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Our Services

New Clients please note: In order for us to provide you with the best service, intake forms need to be completed before we can commence with counselling. To give yourself enough time to complete and return to us, new client bookings must be booked at least 48 hours in advance. Thank you.

PLEASE NOTE – 24 hours cancellation notice or full fees will be charged.

Have a question or prefer to book via phone? Make contact now:
Booking & Fee Information
At Samway Counselling Services, our counselling sessions are offered online via Zoom or similar video conferencing software. 
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All you need to connect for your session is a PC, Laptop, or any mobile device (smart phone, tablet, etc) and a stable internet connection. 

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Benefits of online counselling:

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  • Time Saver: no travelling needed to get to sessions!

  • Cost Saver: no expenses like fuel, bus, train or taxi. 

  • Confidentiality: undergoing therapy without anyone knowing your business.

  • Convenience: Receive counselling in the safety and privacy of your own 'safe space'.

  • No wait time: in most cases, we can see you within a few days of making an appointment.

  • No referrals needed: No referral or Mental Health Plan is needed from your GP. 

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Medicare / Health fund Rebates:

Currently clients accessing counselling services through psychotherapists and counsellors are not able to claim Medicare rebate. 

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"Why should I opt for counselling with you, if I can opt for a Medicare provider?"

 

Medicare Rebate:

  • To access the Mental Health Plan, you need a referral from your GP to see a psychiatrist, or a psychologist or a social worker.

  • In order to claim a rebate from Medicare or some private health funds, the treatment must be “medically necessary”, which means that you must be diagnosed with a mental illness or disorder.

  • Once you have a Mental Health Plan, your diagnosis becomes part of your health records forever.

  • Your private information; psychiatric diagnosis; presenting issues, treatment plan and progress reports are available to the insurance company, on MyHealthRecord.gov.au, sometimes to employers and adoption agencies.

  • Medicare, some private health funds and EAPs limit the choice in therapist and the type of therapy that you are able to use. 

  • The number of sessions are per year.  For some serious cases, a second referral from a GP is required for additional sessions.

  • Having a psychiatric diagnosis on your health records can restrict your ability to qualify for future health and life insurance coverage, as well as when applying for some jobs or to become an adoptive parent.

 

No Medicare Rebate:

  • You don’t need a doctor referral to see a psychotherapist or a counsellor.

  • Your personal information, presenting issues, diagnosis are kept confidential with your therapist.

  • You can choose your own therapist.

  • There is no restriction on how many sessions you can have a year.

  • A psychotherapist / counsellor can help you with issues such as: emotional and personal growth, coping with stress, anxiety, self-esteem, marital and family difficulties as well as other psychological problems.  However, you will not have a mental health diagnosis recorded on your health records for others to access.

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