Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a psychologist, counsellor and therapist?
Psychologists provide counselling and therapy to clients but not all counsellors or therapists are psychologists or social workers. In Australia, practicing psychologists are legally required to be registered with the national registration board, the Psychology Board of Australia and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency. The term ‘counsellor’ is not protected in Australia, so anyone can use this title.
Clinical and registered psychologists must have a minimum of six years of university training and supervised experience and take part in ongoing education to keep their skills and knowledge up to date. Seeing someone who is registered ensures you receive high quality ethical treatment from a competent practitioner who follows a strict code of conduct.
What is the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist?
Psychologists are university trained and registered practitioners who assist people with challenges they are facing in their life including depression, anxiety, stress and relationship difficulties, as well as mental health issues. Their focus is on tailoring plans to help their clients develop skills and techniques to cope with difficulties and to prevent ongoing issues, often using a combination of therapies appropriate to the situation.
Psychiatrists are specialist medical doctors who have obtained additional qualifications to practice in the specialty of psychiatry. They specialise in the diagnosis and medical treatment of mental illness and can prescribe medication as well as using other therapies.
What advice would you give to someone thinking about starting therapy? 
First and foremost, be proud of yourself for taking the initial step. The prospect of seeking help can be scary, but it can also be cathartic. My biggest piece of advice would be to go in with openness and honesty with not just yourself but with your psychologist. Reflect on why you sought out a psychologist in the first place, raise any concerns or reservations you have about therapy, and be clear in the support you require and what you want to get out of it. 
When is the right time to start therapy? 
There is no right or wrong time to start therapy. However, you have to want to do the work. While starting therapy can seem daunting, you are much more likely to succeed if you are willing and engaged. It is about participation not just attendance and requires both in and outside of session work. 
How do you choose the right psychologist for me? 
The first consideration is the practice. What is the cost? Where are they located? What is their availability? The next consideration is the psychologist. Do you have a gender preference? An age preference? Do you require a specific service area or specialisation? These considerations might not make or break a successful therapy journey, but they might help with your motivation and engagement. 
How do I start the process? 
It is not a requirement but it is recommended that you seek out a referral from your doctor (GP or psychiatrist) to get on a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP). This will entail a short to medium length GP session to discuss your mental health and expression of interest in speaking to a psychologist. You can ask your doctor to direct the referral to a psychologist of your choice and a referral to one psychologist is still valid to take to another psychologist. This referral entitles you to 10 Medicare rebated sessions with a psychologist per calendar year. The rebate is currently $96 per session. Once you have your referral, there are multiple ways you can book an appointment with Sage: 
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Call on 0480 425 776 
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Email jacob@sagepsychservices.com.au 
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Use the online booking system or on PsychologyToday 
How long is a typical session? 
A typical session is approximately 50 minutes. 
How much does it cost? 
It costs $150 per session. With a referral, you will be reimbursed approximately $96.35, meaning you only pay the $53 gap fee. The Australian Psychological Society recommends $300 per session, so even at full price this is significantly more affordable. After paying out of pocket can claim on private insurance if applicable. 
What do I need to bring to my session? 
Before your first session, you will be asked to complete 2 online forms that take no longer than 10 minutes each to complete. Unless emailed prior, the only thing you need to bring to your first appointment is your GP referral (if applicable). Once you get to the Sage office; you are invited to sit in our waiting room until you are collected for your appointment. The office is conveniently located in East Fremantle with ample parking around the building and two great coffee shops within walking distance. 
What can I expect from my first session? 
The first session will start with a conversation regarding confidentiality; I want Sage to be a safe space for both of us and that starts with establishing clear trust and boundaries. The remainder of the session is then open-ended so you can discuss your concerns, circumstances and counselling goals. 
What can I expect from ongoing sessions? 
I understand that life is nonlinear and therefore so is therapy. Therefore, I will always leave room at the start of the session to regroup on what has happened since our last session and am happy to be flexible in what we focus on to ensure you are getting the most out of our time together. Ongoing sessions also allow for further discussion and psychoeducation so we can work towards achieving your personalised concerns and goals. This may include developing insight and understanding of self, developing active coping skills, etc.  
How many sessions do I need? 
Everybody is different and it really depends on you. Some goals can be addressed rather quickly, whereas others require further engagement. It is up to you how many sessions you want to do; however, my advice is that ongoing therapy is always beneficial.  
How frequently should I be coming to sessions? 
I recommend the first 2-3 sessions to be weekly or fortnightly to build momentum and engagement. From there, we can engage at an individualised pace depending on your direction and focus. If you are given skills to develop, it is recommended leaving greater time between sessions to apply skills learnt (approximately 2-4 weeks in-between). If you are engaging in further psychodynamic exploration, it is recommended to keep the 1-3 weeks between sessions. 
Do I need a referral? 
You don’t need a referral to access my services. However, the referral will entitle you to the rebate. Without a referral, you will need to pay the full session cost out of pocket and if available, will be sent your invoice to claim with private insurance. 
What if it I don’t think it’s working? 
Communication is very important in a client-therapist relationship. If you feel like there has been little to no progress, I encourage you to discuss this with me so we can explore why. Whether it be a change in therapy mode or even a change in therapist, my priority is that you progress and achieve your individual therapy goals. 
What is your cancellation policy? 
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Notice of cancellation outside of 48 hours: No charge 
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Notice of cancellation inside of 48 hours: 50% session cost 
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Missed appointment without prior contact: 100% session cost 
*Contact within 48 hours or contact post missed appointment with a valid reason at my discretion given past attendance and reason may result in a waiving of the late cancellation fee. 
Is what I tell you confidential?
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Personal information is collected and handled in accordance with the Australian Psychological Society Code of Ethics (2007) and Australian Privacy Principles (APPs: 2014). Confidentiality of personal information is maintained as per ethical standard A.5.2 of the Code of Ethics (2007); Psychologists disclose confidential information obtained in the course of their provision of psychological services only under any one or more of the following circumstances:
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with the consent of the relevant client or a person with legal authority to act on behalf of the client;
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where there is a legal obligation to do so;
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if there is an immediate and specified risk of harm to an identifiable person or persons that can be averted only by disclosing information; or
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when consulting colleagues, or in the course of supervision or professional training, provided the psychologist conceals the identity of clients and associated parties involved; or
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obtains the client’s consent, and gives prior notice to the recipients of the information that they are required to preserve the client’s privacy, and obtains an undertaking from the recipients of the information that they will preserve the client’s privacy.
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​Please note that if you have been referred by a medical professional on a government funded intervention (such as a Mental Health Treatment Plan), then it is usual practice to provide a written reports. The reports provide limited information about your progress with the authorised treatment.
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​Please note that you have the right to refuse this consent. However, in certain situations, your refusal may mean that you will not be able to proceed with services at the clinic, especially if they are funded through a collaborative government scheme that requires reporting.