Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialise in mental health. They undergo extensive training to obtain specialist qualifications, typically 5 to 10 years beyond their primary medical degree. Psychiatrists excel in assessing, diagnosing, and treating mental illnesses using a range of therapeutic interventions, including both pharmaceutical and non-medication approaches such as Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and psychological therapies. On the other hand, psychologists are university graduates with a Master’s degree in Psychology. They focus on examining, diagnosing, and addressing psychological difficulties and behavioural dysfunctions associated with physical and mental health. Additionally, psychologists play a vital role in promoting healthy behaviours, preventing maladaptive behaviours, and enhancing overall quality of life. Unlike psychiatrists, psychologists do not prescribe medications. Clinical psychologists undergo additional academic studies, typically three – five years towards a doctorate, to specialise in clinical practice.
We recognise that your treatment is based on your strengths and is unique. Specialists at Mind Connections Specialist Health Services allow you to realise your potential so you can recognise your strengths. This insight motivates skills development, resulting in increased productivity, better role functioning and improved relationships.
You are eligible for Medicare rebates,
a) if you provide a referral letter from your GP addressed to the Specialist. You must have a referral letter and a GP mental health Care Plan to see a psychologist.
b) You have a valid Medicare or Healthcare card.
Registering for Medicare Safety Net can reduce your medical expenses for outpatient appointments.
When you /your family exceed the threshold per calendar year for Medicare Safety Net, you are eligible for more rebates (more money in your pocket) up to 80% rebate on your gap payments).
Visit the Medicare website https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/medicare-safety-nets or the Medicare office for more information.
You are welcome to bring a support person or family member to your appointment. Your treating Specialist will typically spend time with you before inviting the accompanied person. It is common for specialists to see the accompanied person separately to obtain collateral information, with your consent.
At your initial appointment, you will meet with your treating consultant. During this session, the consultant will ask you to provide information about yourself and your reasons for seeking assistance.
The Specialist will engage in dialogue to ensure a thorough understanding of your difficulties and may offer education and brief suggestions to assist you. It’s important to note that arriving at a diagnosis of your condition may not be possible during the first session. Typically, it takes 2 to 3 sessions to complete a comprehensive diagnostic assessment.
Following the initial appointment, your treating Specialist will collaborate with you to develop a personalised plan aimed at improving your health and well-being. Subsequent sessions will focus on implementing the strategies identified in the plan to support your growth and progress towards your desired outcomes.
Your Specialist or psychologist will regularly review your progress and make any necessary adjustments to the treatment plan to ensure you are on track to achieve your goals. This ongoing dialogue and flexibility in the treatment approach are designed to optimise your outcomes and support your journey towards positive change.
Yes. Medicare allows MBA item 291 for Psychiatrists to conduct assessments, arrive at a clinical diagnosis and provide a detailed written management plan so your GP/Nurse Practitioner can care for you for the next 12 months.
You may have to attend 1 – 3 sessions based on the complexity of your situation.
Please ask your GP/Nurse Practitioner to request item 291 in their referral. By requesting item 291, the GP/Nurse Practitioner agrees to follow the Psychiatrist’s management plan and provide continuity of care for you.
No problems.
Your GP/Nurse Practitioner must write a re-referral to the Psychiatrist requesting a review under item 293.
Every Mind Connections Specialist Health Services clinician and administrative staff member values your feedback and suggestions, as they can significantly benefit other clients.
We believe in striving for excellence in service delivery, and your input plays a crucial role in helping us achieve that goal. We encourage all patients to provide feedback on their experiences with us.
You can help others by leaving a Google review <insert the link>.
Your words matter, and they can make a difference in the lives of others seeking mental health support. Thank you for being a part of our community and sharing your journey with us.
There are several convenient ways to book an appointment with Mind Connections Specialist Health Services:
a) Visit our website and click on your preferred location, either Carlingford link or Norwest link . From there, you can easily find the next available appointment with individual practitioners and follow the prompts for new or follow-up patients.
b) Contact us directly via email, and we will promptly respond within two working days with details and further instructions.
c) Your referring practitioner (your GP, another specialist, or a nurse practitioner) can also make appointments for you. Simply ask your referrer to complete your referral directly via our website and email it to one of our offices.
Norwest office email: norwest@mindconnectionsshs.com.au
Carlingford office email: carlingford@mindconnectionsshs.com.au
The staff will contact you with details and further instructions within two working days.
Yes. Booking appointments 24 hours days via online booking system is easy and convenient.
