FAQs
If you have never been to a psychologist before it is so normal to have some questions. If you can't find your answer here please email US at hello@joyfulbeing.com.au and WE will be happy to help.
We would love to help you. We are very passionate about supporting people during what can be a very challenging period of life. Please complete the form below and the lovely Melissa, our administration support, will reach out to you to get it all organised. Please note there is currently a wait of 8 weeks for a new client.
Once you are a regular client you will have access to the online booking portal and can make your own appointments. We believe this is really important as most people these days hate the phone and also let’s face it most life admin is done at nighttime once work is done/and or kids are asleep.
Please address referrals to:
Jacqueline Bailey Rebecca Chivell
Joyful Being Joyful Being
Epworth Freemasons Hospital Juno Specialists
Suite 2, 320 Victoria Parade 2/678 Victoria Street
East Melbourne VIC 3002 Richmond VIC 3121
Our fax number is 03 9125 8445.
We find it incredibly helpful if you can provide your patient’s email address. Often it can be tricky to get hold of someone on the phone and we can play phone tag, which really delays our intake. Email can be very handy in these situations. Currently our waitlist for new clients is around 8 weeks. We will always put clients on a cancellation list and offer an early appointment should one become available.
Of course you can! Both practice locations are pram friendly. You are welcome to feed your baby, walk around the room, and change baby if needed. We are also there to assist you with carrying bags, pushing your pram etc. We are aware that there is a lot that you need to pack and carry when you leave the house with a baby. Both of us used to take our babies to our own therapy appointments so we understand the juggle, but know that good work can still happen.
Also we believe postpartum is forever! So please reach out even if your children are older. We are here for you.
- Triple Zero (000) – If you are in crisis and believe that immediate help is needed, please call triple zero (000) or go to your local hospital emergency department.
- Lifeline 13 11 14 – Is a national charity providing all Australians experiencing emotional distress with access to 24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention services
- Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia (PANDA) 1300 726 306 – Is a free perinatal mental health hotline. PANDA offers free telephone support counselling.
- Red Nose 1300 308 307 – Is a 24-hour parents’ helpline. Red Nose provides support for grieving parents and families who have experienced the death of a baby during pregnancy, birth, infancy or childhood, regardless of cause.
If you would like to receive a Medicare rebate for your sessions, you can obtain a mental health care plan from your GP. This plan will give you a Medicare rebate for up to 10 psychology sessions within the calendar year. The current rebate for each Medicare session starts at $96.65. for a general psychologist and $141.85 for a clinical psychologist. On the day of the appointment, we will require full payment of the session and then we can submit your Medicare claim for you. To obtain a GP MHCP referral please book in for a long/double appointment with your GP to allow enough time for them to complete the paperwork for you.
If you have reached your Medicare Safety Net for the year, then you will receive 80% of the appointment costs back.
Please note that a referral from your obstetrician does not entitle you to a Medicare rebate. This is best practice, ensuring that accurate information is shared with your care team to better support you.
If you would like further information about the mental health care plan, please click here or email me at hello@joyfulbeing.com.au to discuss further questions.
Absolutely we do. This is particularly helpful for postpartum clients. It means that you can still access support from the comfort of your home without the chaos of getting yourself and a newborn baby out the house on time. We use the secure video conferencing built into our practice management software Halaxy. You do not need to download any programs or special apps.
Your first appointment is an opportunity for your psychologist to get to know you. They will ask questions so that they can better understand what you have been through and why you feel the way that you do. They will then be able to provide you with ideas of how you can work together effectively to support you to better cope. Our aim is for you to walk out of our session feeling understood and supported and hopeful that things can be better once you have learnt some strategies and have the right support.
Initial appointments (usually around 50 minutes): $265
Standard appointments (usually around 50 minutes): $250
Surcharges (weekends and after hours): $20
As discussed above, if you have a Mental Health care plan from your GP you will receive $96.65 back into your nominated bank account the next day.
A late cancelled appointment is a loss to three people:
- The client who is delaying their therapy progress
- Another client who has been sitting on the waiting list to see the psychologist urgently
- The psychologist who spent the morning preparing the session
Please note that non-attendance to the appointment will be charged at $250.
