What To Expect 

Client-Practitioner Match

The most important variable in effective treatment is client-practitioner match. A client must really like their practitioner and feel understood and supported by them. Your practitioner needs to become your greatest advocate, and this can only occur if you find the ‘right’ one for you. This doesn’t mean that they will always be agreeable, as growth comes from occasionally being challenged. However, you need to be able to build a safe and trusting connection with your practitioner for the work to be effective. It is for this reason that before we match you with a practitioner you will need to provide a brief summary of your circumstance and reasons for wanting to start therapy.

The Engagement Process

When you first contact Minded Psychology our lovely Practice Manager will walk you through a brief phone assessment. This information will allow us to recommend the best practitioner for your needs and personality. We understand that this information can be sensitive, so please let us know if you'd prefer to answer these questions via an Email Form.

Please note that because we prioritise match over availability there may be a waiting period. For this reason, we ask you to indicate whether you would like a second option in order to see someone sooner. Please also indicate whether you would prefer to see a practitioner at Minded Psychology, as sometimes we recommend an external practitioner if they are better suited to your needs and presentation.

Session Scheduling

Consistent sessions are essential for successful mental health outcomes. Not only does consistency allow for a strong therapeutic relationship to form but it also allows for consolidation of treatment. To ensure your therapy is consistent and to prevent your practitioner from booking out, we will reserve a regular session time for you. As you stabilise the frequency of your regular session will decrease, until you feel confident to finish therapy. The number of sessions required are unique to each client and are decided on by you and your practitioner.

Please note that there is limited availability for session times outside of school/business hours. When these times become available they are reserved for clients who have already engaged in therapy and have been waitlisted for them. Unsurprisingly, research has found that academic and occupational performance significantly improves when people are emotionally and socially well. As a result most schools and employers are supportive of their students/staff attending therapy within business hours. Please let your practitioner know if you require an attendance letter.

Initial Assessment Session

The first session is an assessment session where your practitioner will ask you a range of detailed questions about your history and presentation. The information collected in this session will allow your practitioner to construct a tailored treatment plan and contact other care providers if necessary. These sessions typically range between 60-90 minutes in length.

Parent Sessions

If a parent makes initial contact they will be required to attend the assessment session without their child (regardless of age). They will also be required to attend intermittent parent feedback sessions throughout the course of their child's treatment. Frequency of parent sessions will be recommended by your practitioner and will depend on on-going assessment of psychological functioning. 

Lifestyle Factors

Nutrition and other lifestyle factors play an important role when it comes to a successful recovery. It is for this reason that your practitioner may require some compliance with lifestyle changes. Depending on your progress your practitioner may recommend involvement from another specialty. Practitioners at Minded Psychology value the mind-body-gut connection so it is not uncommon for us to work alongside nutritionists, naturopaths, functional medicine specialists, holistic chiropractors, and DNA specialists. With your consent your practitioner will collaborate regularly with your healthcare team. 

Practice Management Software

Minded Psychology prides itself on being a paper-free practice. We use an on-line practice management software called Halaxy to store your client file (including personalised information, payment details and session notes). This software is encrypted and equivalent to bank grade security. Minded Psychology values the efficiency that this software provides, as it allows your practitioner to dedicate more time to therapy than they otherwise would be able to with paper files. For more information on Halaxy's security please refer to the following link – https://www.halaxy.com/feature/bank-grade-security