What can I expect from therapy?

A licensed psychologist can provide a range of mental health services to help you overcome challenges, improve your relationships, and achieve your therapeutic goals. Some common reasons people seek therapy include anxiety, depression, relationship problems, trauma, and stress. Your time in therapy begins with being truly heard and validated in your experience—that is our priority. Sometimes, we will challenge your thoughts and perspectives. Other times, we will work together to plan and problem-solve. Each journey is unique, so therapy will look a little different for everyone.

You can generally expect a collaborative process where we explore the challenges you are facing or the goals you would like to pursue, considering these in the context of your personal history and experiences. From there, we will co-create a plan that feels right for you.

Therapy is a team effort. We will work together to find the best way forward, whether that involves processing past pain, developing practical strategies, exploring your identity and aspirations, or simply engaging in honest, meaningful conversations.

Lastly, each session will run for 50 minutes. Please note that if you arrive late, the session duration cannot be extended.

What can I expect in my first session?

Prior to your first session, you will receive an electronic copy of the initial intake forms via email. These forms must be completed before attending your appointment.

The first session involves gathering information—expect to do most of the talking while we take notes to ensure we capture your story. Following this, we will work together to identify what you might benefit from in therapy, whether it’s developing practical strategies, exploring underlying beliefs and emotions, or gaining clarity about the past, present, or future.

For adults, the initial session focuses on understanding what has brought you to therapy and reviewing any relevant history. The depth of this discussion may vary depending on individual needs.

For children or adolescents and their parent/s or caregiver/s, the first session also serves as an introduction, though the structure may vary. We may meet all together, with caregivers alone, with the young person alone, or a combination of these approaches. From there, we will collaboratively determine the best structure for future sessions.

Do I need a referral?

You do not require a referral to be seen at The Nurture Project. However, should you wish to claim Medicare rebates, you will need a valid referral and mental health care plan from your GP. We do not offer bulk billing.

What is your cancellation policy?

Two business days’ notice is required if you need to cancel or reschedule an appointment, or a late cancellation fee will be charged. Cancellations/rescheduling within two business days has a fee of 50% of the usual session fee applied. For example, if you have a Saturday appointment, please cancel by the Wednesday prior to avoid a late cancellation fee. Cancellations/rescheduling within one business day has 100% (or the full fee) of the usual session fee applied. A business day is defined as starting at 9.00am and finishing at 5.00pm.

​Please note, the notice period excludes Saturdays and Sundays, public holidays and clinic closure days/periods.

A reminder SMS will be sent to you to confirm your appointment. Please note that sessions must be explicitly cancelled or the fee will be incurred – just because an appointment is not confirmed does not mean we will assume you are not coming!

Repeat cancellations or no-shows will lead to a discussion about whether attending therapy at this time in your life is viable, or whether we need to take a break. This is to help us ensure that we can help as many people as possible! Please see our cancellation fees outlined on our Fees page.

If you do not attend your scheduled appointment, do not call us to cancel/reschedule outside the cancellation notice period above, or you contact us to cancel your appointment once your session has commenced, 100% of the appointment fee will be charged.

Do you complete assessment reports?

Yes we do! We currently offer comprehensive assessments and reports for identification of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Intellectual Disability (ID), and Specific Learning Disorder (SLD) for individuals aged 6+.

Centrelink forms are only completed in the context of an established long-term therapeutic relationship where we know you well enough to comment.

Other requests for information or brief reports should be discussed in the context of your treatment plan with your individual psychologist, but all reports or additional documentation that requires completion outside of session times will incur pro rata fees.

We do complete NDIS, WorkCover, and Medicare reports as required under these funding schemes.

How do I get a Mental Health Care Plan from my GP?

You will need to book an appointment with your GP to discuss a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP). If you are deemed eligible, you may be entitled to Medicare rebates for up to 10 individual psychological appointments per calendar year (this includes Telehealth sessions).

Do you accept private health insurance?

Yes we accept private health rebates. You will receive an invoice which you can take to your private health fund and if eligible you may receive a rebate.

What do I do if I am in a crisis?

We are not an emergency service and unfortunately cannot respond to crises.

For urgent mental health concerns or other emergencies please contact the appropriate emergency services, listed below: 

• Emergency (Police, Fire, Ambulance): 000

• Lifeline: 13 11 14

• Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636

• Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467

• PANDA: 1300 726 306