FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Psychiatric treatment encompasses a wide range of services aimed at addressing mental health challenges and promoting overall well-being. Whether you’re seeking support for mood disorders, anxiety, or any other mental health concern, our general psychiatric services are here to help.

Please read the following Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to learn more about our mental health services.

General FAQs

  • A referral from a general practitioner is required from your treating doctor to organize a consultation with us.

  • The initial session is an opportunity for us to connect and begin understanding your unique needs and goals, as everyone is different. Together, we’ll explore what brings you here, what you hope to achieve, and how I can best support you.

    During this time, we’ll focus on identifying your mental health needs, building a trusting relationship, and, if appropriate, drafting a tentative treatment plan tailored to your situation. Most importantly, this session is a safe space for you to share openly and begin the path toward growth and healing.

  • Everyone’s mental health plan is different. It depends on what is your objective to see the psychiatrist. For some clients, they might book in for a review and this can be done in a single session; for others, they may need a few sessions to address the issues that they wish to work on.

    In our first appointment, I will be able to give you a better idea as to how I would approach the treatment and how many sessions you would need.

    Regular attendance is important to ensure you see benefits from our work together. Further down the treatment journey, we may put some gaps between the sessions to allow the time you need to apply the skills you have learned in our work together.

  • Definitely. As a Psychiatrist, I have a duty to maintain confidentiality. This includes video sessions; no one will be able to hear what we are discussing, and it is important that you are also in a confidential space too.

  • We offer both face-to-face appointments and remote consultations, depending on your preference and circumstances. Please let us know your preferred option when scheduling your appointment.

    It would be preferable if the first appointment is done in-person, and the subsequent ones are remotely via Telehealth.

  • If it is agreed upon that it is a Telehealth appointment, you will be sent a link prior to our session. The session will run in the same way as a face-to-face appointment, and I will share any necessary materials via screen share and email.

    Online video therapy works well for people who prefer to have therapy at a time and place that is convenient for them. Lots of people feel more comfortable in their own space and this can help you to feel at ease during our appointment.

    Cutting out the time travelling to and from appointments can also give you more time to do the things you want to do in life.

  • Consultations are usually available on Mondays - Fridays from 9am - 5pm AEST / AEDT time. However, if this may not suit, please let us know and I will see how best to accommodate you where possible.

  • We do get booked very quickly, and our appointments tend to fill up fast. If my caseload is full, I may open a limited waitlist for individuals whose needs allow them to safely wait for consultations. Please feel free to reach out directly to inquire about availability or to be considered for the waitlist.

  • We understand that life can be unpredictable, and there are times you may need to adjust your
    scheduled appointment.  We will try our best to facilitate the changes in appointments as required.

    Please get in touch with the relevant practices to reschedule or modify your appointment.

     Contact Brighton Minds at (03) 9110 0041 or at admin@brightonminds.com.au if circumstances change and you cannot make your scheduled appointment.

    For appointments at Flourish Health, please call (+61) 457 497 994 or at admin@thrivepsychiatry.com.au to make changes.

    A cancellation fee may apply if cancellation occurs within 48 hours of the scheduled appointment time or if there is a non-attendance for both face-to-face and online appointments.

  • Yes, as a qualified Medical Practitioner, I am certified to prescribe.

  • The Medicare rebate can be accessed for all clinical consultations with me if you have a valid referral. 

    We will provide you with the schedule of fees and the Medicare rebates in your Welcome Letter. You are welcome to get in touch with the administration team if you need further clarification.

  • Medicare is more commonly used for consultations. We also accept private health insurance.