FAQ
About the Clinic
What services do you offer?
We offer counselling and a range assessments (autism, ADHD, learning disorders, cognitive/IQ) to children and young people. We also offer parent support and preparation of letters and reports as required, such as for NDIS or to support school applications. Our psychologists are also able to offer autism, ADHD and cognitive assessments for adults.
We also offer one-off assessment consultations which can help families be guided to the right path for an assessment when they are unsure what is needed.
What ages do you work with?
We work with young children from about 3 years old to adults in their 30s. Oftentimes, when the client is a young child, parent sessions will be required.
Do you work with autistic children or children with ADHD?
Yes of course! Many of the people who receive our services are diagnosed with autism or ADHD.
Do you provide assessments or just therapy?
We provide both. Every client’s needs are individual. Some will attend only for therapeutic supports, and some just for an assessment. Many clients will engage us for both an assessment and ongoing supports.
Do you work with parents or just the child?
We can certainly work very closely with the parents. We treat every client individually based on their needs and goals. For example, a 3-year-old child might need more parent involvement whereas a young person or teen might like to attend sessions more independently.
Concerns We Can Help With
What issues can child psychologists help with?
Psychologists can help children and young people find helpful ways of managing their emotions and developing helpful coping strategies. Psychologists can also help children and young people better understand themselves and help them live meaningful lives. Psychologists can also help parents to better understand their child’s behaviour and development.
How do I know if my child needs to see a psychologist?
Sometimes it can be hard to know when is the “right” time. If you have concerns about your child’s development, notice an ongoing change in their behaviour or ability to regulate their emotions, chatting to one of our psychologists will help you to determine if ongoing sessions are required. Some other indicators could be if your child’s behaviour is impacting family functioning, ability to engage or attend school, or difficulties forming positive social connections with peers.
Do you help with anxiety, behavioural issues, or learning difficulties?
Yes! All of the above.
Can you help with school-related problems (e.g. bullying, school refusal)?
Yes. We have positive relationships with many schools in our area and work as closely as needed to find the best outcomes for the child.
Do you provide support for emotional regulation and socialising?
Yes, may of our clients attend for support with socialising and emotional regulation. It all depends on the individual’s personal goals.
Can you provide guidance in which assessments could be helpful for us?
Yes. In your initial intake meeting your psychologist will work with you to determine which assessments will be most helpful in understanding your child and your concerns.
About Our Psychologists
What qualifications do your psychologists have?
All of our Psychologist’s at Step by Step Psychology are registered with AHPRA. Our team have varied specific qualifications, including Educational and Developmental Psychologist and Doctorate qualifications. All of our team have experience in working with children and young people.
Will my child see the same psychologist each time?
Yes. Once you have begun with a Psychologist, your child will continue to see this psychologist ongoing. This helps in building and maintaining trust and rapport to enhance successful outcomes.
What do I tell my child about seeing a Psychologist?
You could mention that you have met them in an initial meeting and share your personal thoughts on them. You could explain that they can help with something they are finding challenging. You might need to give a specific example like, “remember last night when you got really angry when I said it was time to turn off the iPad. That must have been really hard for you, and I could see how upset you were. Perhaps we can talk with X to see how we can find ways of not letting our feelings get too big”.
Parent Involvement
Will I be involved in my child’s sessions?
Parents can provide feedback to the psychologist about how their child is going outside of session. Often with your child’s permission, the psychologist can provide feedback about what was discussed in session or what strategies are recommended before the next session. Sometimes children prefer for their parent to sit in for the session and this can be accommodated if it supports the child’s goals and outcomes.
How much do I need to share about my child’s background?
The more information, the more helpful it is for the psychologist to understand your child and the current presenting concerns. As psychologist’s, we are mindful of looking at the child’s life experiences holistically to help determine how the current presenting difficulties came to be, and therefore how to treat or address these.
Can both parents attend the sessions?
Yes, we are happy to work in ways which best suit your family.
Do you offer parent-only consultations?
Yes most certainly. This is especially helpful for young children, or children who may not wish to engage with a Psychologist. Telehealth can be an option to help improve accessibility for appointments.
