists are required to maintain records for a length of 7 years from the date of last entry in your record, or if you are a minor the records are maintained until you reach 25 years of age. When the information is no longer required to be retained it is destroyed in a secure manner.
How we protect your personal information
The personal and sensitive information collected on you is maintained in a secure and locked area (filing cabinets or password protected for electronic material). The software that collects and stores your personal information is protected by a two-factor authentication, passwords and applicable security software. Again, your personal and sensitive information is destroyed or de-identified in a secure manner once it is no longer needed.
Sensitive Information
Sensitive information is defined in the Privacy Act to include information or opinion about such things as an individual's racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, membership of a political association, religious or philosophical beliefs, membership of a trade union or other professional body, criminal record or health information.
Sensitive information will be used by us only:
• For the primary purpose for which it was obtained
• For a secondary purpose that is directly related to the primary purpose
• With your consent; or where required or authorised by law.
Third Parties
Where reasonable and practicable to do so, we will collect your Personal Information only from you. However, in some circumstances we may be provided with information by third parties. In such a case we will take reasonable steps to ensure that you are made aware of the information provided to us by the third party. In the instance of needing to provide information to third parties this concerns court subpoena's, you have consented to the disclosure, a GP or other treating medical professional involved in your care or the disclosure is needed in order to protect harm to the client, others or the public in general.
Disclosure of Personal Information
Your Personal Information may be disclosed in a number of circumstances including the following:
• Third parties where you consent to the use or disclosure; and
• Where required or authorised by law.
Security of Personal Information
Your Personal Information is stored in a manner that reasonably protects it from misuse and loss and from unauthorized access, modification or disclosure.
When your Personal Information is no longer needed for the purpose for which it was obtained, we will take reasonable steps to destroy or permanently de-identify your Personal Information. However, most of the Personal Information is or will be stored in client files which will be kept by us for a minimum of 7 years.
Access to your Personal Information
You may access the Personal Information we hold about you and to update and/or correct it, subject to certain exceptions. If you wish to access your Personal Information, please contact us in writing.
Free Your Mind Psychology will not charge any fee for your access request, but may charge an administrative fee for providing a copy of your Personal Information.
In order to protect your Personal Information we may require identification from you before releasing the requested information.
Maintaining the Quality of your Personal Information
It is an important to us that your Personal Information is up to date. We will take reasonable steps to make sure that your Personal Information is accurate, complete and up-to-date. If you find that the information we have is not up to date or is inaccurate, please advise us as soon as practicable so we can update our records and ensure we can continue to provide quality services to you.
Breaches to data and notifying clients
If there is an incident of data breach, unauthorised access or disclosure of your personal and sensitive information you will be notified immediately in accordance with the privacy act.
Policy Updates
This Policy may change from time to time and is available on our website. It is recommended that this privacy policy be regularly checked for any updates or changes.
Policy complaints or enquiries:
If you have any queries or complaints about our Privacy Policy please contact me at:
Free Your Mind Psychology
Email: [email protected]
Mob: 0439 735 736
FREE YOUR MIND PSYCHOLOGY
Copyright 2025
Copyright 2025