Fees & FAQs

At a glance:

Your first therapy session will involve the following things:

• Time to get to know you and what has brought you to therapy
• Space to talk about your goals, questions and hopes for treatment
• A chance for you to decide whether I feel like the right fit for you

The idea of starting therapy with a new clinician can feel quite anxiety-provoking – this is very normal. This section is here to help you understand what usually happens in a first session and what the initial goals are when you come to see me.

Research suggests that one of the most important factors in therapy is the human element of the therapist – their values, way of relating and personality – rather than just the type of intervention used. The first session is an opportunity for us to begin building a trusting, collaborative relationship.

During your first session, we will typically:

• talk about what has brought you to therapy now

• explore your current concerns, background and any relevant history

• discuss your goals for therapy and what you are hoping will be different

• cover practical information such as confidentiality, communication and how we will work together.

I will prioritise making you feel safe, respected and heard. This session also gives you a chance to get a sense of how I work and whether I feel like the right fit for you. We will discuss possible next steps and, together, decide on an initial plan for therapy.

If you have specific questions you’d like to cover in the first session, you are very welcome to bring notes or jot them down beforehand.

If anything in this section isn’t clear, or you’d like to talk it through before booking, you can contact my admin team at admin@jhpsych.com.au 

At a glance:

• Standard 50-minute session – $265 (as at July 2024)*
  A standard psychology session with Joanna Henderson, Clinical Psychologist in Spring Hill (Brisbane), is $265 for a 50-minute consultation. This fee reflects the time involved in preparation, therapy, documentation, and professional obligations required to deliver high-quality, evidence-based care.
• Cancellation fee – $150 for less than 48 hours’ notice*
  If you need to cancel or reschedule an appointment with less than 48 hours’ notice, a late cancellation fee of $150 applies.

*From 1 January 2026, clients will be required to pay all invoices automatically after session via Stripe, with a small Stripe processing fee added to your payment.

For your reference, The Australian Psychological Society (APS) National Schedule of Recommended Fees 2025–2026 recommends $318 for a standard 46-to-60-minute psychology consultation. My current rate of $265 remains below this national guideline. I aim to continue to provide my service at a fair cost for clients, while reflecting the time and resources involved in providing clinical care (including preparation, documentation, training, and clinic overheads).

Additional fees for reports and letters:

Occasionally, additional reports or letters are required to support your treatment or to communicate with other health or education professionals. Examples include:

• Progress updates to your GP or psychiatrist
• School or workplace reports
• Summary reports for ongoing care

All additional fees are discussed and confirmed in advance. For current rates, please refer to the Schedule of Fees.

PLEASE NOTE: I do not provide medico-legal reports for use in legal proceedings (including tribunals, compensation or family law matters).

Related information:

Full details of all fees, as well as cancellation and account processes please see the following practice documentation:

• Schedule of Fees
• Cancellation Policy
• Card-on-File & Stripe Processing Fee Policy
• Overdue Payments Policy

If you have any further questions about fees for sessions or other provided services (reports and letter writing), please feel free to email my lovely admin team at admin@jhpsych.com.au.

At a glance:

• Medicare rebates may be available with a valid referral and Mental Health Treatment Plan
• Most people still have an out-of-pocket “gap”
• Referrals can be faxed to 07 3112 3954 or sent via Medical Objects

Clients may be eligible for Medicare rebates when they have a valid referral and Mental Health Treatment Plan (or other eligible referral) from a GP, psychiatrist or paediatrician. In most cases there will still be an out-of-pocket “gap” between the Medicare rebate and the full session fee.

Further information about Mental Health Care Plan and Chronic Disease Management rebates and claiming is provided on this page. If you have questions about your eligibility or expected gap fee, please feel free to contact me.

For Medical Practitioners:

• Referrals can be faxed to 07 3112 3954 or sent via Medical Objects

At a glance:

• Up to 10 Medicare-rebated individual pscyhology sessions per calendar year
• Available for in-person and telehealth appointments
• Requires a referral and Mental Health Treatment Plan from a GP, psychiatrist or paediatrician
• Medicare rebate for clinical psychologists (from 1 July 2025): $145.25 per 50-minute session

As a clinical psychologist, I can provide psychological treatment under the Australian Government’s Better Access to Mental Health Care initiative. With a Mental Health Treatment Plan and a valid referral from your GP, psychiatrist or paediatrician, you may be eligible for Medicare rebates for both in-person and telehealth sessions.

