Frequently Asked Questions

You can book in to see Lauren at any of our locations including Telehealth, Oakdale Healthcare, and Kearns Medical Centre. Visit the 'contact us' section of the website to find out more on appointment days and hours for each location.

You can see a psychologist simply by visiting the 'contact us' page and following the prompts to directly book your first appointment through the client portal. If you have any trouble with this, please email us: hello@thoughtfultherapies.com.au or call (02) 4610 8488.

The hourly therapy rate for therapy differs depending on what type of service you are using, and fees vary depending on the type of appointment from $215-230

Thoughtful Therapies does not offer bulk billing at this time.

Under the Better Access scheme, those experiencing mental health difficulties are currently eligible for up to 10 Medicare rebates per calendar year under a Mental Health Care Plan. There is an out of pocket expense for standard session fee after the rebate is applied.

Read more about utilising the Better Access for Mental Health scheme. Please note you need a referral letter and Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP to be eligible. If you want to explore this possibility, please make an appointment with your doctor prior to our first appointment. They will let you know how many sessions the referral is for and when you need to return to them for them to review your progress and potentially access more rebated sessions.

Fees are subject to change and will typically be adjusted in line with the Medicare Benefits Schedule at the end of each financial year.

No, you are able to book appointments without a referral. Appointments booked without a referral will be ineligible for Medicare rebates. 

Individual therapy sessions are covered under some private health plans, typically without requiring a referral from a doctor. To access this you will need to check your coverage with your insurer. Please keep in mind that you can't claim both private and Medicare rebates for the same appointment

No. At this time, we are not a registered NDIS provider. However, we can still support you if you have self-managed funding.

Your Psychologist will take the time to understand your relationship with your child and how your child connects with you. Whilst therapy is often most beneficial when the child has the opportunity to have a confidential space to themselves, there are various factors we consider, including the child's age and anxiety around separating. We will never put your child under unnecessary stress and we can work together to find ways to ensure your child feels comfortable in session.

I do offer a limited number of after-school appointments. However, these spots tend to fill quickly, so availability varies.

I also encourage families to consider that missing a small portion of school every few weeks - especially in the short term - can be a worthwhile investment. Therapy provides young people with essential skills and support that school doesn’t always address, especially when it comes to emotional regulation, anxiety, social challenges, or behavioural patterns. It is a short-term investment in long-term wellbeing.

Prioritising your child's mental wellbeing now can create benefits that positively impact their school experience in the long run. So whilst regular attendance at school is important, attending therapy during school hours (when needed) is a valid and valuable use of time.

A letter can be provided to give to the school to support any leave necessary for appointments.

Letting us know helps everyone – If you cannot attend your appointment, we ask that you let us know by 10am at least 2 standard business days before the day of your appointment. By doing this, you enable us to offer your appointment slot to other people in need. For appointments cancelled with less notice, or not attended, the full session fee will apply.

Examples:
Example 1: If your appointment is on a Monday and you cannot attend, you must notify us by SMS, Email or Phone by 10am Thursday in order to avoid paying the full session fee.

Example 2: If your appointment is on a Wednesday and you cannot attend, you must notify us by SMS, Email or Phone by 10am Monday in order to avoid paying the session fee.

Our standard business days and hours are Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm.