Frequently asked questions

If you're asking yourself this question, the answer is likely to be now. Often we wait until the wheels fall off before we act, when noticing they've become a little wobbly is reason enough. It's also okay to show up at any stage.

You don't need to feel ready to reach out. You might even have mixed feelings: hesitancy, scepticism, or a little anxiety. That's all welcome.

For some, life may be too full at the moment and there isn't enough space or time to give to this. Therapy is here when you feel like you've got more capacity for it. Alternatively, it may be that therapy is the thing that builds capacity, helps us see things a bit clearer, and can give us a sense of hope that we can feel better again.

First sessions

Almost everyone arrives at their first session feeling a little anxious. We're not sure what to expect, and this may have been a long time coming. But therapy is different to most other health appointments we may have had. This time we're sitting across from a professional whose whole job is to listen, and to take the time to understand what's going on for you.

The first sessions are about getting to know you: what's brought you here, and what you'd like to work on, whether you already know or we figure that out together. This is also where we start to learn what's led up to this moment, the context behind what's going on, not just the problem on its own.

Ongoing support

From there, we start trying things together, putting different approaches into practice and adjusting as we go. Therapy is collaborative, it's something we do together. Sarsha values the understanding and wisdom you bring from your own life and experience. She brings her knowledge of psychology, and together we work to understand what's showing up and what we can do about it. More on the evidence-based therapies Sarsha works with.

Some people come for a few sessions around something specific, others find longer-term work more useful, particularly for patterns that have been around a while. There's no set number upfront. It's something we can keep talking about as we go, based on how things are landing for you, what you want to work on and what works financially.

Most people start fortnightly. Sessions closer together early on make it easier to build momentum and to carry something from one session into the next, rather than spending each one catching up.

As things settle, many people move to monthly, or drop back to occasional check-ins. Frequency is something we decide together and revisit as we go, taking into account what's useful, what fits around your life, and what's manageable financially.

Sometimes it can feel like the hardest part about attending therapy is finding the right fit. There can be a lot to make sense of, such as different qualifications, or the different approaches psychologists take to therapy. And just like relationships outside the therapy room, things can feel different with different psychologists.

What do the different titles mean?

In Australia, using the title psychologist means at least four years of study, and further supervised practice, have been completed, and they are fully qualified. They'll use the title “Registered Psychologist”, “Generally Registered Psychologist”, or just “Psychologist”.

From here, some psychologists will choose to do further postgraduate study. They'll go on to use a title of endorsement, such as “Clinical Psychologist” or “Clinical Neuropsychologist”. Others will choose to complete a PhD, producing an original and substantial piece of research in their niche field of study. They will use the title “Dr”.

Areas of interest

Some therapists naturally specialise in some things over others. A good therapist will always welcome a check-in to make sure it's a good fit for everyone. You can see the kinds of things Sarsha works with here.

Different approaches

The way psychologists like to work can be different too. There is often more than one way to effectively approach the same problem. If this is a question you already have, you can read about the evidence-based approaches Sarsha likes to work with.

So who should I see?

Beyond all of this, psychology treatment research consistently finds that the relationship between a client and their psychologist is one of the best predictors of how well therapy goes. This can mean feeling understood, or feeling safe enough to share the hard things and then work on them.

Of course, the hope is that there's always a good fit here. This is also something you can bring into the room, so together we can make sure you're sitting across from someone who gets you.

A 50-minute individual session is $230. With a Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP, you may be eligible for a Medicare rebate of $101.55, bringing the out-of-pocket cost to $128.45.

No referral is required to book. This is only needed if you'd like to claim the rebate.

Private health insurance rebates may be available to you depending on your provider.

Medicare and private health rebates cannot be claimed for the same session, but you can use them separately across different sessions.

The Australian Psychological Society's recommended price guide for a standard session is $330. Here, fees are kept well below this recommendation in an effort to make therapy more accessible for everyone.

A Mental Health Care Plan is a document your GP writes with you. With it (and a referral), Medicare pays part of the cost of up to 10 sessions each calendar year.

See a GP at your regular clinic, or one you plan to keep seeing. Book a longer appointment and say it's for a mental health plan.

You don't need a diagnosis before you go, or to be in crisis. Your GP will ask how you've been and decide whether a plan suits you.

If you like, ask for a referral to Sarsha and send it to her before your first session. Sessions before the referral date can't be rebated. The first referral covers up to 6 sessions. Your GP can then refer you for the remaining 4 of your 10.

Life happens, and sometimes plans need to change. If you do need to cancel or reschedule, please give at least 48 hours' notice. Appointments cancelled or rescheduled with less than 48 hours' notice are charged the full session fee. This is because the appointment time has been reserved specifically for you and cannot be offered to someone else at that short notice. If you're too unwell to attend, please get in touch. Sessions can be moved to telehealth or rescheduled instead. If there is a seriously extenuating circumstance, please reach out and we can see what's possible.

Sarsha doesn't offer couples counselling or family therapy with all members in the room. She is happy to work individually with people on relationship and family concerns.

Yes. Sarsha sees clients in person from her consulting room in Fremantle, and by secure video across Perth, greater Western Australia and Australia-wide. Medicare rebates apply to telehealth in the same way as in-person sessions.

Growing up in the Clarence Valley and living in Yamba, Sarsha understands how thin on the ground psychologists are in rural areas. She's able to see anyone Australia-wide via telehealth, and is glad to be an option for people in the Northern Rivers who'd otherwise face a long wait or a long drive.

Yes. Sarsha is an NDIS psychologist in Fremantle. She works with self-managed and plan-managed participants in person in her Fremantle consulting room, by telehealth, or as a home visit across Perth. Fees are set in line with the NDIS Price Guide.

More about NDIS psychology with Sarsha