This page offers clear answers to common questions about working with a Clinical Psychologist in Melbourne. Whether you’re seeking support for yourself, a loved one, or making a referral, these FAQs are here to help you take the first step with clarity and confidence.
A Clinical Psychologist is a highly trained mental health professional who specialises in diagnosing, assessing, and treating psychological disorders and emotional difficulties. Clinical Psychologists complete advanced postgraduate qualifications (Master’s or Doctorate level) and are endorsed by the Psychology Board of Australia. They are specifically trained to work with more complex or severe presentations and also conduct formal psychological assessments, including for ADHD, Autism, trauma, and mood-related difficulties. Compared to general Registered Psychologists or Provisional Psychologists, Clinical Psychologists have additional training in evidence-based treatment models and diagnostic formulation.
No, a referral is not required to book a private appointment. However, if you would like to access Medicare rebates, you will need a referral and a Mental Health Care Plan prepared by your GP or psychiatrist. This plan outlines your current concerns and allows you to claim a rebate for up to 10 individual sessions per calendar year under Medicare’s Better Access Initiative.
A Mental Health Care Plan, also known as a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan, is a structured plan developed by your GP to support your mental health care. It enables access to subsidised psychological treatment under Medicare. Your GP will typically assess your needs and refer you to a psychologist who can provide support tailored to your presentation. If you are unsure whether you are eligible, you can discuss this during a standard GP consultation.
What is the cost of a session?
The standard fee for a 50-minute consultation is $290. This is competitively priced in comparison to the Australian Psychological Society’s 2024–2025 recommended fee for Clinical Psychologists, which is currently $311. If you are eligible for a Medicare rebate through a Mental Health Care Plan, you may claim $145.85 per session as of July 2025. Your approximate out-of-pocket cost after the rebate would be $144.15. ADHD, Autism, and other psychological assessments are individually quoted based on the nature and scope of the referral.
Many private health insurance plans in Australia include mental health coverage, although benefits, waiting periods, and rebate amounts can vary significantly between providers. If you are using private health insurance, you will need to pay the full session fee at the time of the appointment. You may then submit the invoice directly to your health fund for reimbursement, if eligible. Please note that this practice does not bill health funds directly, and all claims must be self-managed. It is recommended that you contact your insurer in advance to confirm your entitlements. You cannot claim both Medicare and private health insurance rebates for the same session.
Clients may access psychological services through a number of additional funding streams, including the Transport Accident Commission (TAC), and self-managed participants under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). In all of these cases, the full session fee must be paid at the time of the appointment, and clients are responsible for lodging claims with their funding body using the invoice provided. It is important to confirm with the relevant agency that they accept self-managed claims, as this practice does not offer direct billing to third-party payers.
When you schedule a session, that time is specifically reserved for you, and considerable preparation goes into each appointment. If you need to cancel or reschedule, more than 48 hours’ notice is required to avoid a cancellation fee. Cancellations made between 24 and 48 hours before the appointment time will incur a 50% fee. Appointments cancelled with less than 24 hours’ notice, or non-attendance, will be charged the full session fee. This policy is designed to ensure fairness and availability for others who may be waiting for support.
Reports and letters may be completed when clinically appropriate, including for university or school health forms, funding applications such as TAC, VOCAT, or NDIS, or for communication with other treating professionals. These reports incur a fee equivalent to the standard consultation rate. Please note that court-related, forensic, or legal capacity assessments are not provided as part of this service.
The first session is an opportunity to explore what has brought you to therapy and to consider how we might work together. We will speak about your concerns, your personal and psychological history, and what you hope to gain from the process. This session lasts approximately 50 minutes and also provides space for us to determine whether psychoanalytically informed treatment or an alternative approach feels appropriate for you. There is no obligation to commit beyond the first session unless it feels helpful to do so.
Yes. All sessions are conducted in accordance with the Australian Psychological Society’s Code of Ethics and Australian privacy legislation. Your privacy is respected at all times. Exceptions to confidentiality apply only in specific situations, such as where there is a risk of harm to yourself or others, or where disclosure is required by law. These exceptions will be clearly explained to you at the start of treatment.
Yes. Many individuals choose to attend a single consultation to seek support around a specific concern, reflect on an emotional experience, or clarify whether ongoing therapy or formal assessment might be helpful. You are welcome to attend without any obligation to continue treatment unless that feels appropriate for you.
You can make an enquiry or request an appointment via the contact form on this website or by emailing mylesmedwell@gmail.com. In your message, please let me know whether you are seeking therapy, a one-off consultation, or a psychological assessment such as for ADHD or Autism. If you have a referral from a GP or psychiatrist, you are welcome to include it, though it is not required if you are booking privately. I will respond with available appointment times and information about next steps.
I value strong, collaborative relationships with referrers and see referral as the beginning of a shared process. In partnership with clients, I aim to ensure treatment is appropriate, ethically grounded, and therapeutically effective. Whether you are a GP, psychiatrist, paediatrician, or another allied health professional, I welcome the opportunity to work together to support your patient’s care.
If you are referring a patient for psychoanalytically informed therapy or a formal psychological assessment, I ask that you first obtain their informed consent to share clinical information. It is also helpful to provide a brief clinical summary outlining the presenting issues, relevant psychosocial or developmental history, and your view of how treatment or assessment may be of benefit. Referrals may be sent via secure messaging, fax, or email. I also welcome contact to discuss a potential referral prior to submission.
Finding the right psychologist can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re not sure what to expect.
