WE ARE NOW ABLE TO OFFER TELEPHONE & ONLINE SESSIONS to help you maintain your focus on your mental health and continue to access the support you’re used to receiving from us during this challenging time.
What can we do to reduce the risk of infection?
We are committed to minimising your risk of exposure to illness while attending your appointments with us by ensuring we are healthy when we are at work and stepping up our cleaning and hygiene practices at the practice.
We are disinfecting surfaces between sessions and following Department of Health guidelines around hygiene and encourage you to do the same:
- Cough into your elbow
- Throw soiled tissues away
- Wash your hands for a minimum of 20 seconds regularly, or use hand sanitiser often
- Stay home if you are unwell
- Practice social distancing by allowing 1.5 meters between you and others when in public places including the practice
- Self-isolate for 14 days if you returned to the State after Friday 20 March 2020 or have been in contact with someone with confirmed or suspected COVID-19.
We are ensuring team members remain at home if they are unwell. Likewise, we ask that you reschedule your appointments with us at the first sign of ill-health regardless of whether you think this may be COVID-19 or just a cold or flu.
Our late cancellation policy
Please follow our usual policy for cancellations and give us at least 24 hours’ notice to cancel or reschedule your appointment. If you are unwell and cannot give us 24 hours’ notice, please call us as soon as you can. We are happy to discuss waiving the cancellation fee during the current crisis if you are unwell, however we ask that you please give as much notice as possible, as we have other clients desperately waiting for appointments.
What if I'm Isolated?
…but well enough to have my session?
If you need to cancel your appointment due to self-isolation, you will be offered Zoom or telephone options as an alternative to cancelling. We can step you through connecting to Zoom if you’re uncertain. It’s as simple as clicking a link in an email!
What if my psychologist is isolated?
…but well enough to run my session?
We are experienced at offering sessions via telephone or Zoom (online video sessions). If your psychologist is isolated, but well enough to conduct sessions, you will be offered a telephone or Zoom consultation.
How are Zoom/phone session charged?
Sessions fees cover the time spent with your psychologist. Therefore, we charge our normal fee for telephone and Zoom sessions. Medicare rebates may apply. Please ask us if you think you might be eligible.
Those living in remote locations, classified as 4, 5, 6 and 7 by the Modified Monash Model of geographical classification, are eligible for a rebate. Enter your location into the interactive map on this website to find out its classification.
NDIS clients can use their funds for phone and online sessions. It is also expected that those with private health insurance will be able to access a rebate under the current circumstances. Please check with your insurer.
COVID-19: Things you can do
Current advice indicates that the best way to protect yourself and your family against COVID-19 is by thoroughly and frequently washing your hands with soap and water and avoid touching your eyes, mouth, and nose.
Protecting Youself Against Coronavirus
How to protect yourself against COVID-19 (Video)
I am feeling unwell, what should I do?
You can use the following self-assessment tool to help you decide what to do:
Self Assessment Tool for COVID 19
Phone your doctor or the hotline – 1800 671 738 – if you need medical attention. They will tell you what to do.
What can I do to reduce my risk of COVID 19 infection?
- Wash hands often with soap and running water, for at least 20 seconds. Dry with paper towel or a hand dryer.
- Try not to touch your eyes, nose or mouth.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you don’t have a tissue cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve or elbow.
- Stay at home if you feel sick. If you take medication make sure you have enough.
- Continue healthy habits: exercise, drink water, get plenty of sleep.
- Wearing a facemask is not necessary unless you are unwell.
- Use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser with over 60 per cent alcohol.
COVID-19 & Anxiety
It’s completely understandable that you may be experiencing heightened levels of anxiety and worry at this time. Here are some tip sheets to help you cope. They also contain some tips on how to talk to children about the Coronavirus and links to important government websites where you can get factual and up to date information about the virus.
Tips for coping with Coronavirus anxiety
Practice Good Self-Care
- Focus on what you can control and practice accepting what you can’t!
- Limit your exposure to mainstream and social media or other negative influences and seek out factual information from reputable sources
- Prioritise your physical and mental health
- Focus your mind on the present moment by paying attention to what you can see, hear, smell, taste or touch
- Practice gratitude and small acts of kindness
- Accept how you are feeling and distance yourself from unhelpful or negative thoughts by doing things you enjoy
- Stay connected with friends and family
- Keep your sense of humour
- Remember this will pass
- Stop and breathe!