At Liberated Psychology we understand that there’s a lot of confusion around psychology, whether you need a referral from your GP etc so we’ve tried to answer our most frequently asked questions below to possibly put your mind at ease. However if the information below does not answer your question please contact us either by phone on 02 4972 1474 or send us an email.
Do I need a referral?
No, a referral is not needed to book in with a Liberated Psychology, however if you wish to utilise the Medicare Rebate then you will need to organise an appointment with your GP or psychiatrist and obtain a Mental Health Care Plan
How long are appointments?
Sessions are of 50 minute duration, except for:
- Trauma specific therapy: 90-100 minutes
- Couples therapy: 90 minutes
How often will I attend sessions?
Upon referral, we will generally book your initial appointment and fortnightly follow up appointments. The frequency of your appointments may vary after meeting with your therapist at the first appointment, this will be discussed at the end of your initial session and recommended to you
Can I read a testimonial
As registered health professionals, we are regulated by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Authority (AHPRA). AHPRA has strict advertising regulations, which exclude the use of testimonials about the service or business
Are psychology sessions confidential?
Yes. Therapy is a safe, secure and private interaction between you and your therapist. The only exception is if your therapist has serious concerns about your safety or the safety of others, in which case this will be discussed with you in the first instance.
What is the difference between a psychologist, psychiatrist and counsellor?
Psychologists assist people with everyday concerns such as stress and relationship difficulties, as well as mental health issues. Psychologists use “talk therapies” to help people to develop skills to cope with difficulties and to prevent on-going issues. They have completed 6 years of education and training through a university qualification and are regulated by AHPRA and their strict guidelines. Psychologist is a protected title and unable to be used unless having completed a 4- or 5-year training sequence and an additional period of supervised training.
Psychiatrists have completed a medical degree and additional training/study in relation to the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness. Psychiatrists specialise in the medical treatment of mental health and can prescribe medications. Some psychiatrists combine medication and therapy in their treatment.
Counsellors and Psychotherapists vary in their education, training and therapeutic approaches. The titles “counsellor” and “Psychotherapist” are not regulated in Australia.