Service Agreement

This Service Agreement contains important information about the professional services and business policies relevant to Head Start Counselling & Psychology. It is important you read and understand this Service Agreement before engaging with Head Start Counselling & Psychology.

Session Structure

Therapy is tailored to each client’s individual needs, goals, and pace. While every therapeutic journey is unique, many clients follow a general structure as outlined below:

Sessions 1–2: Explore concerns and background, establish the working relationship, and clarify therapy goals.
Sessions 3–5: Begin implementing therapeutic strategies and monitor progress.
Sessions 6 and beyond: Ongoing review and refinement of strategies, with discussion of continuation or planned conclusion of therapy based on progress.

Session frequency and duration are collaboratively determined. Weekly sessions are often recommended at the outset but can be adjusted depending on your needs.

Session Duration

Sessions run for 50 minutes (or 60 minutes for couples therapy). Sessions begin and end at the scheduled time. If you arrive late, the session will still finish at the scheduled time to ensure fairness to all clients.

If technical difficulties occur during a Telehealth session and cannot be resolved, the session will be rescheduled. Phone or in-person options may be offered as alternatives.

Fees

Psychology:

Psychology clients with a valid Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) may be eligible for a Medicare rebate of $96.65 per session.

Initial session (50 minutes): $285
With MHCP: Medicare rebate of $96.65
Out-of-pocket cost: $188.35

Standard session (50 minutes): $255
With MHCP: Medicare rebate of $96.65
Out-of-pocket cost: $158.35

Counselling:

Initial session (50 minutes): $175
Standard session (50 minutes, business hours): $150
After-hours session (50 minutes, from 5:00pm weekdays or Saturdays): $175
Couples session (60 minutes): $290

Cancellation Policy

We recognise that unforeseen circumstances can arise, and cancelling an appointment may at times be necessary. For this reason, we are transparent about our cancellation policy. While cancellation fees are never ideal, they are a standard part of maintaining fair and consistent service.

To support fairness, consistency, and therapeutic outcomes, we ask that clients provide a minimum of 48 hours’ notice to cancel or reschedule an appointment.

Late cancellations (less than 48 hours’ notice) or non-attendance will incur the full session fee.
If you arrive more than 25 minutes late, the session will be considered a non-attendance and charged in full.
If you are experiencing financial hardship, please discuss this with your psychologist.
Repeated missed or cancelled appointments may lead to a review of service suitability.
Head Start Counselling & Psychology reserves the right to reschedule sessions due to practitioner illness or unforeseen circumstances.

Payment Options

Face-to-face sessions: Pay in advance online or at the end of session using EFTPOS, EFT, or cash. Telehealth sessions: Must be paid in advance at the time of booking through the website

Reporting & Documentation

We do not provide reports for legal or court-related matters, workplace assessments, insurance claims, or medico-legal and forensic purposes. If you require documentation for these purposes, we recommend consulting your GP or referrer to locate a service that provides suitable assessments and reports.

Confidentiality

In the event you are determined to be a risk of harm to yourself or others, have committed or intend to commit a serious crime, or where required by law, the client-counsellor confidentiality and terms of the privacy policy may be breached. This is in order to ensure the safety of you, and others around you, and to comply with any legal requirements (such as court orders). Otherwise your Information is confidential and can only be shared with your permission.