Under this program, eligible clients can receive up to 10 Medicare-rebated individual psychology sessions per calendar year. These are usually provided in blocks (for example, an initial referral for up to six sessions, followed by a review with your doctor if more sessions are needed).

As of 1 July 2025, the Medicare rebate for a standard 50-minute session with a clinical psychologist is $145.25 per session. Your out-of-pocket cost is the difference between my session fee (see the Fees section) and the rebate.

If you or your family reach the Medicare Safety Net threshold for the year, the rebate for eligible services may increase, which can significantly reduce your out-of-pocket costs. The exact amount is determined by Medicare.

While my admin team do their best to keep track of your Medicare-rebated sessions and let you know as you approach your limit, Medicare considers it the client’s responsibility to monitor how many rebated sessions have been used.

If you’re unsure how this will look for you, we can talk it through in session and my admin team can help with the practical steps.

At a glance:

• For people with a chronic medical condition managed by their GP
• Up to 5 Medicare-rebated allied health sessions per calendar year
• Sessions may be shared across different allied health providers
• Medicare rebate for psychology sessions under a CDMP (from 1 July 2025): $60.35 per session

If you have a chronic medical condition, your GP may be able to prepare a Chronic Disease Management Plan (CDMP), sometimes also called an Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) Plan or Team Care Arrangement (TCA).

When a CDMP is in place, you may be eligible for up to five Medicare-rebated sessions per calendar year with allied health professionals such as psychologists, physiotherapists, dietitians and others. These five sessions are shared across all allied health providers you see under the plan.

As of 1 July 2025, the Medicare rebate for a psychology session under a CDMP is $60.35 per session. Your out-of-pocket cost is the difference between my session fee and this rebate.

To find out if you are eligible for a CDMP, you can:

• book an appointment with your GP, and

• discuss your medical history, current health concerns and treatment needs.

Your GP will decide whether a CDMP is appropriate and, if so, can prepare the plan and provide referrals to relevant allied health providers (including psychology, if suitable).

At a glance:

• Some extras policies provide rebates for sessions with a clinical psychologist
• Rebate amounts and annual limits vary between funds and levels of cover
• You usually pay the full session fee and then claim back from your fund
• You cannot claim both Medicare and private health for the same session

If you have private health insurance with extras cover, you may be able to claim a partial rebate for psychology sessions. Eligibility, rebate amounts and annual limits differ between health funds and policies, so I’m not able to guarantee your level of cover.

I recommend contacting your private health insurer directly and asking:

• whether your policy includes clinical psychology

• how much you can claim per session

• how many sessions per year are covered

• whether there are any waiting periods or other conditions.

When you contact your fund, please let them know you are seeing a clinical psychologist and provide my details if requested.

In most cases, you pay the full session fee on the day of your appointment. I’ll provide a receipt with all the details your fund needs, and you can then submit this to your health fund (usually via their app or website) to claim any rebate you’re entitled to.

Please note: You cannot claim a private health rebate if you are already receiving a Medicare rebate for that same session. You may choose either Medicare or private health for a given session, but not both.

If you have questions or are unsure which option is best for you, you are welcome to email admin@jhpsych.com.au. 

At a glance:

• I may be able to see some self-managed or plan-managed NDIS participants
• Third-party funding may be available through insurers, employers or other agencies
• A service agreement or written approval is usually required before sessions begin
• Fees, cancellations and reporting may differ from standard private fees

NDIS funding

I may be able to provide psychology services for some NDIS participants, depending on:

• whether your plan is self-managed or plan-managed

• your goals and support needs

• whether psychological therapy is included as part of your plan.

Before starting, we will:

1. Discuss your NDIS goals and the type of support you are seeking.

2. Confirm whether I am able to provide services under your current plan.

3. Complete an NDIS Service Agreement, which sets out Fees, how sessions are scheduled, cancellation rules, reporting and how invoices will be processed.

If you are an NDIS participant or carer, please contact me to discuss your situation and provide a copy of your plan details (or relevant sections) so we can work out whether I am the right fit for your supports. You can see our NIDS Policy for more details.

Other third-party funding (insurers, employers, agencies)

In some circumstances I may also be able to see clients where sessions are funded by a third party, such as:

• an insurer (for example, income protection or other private insurer)

• an employer or Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

• other agencies or organisations requesting an assessment or report.

