FAQ
Below are some answers to common questions I am asked.
BETWEEN SESSION CONTACT/REQUESTS
It is common for clients (or parents/caregivers) to want to contact their psychologist between sessions for a variety of reasons, including (but not limited to): scheduling, requesting support letters, providing updates, and seeking advice/support. Based on my boundaries and capacity, I have outlined how best to manage/communicate these common requests:
I NEED TO BOOK, CANCEL OR RESCHEDULE
If you have set up your Halaxy account, you should be able to manage your appointments online. If you are cancelling/rescheduling an appointment with less than 48 business hours notice, you will need to contact me directly.
You can find instructions for booking online by following this link: BOOK NOW
I NEED A SUPPORT LETTER FOR SCHOOL/UNIVERSITY
You can make this request directly during a session or via an email to my administrative assistant, however I cannot provide a letter unless and until we have had an appointment to discuss it; I need to speak to you/your young person about the request to:
ensure it is appropriate for me to provide a letter
check I have all the information I need
confirm with you/your young person exactly what information I have consent to share.
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Please be aware I require at least 2 weeks notice to provide a letter of support, and cannot provide letters to clients who are not currently engaged in therapy (i.e. past/discharged clients).
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I want to help my clients as best as I can, and that means dedicating the necessary time and thought to writing a letter that is not only supportive, but also meets ethical, legal, and professional standards.
I WANT TO GIVE YOU AN UPDATE ABOUT ME/MY YOUNG PERSON
Any emails you send will not be read or responded to by me until our next appointment; my administrative assistant will upload any correspondence to your file. Email is not recommended to convey sensitive information as it is not confidential.
I NEED SUPPORT
If you need non-emergency support (i.e. there are no risk concerns), you can:
use the online booking system to schedule an earlier appointment
call/email my administrative assistant and ask to be put on my cancellation list in case an earlier appointment becomes available
check if your workplace has an employee assistance program you can access
contact your school wellbeing team
consider documenting any events and your thoughts and feelings, and bringing any notes to your next appointment.
I NEED URGENT SUPPORT
As a therapist in private practice I cannot provide crisis/emergency support. If you are in need of immediate help, please reach out to an emergency service or helpline such as:
Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800
Qlife - 1800 184 527
MensLine 1300 78 99 78
Sexual Assault Crisis Line 1800 806 292
Family Violence 1800 015 188
Lifeline 13 11 14
Suicide Line 1300 651 251
Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636
1800 RESPECT 1800 737 732
WHY CAN'T YOU GIVE SUPPORT VIA EMAIL/BETWEEN SESSIONS?
There are several reasons I cannot provide support via email/between sessions, including (but not limited to):
A great deal of time is needed to read, reflect and respond sensitively. On work days I spend the majority of my time in sessions with clients, writing notes, corresponding with other health professionals, and preparing for sessions. This leaves little to no time to monitor (let alone respond to) emails; one of the many reasons I have an administrative assistant!
Written communication is prone to misinterpretation.
Emails do not include sufficient information/context for me to provide support; I will not be able to assess the mental state of the writer, nor will I have the information required to give appropriate psychological support.
MEDICARE REFERRAL QUESTIONS
MY REFERRAL FROM MY GP WAS FAXED BUT YOU HAVEN’T RECEIVED IT, CAN YOU FOLLOW UP WITH MY GP FOR ME?
As a small clinic we do not have capacity to follow up on referrals, so you will need to contact your GP clinic to request your referral be re-sent.Â
If you’re worried about your referral not being received, you can ask your GP to provide you with a copy of your referral to provide to us/Mat directly.
YOU DON’T HAVE MY REFERRAL YET, SO CAN I WAIT UNTIL YOU DO TO PAY FOR MY SESSION?
Regardless of whether you have a current referral on file, payment is due at the time of your appointment. Processing rebates is a service we provide for the convenience of clients if/when we have all the information required to do so (i.e. your medicare card details and a current referral/mental health care plan).
CAN YOU REMIND ME TO GET A REFERRAL?
As a courtesy, I try to remind clients when they need a new referral. However, I encourage you to take responsibility for keeping track of how many sessions you have used, and booking in with the GP when you need to.
The number of sessions used on your current referral will appear on your invoice.
HOW MANY REBATED SESSIONS CAN I RECEIVE?
Under the better access initiative, you can receive ten rebated sessions per calendar year (January 01-December 31)
REFERRALS
To receive a rebate, we need a referral from your GP.
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Your GP must first create a Mental health Car Plan.
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They can then write a letter referring you for psychological services.
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While you can receive ten sessions in total per calendar year, a referral letter is valid for up to six sessions. This ensures you see your GP again to determine if further sessions are needed.
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We can only use a referral letter for the stated number of sessions. After they have been used, we write you your GP, and you need to see them for a new referral.
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When you see your GP, ask for a new referral, NOT a 'review'. This is a separate process and it will confuse your GP.
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Please note: you can use a referral across calendar years. For example, if you use 4/6 sessions on a referral, and you enter the new year, you can use the same referral in the new year for the remaining sessions.
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CAN YOU USE MORE SESSIONS THAN STATED ON THE REFERRAL, USE MY REFERRAL FOR A SESSION DATED BEFORE THE REFERRAL, OR PROCESS A REBATE FOR A CANCELLED SESSION?
Put simply: No, that is Medicare fraud.
LOCATION
WHERE IS MATHEW PIERCE CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY?
Mathew Pierce Clinical Psychology is located at 68 Victoria Street, Footscray, Victoria, 3011
HOW DO YOU OFFER SESSIONS ONLINE?
I use Zoom and Microsoft teams. You will be sent a link for your appointment prior to the appointment commencing.