Please note, your referral will be invalid if you have not seen your treating Specialist within the last 12 months. You must obtain a new referral from your GP or nurse practitioner if this is you.
A GP or a Nurse Practitioner referral letter allows you to get the Medicare reimbursements.
You still can see a specialist without a referral letter, subject to paying the full fee out-of-pocket.
Determining the validity of your referral depends on both the time frame and the specialty:
a)Time-limited referral:
Your GP/Nurse Practitioner may issue a time-limited referral, typically valid for 12 months, after which it expires. It’s advisable to request an indefinite referral to avoid expiration. Referrals from other medical specialists are valid for three months only
b)New referral required:
You will need a new referral if you have not seen the treating Psychiatrist for more than 24 months.
Yes, you do. You need a referral letter and a GP Mental Health Care Plan from either a GP or a Nurse Practitioner to schedule an appointment with a psychologist.
The validity of your referral to see a psychologist is typically determined by the referral letter and a GP Mental Health Care Plan:
- The referral letter and GP Mental Health Care Plan addressed to the psychologist are valid for ten sessions per calendar year.
- After six sessions, it is required that the psychologist updates the GP about the progress.
- You must then see your GP to discuss your progress.
- If further continuity of care is needed, the GP will re-refer you to the psychologist for the remaining four sessions.
This cycle can be repeated every calendar year.
You can still see a psychiatrist or psychologist without a valid referral. However, please note that in such cases, you will be required to pay the full fee for the services rendered, and no Medicare reimbursement will be available for these services.
Yes, you do. To participate in group therapy programs, you will need a referral to the Psychiatrist and a GP Mental Health Care Plan addressed to the psychologist.
Group therapy sessions at Mind Connections Specialists Health Services are typically delivered by psychiatrists and psychologists, with each session lasting one hour, totaling two hours.
Telehealth refers to using information or communication technology to deliver medical care remotely, mainly when patients and healthcare providers are not in the exact physical location. This may involve using digital technologies such as videoconferencing, telephone conferencing, and secure messaging platforms to facilitate consultations, diagnoses, and treatment planning without in-person interaction.
No, you do not need any special equipment for Telehealth consultations. You can use commonly available devices such as smartphones, iPads, desktop computers, or laptops with a webcam. These devices allow you to participate in Telehealth consultations from anywhere in Australia, making access to care convenient and accessible.
Assessments conducted via video consultations typically require two sessions and rearly may need a third session. These sessions usually last between 30 to 45 minutes each.
Additionally, discussing your case with family members and local service providers such as your GP, Nurse Practitioner, and support workers may require additional time and consideration during the diagnostic process.
You will get your prescription via Electronic script (e-script) to your email or smartphone.
Behalf of you, staff at Mind Connections Specialist Health Services will lodge your claim with Medicare, and you will get the rebate debited to your nominated bank account.
Fees vary depending on the speciality and the time duration, and your treating practitioner sets the fee.
All consultations incur an out-of-pocket fee, and you must pay in full after the consultation.
Mind Connections Specialist Health Service is a CASHLESS practice. The practice issues clinicians’ invoices digitally to minimise our carbon footprint. Protecting the Earth’s natural resources is everyone’s responsibility.
Provided you have a referral from your GP, your health insurance will pay your expenses entirely or in part.
You do not. The quoted figure by the clinician, must be paid upfront.
Report writing is additional to your consultation time. Generally, reports can take between 2 – 4 hours. Fees are calculated hourly, per standard fees recommended by the respective colleges (Australian Medical Association/Australian Psychological Association).
The clinician will not start the report until you pay the full fee. Our experience indicates some change their mind after they request the report.
You cannot use private health insurance for medical specialists’ outpatient visits.
However, some private health funds, may make contributions to psychology consultations. Please inquire from your health fund about your entitlements.
TMS uses a pulsing electromagnetic coil positioned on the patient’s head to generate a magnetic field to stimulate the electrical impulses generated by the brain’s nerve cells.
In the case of depression, while there could be multiple contributing factors, the biological basis suggests that under-active regions of the brain responsible for regulating emotions have a significant role in the etiology of depression. By stimulating the prefrontal cortex with rTMS, the positive mood circuits within the limbic system, the brain’s emotional centre, are activated. This activation subsequently promotes recovery from depressive disorder and other psychiatric conditions.
rTMS is suitable for patients who are adequately informed about the procedure and have consented to therapy. This is particularly relevant for individuals who have not experienced symptom improvement with previous treatment methods, such as various medications and psychiatric treatments.
