No, you don't need a referral to see me. You're welcome to book in directly.

A referral is needed if you'd like to claim a Medicare rebate on your sessions. In that case you'll need a referral and a Mental Health Care Plan from your GP (more on that below). You can also see me privately without a referral and claim through your private health fund instead, if your cover includes psychology.

To access Medicare rebates you'll need a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) from your GP. Under the Medicare scheme, you can claim a rebate on up to 10 sessions per calendar year. Your initial GP referral will usually be for 6 sessions, and after a review with your GP you can be referred for up to 4 more.

Here's how it works:

1. Book an appointment with your GP and let them know you'd like to discuss a Mental Health Care Plan.

2. Your GP will assess whether a plan is appropriate and, if so, prepare your MHCP along with a referral to me.

3. Book your appointment via the website, using the MEDICARE options.

4. Bring your referral along on the day or upload it during the online intake.

5. After your initial sessions, return to your GP for a review to access any remaining rebated sessions for the year.

Yes, private health rebates may apply depending on your level of cover. You'll need to claim these directly through your insurer. It's worth checking with your fund beforehand to confirm whether psychology is included in your policy and what you can expect back.

I ask for at least 48 hours notice if you need to cancel or reschedule an appointment, so the time can be offered to someone else.

• Cancelling, rescheduling within 48 hours or non-attendance : a fee of 50% of the usual session fee applies.

If I'm able to fill the appointment, no fee will be charged. Please also note that for Medicare-rebated sessions, a Medicare rebate cannot be claimed against a cancelled appointment.

Your first appointment is a chance for us to meet and start getting to know one another. It's also where you get a feel for whether I'm the right person to support you. There's nothing you need to prepare, and no pressure to arrive with everything worked out.

A lot of this session is simply you talking and me listening. I want to hear what's been going on in your own words.

I'll ask questions along the way, partly to understand what you're experiencing, and to learn what you're hoping therapy might change for you. And this goes both ways, so please bring any questions of your own.

Deciding how to move forward is something we do together.