Question 1

How do I make a new appointment?

Accepted Answer

If you’re a new client and wish to make an appointment, you can complete the contact form online.

Question 2

What can I expect during the initial appointment?

Accepted Answer

Your initial appointment will include a comprehensive assessment. This will allow Samantha to gather important information to determine your needs, your goals and to develop a tailored treatment plan. For children under 10 years, it is preferable that only the parents and/or caregivers attend. This will allow parents and guardians to speak freely. For individuals over 10 years, some time can be set aside in this initial appointment if needed to talk with the parents/caregivers or the child/adolescent individually.

Question 3

Do I need a referral? Am I eligible for any rebates?

Accepted Answer

You do not need a referral to attend appointments. However, if you intend to access the Medicare Rebate you will need to have a referral from your GP with a mental health care plan, or a referral from a Paediatrician or Psychiatrist. The current Medicare rebate for attendance at an appointment with a Registered Psychologist (from 1st July 2024) is $96.65. This rebate can be claimed for up to ten appointments/sessions in a calendar year.

Medicare rebates can be claimed for 2 parent appointments; if there is need for more parent appointments, the parent can use their own referral and mental health care plan relevant to their child/adolescent’s presentation.

You are welcome to self-refer or use private health insurance in which case you won’t need a referral. Private health funds offer rebates for psychology consultations, however inclusion and rebate amounts vary depending on the level of cover you have. Contact your health insurance provider directly to confirm. 
*Please note: you cannot claim a private health and a Medicare rebate for the same appointment.

Clients who see Samantha under NDIS do not need a Medicare referral. Samantha is available for NDIS self-managed clients. If you are a plan-managed client, you will be required to pay your fee upfront and then take the invoice to your plan manager to claim.

Question 4

What are your fees?

Accepted Answer

The Australian Psychological Society’s current recommended fee for a 45 to 60 minute session is $311.  Our fees are set below this rate, with a standard 50-minute consultation costing $240.  Initial sessions are charged at a higher rate to reflect the time taken in liaising with new clients, referrers and set up. Please note Cove Psychology is not a bulk-billing service.

Question 5

What is the cancellation policy?

Accepted Answer

We understand that sometimes things come up and you need to cancel or reschedule a session.  Our cancellation policy exists to allow other clients to have the opportunity to book in, should you be unable to make it.
We require at least 24 hours notice if you need to cancel your appointment. If your appointment is on a Monday, please note cancellations are required to be made on the Friday. If cancellation is within 24 hours of the consultation, the full fee for the session is charged. This will need to be paid prior to your next scheduled appointment. 
To cancel a scheduled appointment, please email with the subject ‘Cancellation’, or respond to the two-way text reminder.

Frequently asked questions