Sydney Psychologist & Sydney Counselling Services

The session fees for Sentient Professional Wellbeing therapists will vary depending on the therapist and the type of session service. Please contact our Client Care Team to learn more about our fees and rebates. A referral is not required to book an appointment with a therapist. However, a Mental Health Treatment Plan from a GP will be necessary if you would like to claim Medicare rebates through appointments with our psychologists or clinical psychologists. For psychologists, clients can first use Medicare rebates until they reach their session limit.

After that, you may be able to claim private health insurance rebates, depending on your coverage. If your concerns are work-related, you might also be eligible for tax deductions on therapy expenses.

Psychologists can offer Medicare rebates for therapy sessions, under a Mental Health Care Plan from your GP. While counsellors are not eligible to provide a Medicare rebate for their therapy sessions, these mental health professionals can offer private health insurance and tax deductions.

For private health insurance, typical subsidies vary depending on the provider, and we recommend getting in touch with your provider for more information. Additionally, those facing workplace-related issues could potentially claim therapy costs as a tax deduction.

Our Client Care Team (CCT) is dedicated to understanding your needs and will help match you with the therapist best suited to support your therapeutic journey. Whether you're seeking support for personal growth, mental health, or looking for specialised care such as executive coaching Sydney, a trusted sexual therapist Sydney or sex counselling Sydney, we’re here to help. Our CCT offers complimentary 30-minute consultations to help you pick the right therapist for your therapeutic needs. Book your session today at: https://calendly.com/sentient-support/30min

Yes, our Psychologists are registered Medicare Providers, which means that anyone with a referral from their GP for a Mental Health Treatment Plan will receive a subsidy for Psychology sessions per calendar year.

Please contact us for information on individual therapist rebates and out-of-pocket fees. For further information on Medicare rebates, please visit: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/mental-health-treatment-plan

For the remainder of the calendar year, Private Health Insurance can then be used after the 10 Medicare sessions.

Clinical Psychologist

• Typically complete 6 years of tertiary study and 2 years of supervised practical training, also known as a registrar program, requiring a minimum of 8 years of training.

• They have completed advanced APAC-accredited training in assessing, diagnosing, formulating, and treating mental health, behavioral, and emotional disorders across all life stages.

• They are trained in assessing and diagnosing mental illnesses and psychological issues and are qualified to offer guidance in clinical and compensation matters

Registered Psychologist

• Typically complete a Bachelor's degree and either a postgraduate degree or 2 years of supervised practical training, for a total of 6 years of training.

• Psychologists with general registration use evidence-based approaches to assess, diagnose, and help a wide variety of clients with their varying needs and concerns.

All mental health care professionals undertake ongoing learning and development throughout their career.

The distinction between a counsellor and a psychologist lies in their education, training, and the scope of practice. Here are some general differences:

Counsellor

• Typically holds a master's degree in counselling or a related field.

• Focuses on providing guidance, support, and interventions for personal and emotional issues. Typically, counsellors may be more specialised in specific areas of concern than psychologists

• Often works with individuals, couples, or groups to address specific concerns or challenges.

• Helps clients develop coping strategies and make decisions.

• Common settings include schools, community centres, private practice, and organisations.

• Counsellors are now trained in the treatment of mental health disorders, and are given a significant amount of practical training during their degree, often undergoing more practical experience than Psychologists.

Psychologist

• Holds a Bachelor's (Honours) or Master's degree in psychology.

• Can specialise in various areas, such as clinical psychology, counselling psychology, organisational psychology, etc.

• Has a broader scope, including the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental health disorders.

• May use a variety of therapeutic approaches and, in some cases, conduct psychological testing.

• Trained to treat and diagnose mental health disorders.

• Works in diverse settings, including hospitals, mental health clinics, private practice, academia, and research.

Psychologists can offer Medicare rebates for therapy sessions, under a Mental Health Care Plan from your GP. While counsellors are not eligible to provide a Medicare rebate for their therapy sessions, these mental health professionals can offer private health insurance and tax deductions.

Whether you need to see a psychologist or not can be a very hard decision to make, but several indicators can indicate it’s a good idea. Here are some indicators to look out for:

• Persistent Feelings of Sadness or Depression: Persistent feelings of loneliness, ongoing fatigue, and a diminished interest in activities that once brought you joy may all indicate that you're experiencing symptoms of depression.
  

• Anxiety, Overthinking or Excessive Worry: If you regularly experience feelings of being anxious, fearful, stressed or overwhelmed, it is an indication that you may have an anxiety disorder. What does this look like? Anxiety can manifest itself through a range of physical and cognitive symptoms, including a rapid heartbeat, difficulty concentrating, panic attacks, excessive sweating, or persistent stomach discomfort.

• Difficulty Coping With Stress: Life can be overwhelming at times, whether it’s your personal relationships, work expectations, or a study load. Each can put a lot of pressure on you physically and mentally. A psychologist can help you develop coping strategies.

• Trauma or Past Experiences: If you have the constant presence or sensation of a past traumatic event haunting you, then a psychologist can help you work through the aftermath and gain control of your feelings once again.

• Relationship Problems: Ongoing conflicts in relationships, whether it’s within your family, friends or a personal romantic relationship, can indicate that there is something deeper at play. Sometimes, a fresh perspective can help reveal the deeper issues behind the conflict.

• Unexplained Physical Symptoms: Experiencing physical sensations or persistent conditions such as headaches, stomach aches, fatigue or muscle tension that don’t have a clear medical correlation.

• Sensation of Being Stuck: Whether you’re feeling stuck, directionless, struggling with motivation, and can’t figure out the reason why, it could be a great idea to see someone.

When deciding whether or not you need to see a psychologist, it is a great idea to start by speaking with your GP. They are here for you and can be a fantastic sounding board to assess your situation and refer you to a psychologist if necessary.

A good psychologist will work with you to better understand your situation, what you’re dealing with, and provide tailored steps, tools and guidance on how to improve your mental health and overall sense of wellness.

Taking the first step for your mental health is always the hardest.