Counselling Ashgrove

Our Location

Our clinic is based in Ashgrove, Brisbane 6km from the CBD of Brisbane.  We pride ourselves on having a relaxed and welcome environment for clients .

You will find us on Level 1, Highpoint Plaza, 240 Waterworks Road. There is ample off-street barking and numerous bus services which stop in front of the office.  There is lift and disability access. 

What can I expect from counselling?

The aim of therapy is to work collaboratively with the client to increase their understanding of themselves and address areas of concern in a meaningful yet timely manner. The process aims to increase the client’s understanding and awareness of their current difficulties, and to help them to learn strategies that will enable them to overcome areas of difficulty and work towards improving their overall quality of life.

The initial session typically involves a clinical assessment, where information is collected on the nature of the client’s current difficulties and relevant history, as well as the administration of questionnaires regarding current functioning.  By the end of the first session, the client and your psychologist will have a clearer understanding of the nature of the client’s current difficulties and contributing factors, and will have developed a therapy plan which includes therapy goals, the treatment approach, and the number of sessions required.

Therapy sessions typically last 50-55 minutes and occur at a frequency determined by the client and your psychologist, usually weekly. The number of treatment sessions that will be required depends on the unique circumstances of each client. Therapy typically involves the completion of in-between session tasks (known as homework), that aims to increase the benefits of therapy.

Sessions can be held in our offices in Ashgrove or via phone or video link, as needed.

Counselling approaches and techniques

The approach is adapted to your needs based on our psychologists experience and training in multiple different counselling techniques including CBT,  ACT,  DBT,  EMDR, and Schema therapy.  The following is some more information on two common approaches:

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

Counselling can assist with:

Counselling Costs and Rebates

Out of pocket expense varies depending on what rebates might be available. For example, individuals with a Mental Health Treatment Plan from their GP are able to receive a rebates on up to 10 sessions a year. Visit the Fees and Rebates page for details.

What is the Difference Between a General Psychologist, Registrar, Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Neuropsychologist?

General Psychologist

• Study: Has completed a minimum of 4  to 6 years university study in psychology. All of our General Psychologists have Masters Degrees or above.
• Medicare Rebates: Will attract a Medicare Rebate of $92.90 per session with valid Mental Health Treatment Plan
• Registration : Is registered as a “General Psychologist” with Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)

Clinical Psychology – Registrar

• Study: Has completed a minimum of 6 – 8 years university study in clinical psychology, to the level of Masters, Doctorate or PhD in psychology
• Medicare Rebates: Will attract a Medicare Rebate of $92.90 per session with valid Mental Health Treatment Plan
• Registration:  Is registered as a “General Psychologist” with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) – as is completing a short period of supervised work to gain endorsement in clinical psychology – Clinical Psychology Registrar

Clinical Neuropsychology – Registrar

• Study: Has completed a minimum of 6 – 8 years university study in neuropsychology, to the level of Masters, Doctorate or PhD in psychology
• Medicare Rebates:   For Neuropsychology Registrars providing treatment for mental health problems under a valid MHCP, the rebate is $92.90 (currently, there is no Medicare rebate for cognitive testing)
  
• Registration:  Is registered as a “General Psychologist” with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) – as is completing a short period of supervised work to gain endorsement in clinical psychology – Clinical Neuropsychology Registrar

Clinical Psychologist

• Study: Has completed a minimum of 6 – 8 years university study in clinical psychology, to the level of Masters, Doctorate or PhD in psychology
• Medicare Rebates:  Will attract a higher Medicare rebate of $136.35 per session with valid Mental Health Treatment Plan
• Registration:  Is endorsed as a “General Psychologist” with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) – with Endorsement in “Clinical Psychology”

Clinical Neuropsychologist

• Study: Has completed a minimum of 6 – 8 years university study in neuropsychology, to the level of Masters, Doctorate or PhD in psychology
• Medicare Rebates: For Neuropsychologists providing treatment for mental health problems under a valid MHCP, the rebate is $92.90, unless the psychologist is also a clinical psychologist, in which case the rebate will be $136.35 (currently, there is no Medicare rebate for cognitive testing)
• Registration:  Is endorsed as a “General Psychologist” with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) – with Endorsement in “Clinical Neuropsychology”

Some Psychologists can be Endorsed in more than one area – such as Clinical Neuropsychology & Clinical Psychology.

Psychology accreditation and associations

Approved Medicare Provider

Psychological Assessments

Psychological Assessments are useful in cases where an individual or organisation wishes to know more about a person’s current (or past) mental health or psychological functioning, and/or wish to know how to assist the person to overcome areas of emotional or behavioural difficulty.

Psychological Assessments typically involve a clinical interview and the provision of validated psychometric measures of functioning, as well as collateral interviews and observations of functioning if indicated. The Psychological Assessment Report will provide a summary of any psychological problems, provide an indication of any mental health diagnoses (i.e. DSM-V), provide a formulation of the presenting problems, and outline the type of treatment/intervention that is needed to address the problem, as well as the likely prognosis.

Below provides a sample of some of the types Psychological Assessments that can be requested:

• Mental Health Assessments
• Personality Assessments
• Return to Work Assessments

In addition to Psychological Assessments Hardwick Psychological Services also offer Neuropsychological Assessments within Brisbane .

Ashgrove counselling location