Before the initial session, a psychiatrist with experience in rTMS conducts a comprehensive mental examination of each patient.
The procedure is administered by either a TMS technician or an accredited TMS psychiatrist during the therapy sessions. Since it is an outpatient procedure, it occurs in the office setting.
Before therapy can commence, your Psychiatrist must determine the optimal coil positioning on your head and the appropriate amount of magnetic energy for your treatment. Your initial mapping session typically lasts about 20-30 minutes.
A credentialed and trained technician with a mental health background performs the procedures for all follow-up treatments.
Here’s what you can expect during TMS:
- You will sit in a comfortable chair. You won’t need general anaesthesia. You are not under sedation, and you’ll be awake throughout the treatment.
- If it’s your first session, your technician will take many measurements of your head to determine where to place the magnetic coil. The measurements optimise the therapy sessions with personalised settings on the TMS machine.
- Your technician will have you wear earplugs to minimise the clicking sound of magnetic impulses.
- Your technician will place the coil above the front area of your scalp. Next, they’ll start the treatment.
- You’ll hear a clicking sound as the magnetic impulses are released. You’ll also feel a gentle tapping sensation beneath the magnetic coil.
- The treatment can last from 3 minutes to 20 minutes. You can drive yourself home after the procedure and resume normal activities.
You’ll need to repeat the procedure 3 – 5 days a week for about 4 to 6 weeks. The exact length of your treatment depends on your response and specific condition.
Some patients may experience a headache following rTMS, typically relieved by taking two Panadol pills. Other common side effects include discomfort on the scalp at the location of stimulation, facial muscular tingling, and mild twitching around the eyes and/or facial muscles. However, these side effects are usually temporary and diminish throughout therapy.
Since treatment typically involves sessions five days a week for multiple weeks, you may need to miss a few hours of work each day. The duration will depend on your schedule, travel time, and appointment timing.
Each TMS session can vary in duration, up to 20 – 30 minutes.
You can request a medical certificate to attend your treatment sessions if needed.
If your treatment is covered by WorkCover or third-party insurance, your treating Psychiatrist can recommend leave for you for the duration of the treatment.
Compared to conventional antidepressants, which typically take six weeks or more to show effects, most patients report positive mood changes with rTMS as early as the first week of treatment.
The results vary from patient to patient. Some patients’ remission may last a year or longer, and some may receive maintenance therapy sessions.
Most patients may experience complete remission after 35 sessions. The results vary from patient to patient. And some may require maintenance therapy sessions.
Maintenance rTMS therapy is an effective and safe treatment for preventing depressive relapse/recurrence.
Your treating Psychiatrist will guide you regarding the maintenance of rTMS therapy. Although it may vary from person to person, a commonly used protocol is once a week for the first six months and once biweekly for the second six months.
Your personality becomes well-adjusted to face day-to-day challenges.
When experiencing positive emotions, individuals often revert to their typical personality traits. Generally, when patients are content with their emotional state, they tend to function better overall.
rTMS does not cause memory impairment. Patients’ ability to think improves simultaneously with improved role functioning.
You are free to leave after the rTMS session. You can drive and return to work following the treatment.
No.
To obtain a prescription, you must have a scheduled appointment with your Specialist in person or via Telehealth. Requests for prescriptions outside of appointments are not accommodated.
Specialists at Mind Connections Specialists Health Services habitually write to your GP/Nurse practitioner after your appointment. They write to your GP or referring Nurse Practitioner regarding medication commencement/adjustments. You can discuss this with your GP or referring Nurse Practitioner, who may continue to provide ongoing prescriptions for your medication.
It’s essential to undergo a review by the Specialist before obtaining a repeat prescription. This practice ensures proper patient care and minimises potential risks to your health and well-being.
Before renewing your prescription, the Specialist takes several steps to ensure your safety with medications. They will
- Confirm your correct patient details, medication, and dosage.
- Determine if the medication is still necessary for your treatment.
- Assesses if a dosage adjustment is required and
- If any special monitoring is necessary for your ongoing treatment.
Yes.
ADHD/Autism assessments take 3 – 4 hours, and you should be prepared to spend time with the Specialist. This may mean three consecutive sessions with the Specialist.
Psychologists and psychiatrists at Mind Connections Specialist Health Services will arrange spouse/parent interviews and questionnaires on your behaviour patterns to establish a diagnosis.