For third-party funding, I generally require:

• written approval from the funder before appointments are booked

• a clear understanding of what is covered (number of sessions, report fees, non-attendance fees, etc.)

• a signed Third-Party / Medico-Legal Service Agreement, where relevant.

Fees, cancellations and reports

Fees for NDIS and other third-party arrangements may differ from my standard private fees. This is because they often include:

• additional time for communication, paperwork and reporting

• specific invoicing or portal requirements

• different cancellation rules set by the funder or scheme.

The relevant Service Agreement (NDIS or Third-Party) and my Schedule of Fees will outline:

• session fees and what is claimable

• how invoices are issued and paid

• cancellation and non-attendance fees

• charges for reports, letters and case conferences.

If you are considering using NDIS or another third-party funding source, please contact admin@jhpsych.com.au so we can discuss your circumstances and confirm what is possible.

At a glance:

• I’m not an emergency or crisis service. If you are in immediate danger, please call 000 or go to your nearest hospital emergency department.

If you are in immediate danger

If you or someone else is at immediate risk of harm, please do not wait for an appointment with me or for an email reply. Instead, contact:

• Triple Zero (000) – for police, ambulance or fire in life-threatening or time-critical emergencies 

• Your nearest hospital Emergency Department (present in person or call ahead)

• If you can’t safely use the phone, ask someone you trust to call 000 on your behalf

If you need urgent support but it’s not an emergency

If you are distressed and need to talk to someone before our next session, the following 24/7 crisis lines can provide immediate support:

• Lifeline – 13 11 14 (24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention)

• Suicide Call Back Service – 1300 659 467 (24/7 counselling for people at risk of suicide, those concerned about someone, or bereaved by suicide) 

• 1300 MH CALL (1300 642 255) – Queensland Mental Health Access Line (24/7 confidential mental health triage, connecting you with your local public mental health service)

You can also:

• Contact your GP for an urgent appointment

• If you see a psychiatrist, check if they have an after-hours message or crisis plan

Contacting the clinic

If you are a current client and feeling unsafe but not in immediate danger, you are welcome to contact the clinic:

• Email: admin@jhpsych.com.au

I will do my best to respond as soon as possible during business hours, but please be aware:

• Emails and messages are not monitored 24/7

• I may not be able to respond immediately

• Email is not appropriate for emergencies or crisis situations

If you are ever unsure whether to wait, it is safer to contact 000, your nearest Emergency Department, or one of the 24/7 crisis lines above.

At a glance:

• Your physical and emotional safety at the clinic is very important to me. I aim to provide a space that is private, respectful, and comfortable, and I’ll work with you to plan around any access or safety concerns.
• For information about urgent or emergency support outside session times, please see the FAQ: “What should I do if I need urgent or emergency support?”

Creating a safe environment

I work to ensure the clinic space is:

• Private and respectful, so you can speak openly

• Clean and well maintained, following appropriate hygiene practices

• Managed in line with my Work Health & Safety (WHS) Policy

The clinic is located in Ladhope Chambers at 131 Wickham Terrace, which has both stair and lift access; parking is available on surrounding streets or across the road at the Wickham Terrace Car Park.

Letting me know about access or safety concerns

Please let me know (before your appointment if you can, or whenever you feel able) if you:

• Have mobility or accessibility needs

• Feel unsure about attending with another person (for example, concerns about safety in a relationship or family situation)

• Feel unsafe in or around the clinic for any reason

We can then discuss options such as:

• Changing to telehealth (video or phone)

• Having a support person attend

• Adjusting appointment times or arrangements

• Safety planning around arrival, departure, or who attends the session

If you are physically unwell please let admin know and we may switch to telehealth or reschedule your appointment to help protect you, other clients, and the broader community.

If you feel unsafe or overwhelmed during a session

If you feel unsafe, overwhelmed, or distressed during a session, please let me know. We can:

• Slow down or take a break

• Use grounding or calming strategies

• Adjust what we’re talking about or how we are working

• Create or review a safety plan together if needed

If I am seriously concerned about your immediate safety while you are at the clinic, I may:

• Contact a nominated support person (where appropriate and with your consent, unless there is a serious and immediate risk), and/or

• Seek assistance from emergency services to help keep you safe

Safety during telehealth sessions

For telehealth appointments, I will usually:

• Confirm your location at the start of the session

• Confirm a current contact number

This helps keep you safe if there is a serious concern during the session. If a significant safety concern arises and we are disconnected, I may try to contact you and, if needed, use the information I have on file to request a welfare check or contact emergency services.