Appointments
How do I make an appointment?
Our wonderful admin team, Olivia and Georgia, are on site and available to answer the phone during working hours. They will be able to talk you through our services and determine the right fit for you. You are also welcome to email or use our online enquiry form if this better suits you.
Do I need a referral to see a psychologist?
No. A referral is not a requirement to see a private psychologist. However, a referral from a GP or paediatrician under a Medicare Mental Health Care plan can provide opportunities for a rebate on sessions.
How long is each session?
50 minutes.
How many sessions will my child need?
There are no set number of sessions required. The psychologist will work closely with you and your child to determine if goals or improvements have been noted, to determine when to cease sessions.
What should I expect in the first appointment?
The first appointment will be a parent only appointment where you can freely discuss the concerns you may have for your child. It will be a chance to meet your child’s psychologist, have an idea of what sessions will involve and setting some initial goals.
The first session for your child will be focusing on rapport building, understanding what psychology sessions involve and goal setting.
Can I choose my psychologist?
We know our psychologists well and are admin team are adept at determining who might be best suited for your child after you have explained your initial reason for referral. They will match you based on suitability and your preferred availability. You are also welcome to view our website with our psychologists’ profiles and request at the time of booking.
How are the sessions structured?
Sessions can be structured in various ways based on the child’s needs. A typical structure might look like an initial parent check in, time with the child including time for games and activities, and a 5-10 minute parent feedback time.
Rebates and Funding
Do you offer Medicare rebates?
Yes. We can offer this with a referral/Mental Health Care Plan from a GP or paediatrician.
What is a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP)?
A Mental Health Care Plan is a plan created with the GP and your child which states a diagnosis and treatment plan, that is then provided to the psychologist. This plan allows 10 sessions a calendar year that can receive a rebate. The plan also requires a review with the GP after the 6th and 10th session, where the treating psychologist will prepare a letter/report for the GP.
How do I get a MHCP from my GP?
You will need to book in appointment with your GP, and they will determine your child’s eligibility to receive a Mental Health Care Plan.
Do you accept private health insurance?
Yes. Please check your cover if it includes psychology.
Do you work with NDIS participants?
Yes most certainly, we work with NDIS self and Plan managed participants.
Can I use NDIS funding for psychology services?
Yes, if it is covered in your current plan.
Do you accept self-managed or plan-managed NDIS clients?
Yes, we accept both.
Telehealth and Accessibility
Do you offer telehealth sessions?
Yes, we offer telehealth where it is suitable.
Is telehealth suitable for children?
It can be. Suitability will need to be discussed with the treating psychologist.
What if I live in a rural or remote area?
Telehealth sessions can be offered. It is best to consult with the treating psychologist what will work best for your child’s engagement in sessions.
Is your clinic accessible for people with disabilities?
Both of our clinics are accessible for people with disabilities.
Assessments
Do you provide cognitive, behavioural, or developmental assessments?
Yes, we provide a whole range of diagnostic assessments.
What assessments do you offer for autism or ADHD?
We have many assessments to utilise when conducting these assessments. The assessing psychologist will determine with assessments will be most suitable to ensure the information gathering processes is most comprehensive. Our assessments include but not limited to, ADI-R, ADOS-2, MIGDAS-2, and Conners-4.
How long do assessments take?
Each assessment session can vary from 1, 2 or 3 hours and may span a couple of weeks.
What’s involved in the assessment process?
The assessment process varies based on the age of the client and the assessment being conducted. Most assessments begin with an initial appointment to gather background information, and this is followed by the formal assessment battery. After the report is written, a feedback session takes place to go through outcomes in detail.
Will I receive a written report?
Yes, all of our assessments have a written report included in the initial quote.
Reports and Collaboration
Can you communicate with my child’s teacher or school?
Yes, communication with teacher’s and schools is an important part of our work and something we highly value at Step by Step Psychology.
Can you provide reports for school or NDIS applications?
Yes, we can provide reports as needed, based on each client’s needs.
Do you work with GPs, paediatricians, or speech pathologists?
We work closely with client’s support teams to facilitate best possible outcomes for each clients. We can contact them via email, phone, or online meetings.