There is no laboratory test to diagnose ADHD and autism spectrum disorder.
Self-diagnosis is a common practice among many. However, medication prescriptions cannot be provided based on self-diagnosis.
Symptoms such as inattention, poor concentration or hyperactivity can be due to many reasons and may not be due to underlying ADHD. You must have a diagnostic interview to exclude other disorders such as generalised anxiety, complex trauma, psychotic disorders, alcohol and recreational and illicit substances or simply stressors you are facing at the time.
ADHD diagnosis requires a comprehensive assessment from a trained specialist, either a psychologist or a psychiatrist.
Clinicians use the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fifth edition (DSM-5) guidelines.
When you come to the screening, bring
- A list of all medications you (or your child) currently take.
- Be prepared to answer questions about family health history, personal health history, environment, school or work performance and behaviour.
- Previous investigations and reports.
The Assessment includes assessing behaviour patterns across different settings of the person with varying demands on behaviour.
The cost of an ADHD assessment in Australia can vary greatly, usually from $1500 to $3000.
At Mind Connections Specialist Health Services psychologists and psychiatrists do diagnostic assessments. Please email the practice requesting fee information, but specify whether it is for ADHD or Autism assessment or both.
Norwest office email: norwest@mindconnectionsshs.com.au
Carlingford office email: carlingford@mindconnectionsshs.com.au
An adult ADHD assessment takes approximately 2 hours, including the diagnostic Assessment and an interview about your symptoms and history.
If you need to cancel your appointment on the day of or fail to attend (a “no-show”), you will be liable for the full fee of the consultation.
We ask that you familiarise yourself with our strict cancellation policy, which is in place to ensure fairness to all patients. When you book an appointment, the time is reserved exclusively for you, and another patient who could benefit from that appointment may miss out if you do not take responsibility for cancelling.
Yes.
To avoid cancellation charges, you must notify us of your intention to cancel at least two business days before your appointment. For example, if your appointment is scheduled for Tuesday at 4 pm, you must cancel the appointment on the previous Friday before 4 pm. Another example is if your appointment is scheduled for Thursday at 9 am, you must cancel the appointment on the previous Tuesday before 9 am.
Failure to comply with this policy will result in a cancellation fee equivalent to 50% of the consultation fee being charged to you. Please note that cancellation fees are not eligible for Medicare rebates.
Non-attendance will be treated as a cancelled appointment, and the exact cancellation charges will apply.
If you accumulate two instances of late cancellations or no-shows, you must pay the full fee for the most recent missed appointment before you can schedule any future appointments.
We maintain a strict cancellation policy for all bookings, and we encourage you to familiarise yourself with the policy to ensure smooth and fair appointment scheduling.
24 hours/day, you can cancel or request to reschedule your appointment by
- Email us: Norwest via norwest@mindconnectionsshs.com.au Carlingford via carlingford@mindconnectionsshs.com.au
- Visit our website and send a message: Get in Touch – Mind Connections Specialist Health Services (mindconnectionsshs.com.au)
- Telephone: Norwest:+61 02 8883 1173 Carlingford: +61 02 98711 7777
Yes.
You can see a specialist doctor or psychologist under WorkCover/3rd party payments, provided you have prior approval from your insurance company.
Please provide us with your claim number, insurance, and case manager information. At Mind Connections Specialists Health Services, some clinicians are experienced in delivering medico-legal services.
Having a GP referral from your GP who has engaged with your insurer to manage your condition is always advisable. Your GP may request assistance with your diagnosis, treatment, and return-to-work rehabilitation plan.
Our specialists can work with your GP to develop a comprehensive treatment plan, including individual psychological treatment, medication management, group therapy, and non-medication therapies such as rTMS.
The trauma of the incident may result in various psychological disorders, and you may require examination, diagnosis, treatment and a return to work rehabilitation plan.
Specialist consultants at Mind Connections Specialist Health Services can assist your GP in clarifying the diagnosis, optimising your treatment, and developing a management plan that involves one or more of these modalities:
- Individual psychological treatment,
- Medication management
- Group therapy,
- Non-medication therapies such as rTMS.
You can see a specialist for a psychiatric report to fulfil your employer’s request for a fitness-for-work assessment.
Typically, psychiatric reports require 3 to 4 hours to complete, and fees are calculated hourly based on the standard fees recommended by the respective colleges (Australian Medical Association/Australian Psychological Association).
It is a requirement of report writing that fees need to be prepaid by the consumer.