FAQ’s

WHAT WILL MY FIRST SESSION INVOLVE?

Your first session is a chance for us to get to know each other and make sure we’re a good fit. I’ll spend time understanding what has brought you to therapy by asking gentle, open questions about different parts of your life—such as relationships, work or school, wellbeing, and any challenges you’re facing.

Toward the end of the session, we’ll begin exploring what you hope to gain from therapy and outline some initial goals together. This collaborative approach helps us create a clear, shared direction moving forward.

HOW OFTEN WILL I NEED TO ATTEND?

Session frequency looks different for everyone. It depends on your goals, the type of support you’re seeking, and practical considerations like your schedule and budget.
As a general guide, many people attend fortnightly for the first 6-8 sessions, then gradually shift to every 3- 4 weeks. Some individuals may benefit from more frequent sessions for a period of time. We’ll decide together on what feels supportive and sustainable for you.

WHAT IF IT ISN’T THE RIGHT FIT FOR ME?

Finding the right therapist is deeply personal - sometimes it’s a great match, and sometimes it isn’t, and both are completely okay. A strong therapeutic relationship is essential, so I encourage openness if at any time you feel our work together isn’t aligning with your needs. We can discuss this honestly and respectfully, and if needed, I’m very happy to help you connect with another therapist who might be a better fit.

IS MY INFORMATION CONFIDENTIAL?

Your privacy is incredibly important, and I’m committed to creating a space where you feel safe to share openly. Everything discussed in therapy remains confidential, with only a few legal exceptions—for example, if there is an immediate risk of harm.
Before we begin, I will go through the confidentiality agreement with you so everything is clear. All records are stored securely on encrypted software to protect your information.

DO I NEED A REFERRAL?

No referral is required - anyone is welcome to attend therapy privately.
A referral is only needed if you’d like to access Medicare rebates through a Mental Health Care Plan. Some private health funds also offer rebates without a GP referral, depending on your policy.

HOW LONG DOES A SESSION LAST?

A standard individual therapy session is 50 minutes.

WHAT IS A MENTAL HEALTH CARE PLAN?

A Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) is a document your GP creates with you to support the management of a mental health concern. It allows you to access Medicare rebates for sessions with eligible allied health professionals, including psychologists. You don’t need a formal diagnosis to discuss an MHCP with your doctor. With a valid plan and referral, you can receive rebates for up to 10 individual sessions per calendar year.

HOW DO I KNOW IF I’M ELIGIBLE FOR A MENTAL HEALTH CARE PLAN?

Your GP will determine eligibility during an appointment. They’ll provide a referral and MHCP, which must be completed prior to your first rebated session. You’ll need to send us a copy of this referral to claim your Medicare rebate.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A PSYCHOLOGIST, PSYCHIATRIST, AND COUNSELLOR?

General psychologists typically follow an accredited sequence of four years of study plus two years of supervised training, while psychologists with additional postgraduate qualifications (eg. Clinical, Educational and Developmental, or Organisational psychologists) complete six years of university training, including a Masters, before entering the field.

Psychologists are registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), must participate in ongoing supervision and professional development, and are qualified to assess, diagnose, and treat mental health conditions using evidence-based therapeutic approaches.

Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialise in mental health. They are trained to assess and diagnose psychiatric conditions and can prescribe medication when needed. Some psychiatrists also provide therapy, though medication management is often their primary focus. A referral from a GP is usually required to see a psychiatrist.

Counsellors support people through a wide range of personal, relational, and wellbeing challenges. Their approach often emphasises emotional support, reflective listening, and building practical coping skills. In Australia, counselling is not a regulated profession in the same way that psychology or psychiatry is, which means training pathways can vary from shorter accredited courses through to bachelor or master’s degrees. While counsellors typically do not provide formal diagnoses, they may help clients understand their experiences, strengthen resilience, and make meaningful changes in their lives.

CAN I CONTACT MY PSYCHOLOGIST AFTER HOURS?

Salt and Sage Psychology is not a crisis service, and we are unavailable outside business hours. If you require immediate support, please contact one of the following:


000 – For emergencies

Lifeline – 13 11 14


Kids Helpline (up to age 25) – 1800 55 1800


Domestic Violence Hotline (QLD) – 1800 811 811


MensLine – 1300 78 99 78


Parentline – 1300 30 1300

Alcohol and Drug Information Service (ADIS) – 1800 177 833


1300 MH CALL – 1300 64 22 55

DOES SALT AND SAGE OFFER REPORTS OR DOCUMENTATION FOR COURT?

No, we do not provide court reports or documentation for legal proceedings.

WHAT IS DIGITAL SCRIBING SOFTWARE?

At Salt and Sage Psychology, we may use digital scribing software to support accurate and efficient note-taking. This system securely records the audio of your session and generates an initial draft summary, which your clinician then reviews and refines into a clinical note stored in your file.


All audio and draft content are permanently deleted once the final note is saved. Using this tool allows us to stay present and focused in the session while still maintaining high-quality record keeping.

Your consent is always sought before using digital scribing, and you can withdraw it at any time. The software complies with the Australian Privacy Principles, as well as international standards such as HIPAA and GDPR, with all data encrypted to safeguard your privacy