Behaviour expectations

To support a safe environment for everyone, the clinic has a zero-tolerance policy for aggressive, abusive, or threatening behaviour. If such behaviour occurs and there is a risk to anyone’s safety, I may end the session and/or request assistance (for example, from building management or emergency services).

Further details about safety, risk management and emergencies are set out in my Client Agreement (you will get this after you book your first session) and Work Health & Safety (WHS) Policy.

At a glance:

• At least 48 hours’ notice is required to cancel or reschedule
• Late cancellations or non-attendance are charged at $150
• Cancellation fees cannot be claimed through Medicare or private health insurance
• Telehealth is often available if you are too unwell or unable to attend in person

Session times are in high demand, and I hold your appointment time specifically for you. If you need to cancel or reschedule your session, I ask that you provide at least 48 hours’ notice.

If you cancel or reschedule with less than 48 hours’ notice, or do not attend your appointment, a cancellation fee of $150 will apply. This fee is not eligible for a Medicare rebate or private health insurance claim.

I understand that unexpected things come up. This cancellation policy is there to help me keep appointment times available and to run the practice sustainably. When flexibility is possible, I may be able to offer a telehealth appointment as an alternative if you are too unwell or otherwise unable to attend in person.

Full details are set out in the Cancellation Policy, Schedule of Fees, Card-on-File & Stored Payment Details Policy, Overdue Payments & Accounts Policy and Client Agreement.

If you’re unsure how this applies in your situation, you’re welcome to email my admin team at admin@jhpsych.com.au  

At a glance:

• Telehealth sessions are available via secure video or telephone
• Same session length, fees and Medicare rebates as in-person appointments
• You’ll need a private, quiet space and a stable internet or phone connection
• Telehealth is not suitable for emergencies – in a crisis, call 000 or attend your nearest emergency department

I offer clients the option of telehealth appointments (secure videoconference or telephone) where this is clinically appropriate and you consent to this way of working. Telehealth can be a good option if you are unwell, live further away, are travelling, or need more flexibility.

When providing telehealth, I am required to meet the same professional, ethical and legal standards as for in-person sessions, including confidentiality and record-keeping.

What I need from you

By booking a telehealth appointment, you agree to:

• be in a private, quiet and safe space where you are unlikely to be interrupted
• not drive or operate machinery during the session
• let me know your physical location and a contact phone number at the start of each telehealth session
• use a device and internet/phone connection that are as stable as possible.

If the connection drops out, I will first try to reconnect. If that isn’t possible, we may continue by telephone where appropriate, or reschedule the appointment.

Confidentiality and recording

Telehealth sessions are not to be audio- or video-recorded without prior written agreement. I will not record our sessions without your knowledge and consent, except in rare circumstances where this is required by law.

Full details about telehealth, including risks, benefits and your rights, are set out in my Client Agreement, which you recieved before your first session.

At a glance:

• AI tools are used only to support your care (for example, drafting notes, letters and resources)
• I remain fully responsible for all clinical decisions and the content of your records
• Wherever possible, information used with AI tools is de-identified
• You can opt in or out of AI use at any time, without it affecting your access to therapy

In my practice I use carefully selected artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support some parts of my clinical and administrative work. These tools may help with tasks such as:

• drafting or structuring session notes

• assisting with letters and reports (for example, to your GP)

• organising information and resources to better support your treatment.

AI is simply a support tool – it does not replace human care or judgement. I review, edit and approve all AI-assisted content before it becomes part of your clinical record or is sent to anyone.

Privacy, confidentiality and your data

Your privacy is very important to me. When AI tools are used:

• I follow the processes set out in my AI Policy, Client Agreement (recieved when you book your first appointment) and Privacy Policy

• wherever possible, information is de-identified (for example, using initials or omitting personal details that are not needed for the task)

• I only use AI tools that have appropriate security measures in place

• your information is never sold and is not used for marketing.

Full details about how AI tools interact with your information are outlined in the AI Policy and Client Agreement (which you recieve before your first session).

Your choice and consent

Use of AI in your care is optional:

• You can choose to opt in or opt out of AI use.

• You can withdraw or change your consent at any time by letting me know, and I will update your preferences in line with the AI Policy and Client Agreement.

Your access to psychological treatment will not be affected if you choose not to consent to AI use. If you have questions about AI in the practice, you are welcome to email admin@jhpsych.com.au.

At a glance:

• Your information is kept confidential and primarily used to provide you with safe, effective care
• There are some legal and ethical limits to confidentiality, which I will explain
• Your records are stored securely with restricted access
• Records are kept for at least the minimum time required by law and then securely destroyed
• You can request access to, or correction of, your record

How your information is collected and used

I collect personal and sensitive information about you so that I can provide you with safe, high-quality psychological care. This may include:

• contact details and basic personal information

• information about your mental and physical health

• information from your referring doctor or other health providers

• information you share during sessions, questionnaires and assessments.

This information is used to:

• understand your concerns and plan treatment

• keep clinical records of our sessions and progress

• communicate with your GP or other providers where appropriate and with your consent

• manage appointments, billing, Medicare/NDIS or other funding arrangements

• meet legal, regulatory and professional obligations.

Confidentiality and its limits

What you discuss in therapy is generally kept confidential. However, there are some situations where I may be required or permitted to share information, such as when:

• there is a serious risk of harm to you or someone else

• there are concerns about the safety or welfare of a child

• I am required by law to disclose information (for example, by a court order)

• it is otherwise authorised or required under privacy or health laws.

Wherever possible, I will discuss this with you and obtain your consent before sharing information, unless it is not safe or practicable to do so. Full details are explained in the Client Agreement (received when you book your first appointment) and Privacy Policy.

How your records are stored and for how long

Your records may be stored in secure electronic systems and/or paper files. I take reasonable steps to ensure that your information is:

• stored in secure, password-protected or locked systems

• accessed only by people who need the information to provide or support your care

• protected against loss, misuse and unauthorised access.

Records are kept for at least the minimum period required by law (for example, a number of years after your last contact, or longer if you were under 18 at the time of treatment or if other legal requirements apply). After this time, records are securely destroyed or de-identified in line with my Records Management, Retention & Destruction Policy.

Accessing or correcting your information

You are generally entitled to access your personal information and to request that any information you believe is inaccurate, incomplete or out of date be corrected.

If you would like access to your record, please let me know in writing (for example, by email). I will:

• discuss what you are seeking and the best way to provide it

• respond within a reasonable timeframe

• explain any limitations if full access is not possible, and discuss alternative options.

In some cases, a reasonable administration fee may apply for preparing copies or summaries, which will be discussed with you beforehand.

If something goes wrong

I have a Data Breach Response Plan that outlines what will happen if there is a suspected or actual privacy breach, including:

• steps to contain and investigate the breach

• efforts to mitigate any harm

• when and how you will be notified

• any reporting obligations to relevant authorities.

For full details about how your information is collected, stored, used and protected, please refer to my Privacy Policy, Records Management, Retention & Destruction Policy and Client Agreement (provided before your first appointment).

At a glance:

• Feedback – positive or negative – is welcome and encouraged
• You can raise concerns in session, or by email or letter
• Making a complaint will not affect your access to care or how you are treated
• External complaint bodies (such as the Office of the Health Ombudsman and Ahpra) are also available

Sharing feedback

I value feedback as it helps me understand what is working well and where things can be improved. You are welcome to:

• discuss your feedback directly with me in session, or

• email feedback to admin@jhpsych.com.au

Feedback may relate to any part of your experience, including communication, appointments, fees, reports or the therapeutic process.

If you have a concern or complaint

If you are unhappy with any aspect of your care, I encourage you to raise this with me so we can try to resolve it together. You can:

• talk about your concern in a session, and/or

• send a written complaint by email setting out what happened and what outcome you are hoping for.

You are welcome to bring a support person to a session where we discuss your concern, if that feels helpful.

If you do raise a concern, I’ll acknowledge it, look into what has happened, and let you know what steps I can take to address it.

External complaint options

If you feel unable to raise your concern with me directly, or if you are not satisfied with the outcome, you may choose to contact:

• the Office of the Health Ombudsman (Queensland) – for concerns about health services in Queensland

• the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) / Psychology Board of Australia – for concerns about professional conduct or performance.

Details for these organisations are provided in the Complaints & Feedback Policy.