Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a referral to see a psychologist?
You do not need a referral to book therapy or an assessment with a psychologist. However, a referral is required if you would like to access Medicare rebates.
Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible for Medicare rebates through a Mental Health Treatment Plan (Better Access), an Eating Disorder Treatment and Management Plan, or a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan.
Some psychological assessments may also be eligible for Medicare rebates under separate Medicare programs and referral pathways. Please contact us to discuss whether this may apply to your assessment.
Fees and referralsHow do I refer? Do you have a waitlist?
We are currently accepting new referrals at our Inverloch office.
To refer yourself, please email us, as we are unable to answer the phone during sessions. We welcome Medicare, private, NDIS, Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS; previously Victims of Crime), Family Reconciliation Medication Program (FRMP) and service-funded referrals.
Referrers seeking to connect a young person can fax or email us referrals.
You are welcome to contact us to discuss a referral in advance if you would like to check whether we are the right fit for you or your young person.
Can I use NDIS funding?
We welcome self-managed and plan-managed NDIS participants. New clients are provided with a detailed Schedule of Supports outlining the services and fees agreed upon. Psychology services are charged in line with current NDIS national pricing arrangements.
Please check your NDIS plan to ensure you have funding available for psychology services. If you are unsure, your plan manager or support coordinator may be able to assist.
NDIS funding may be available for some disability-related assessments. Diagnostic assessments, including ADHD assessments, are generally not funded by the NDIS. Please check your plan and funding arrangements before booking an assessment.
Do you offer telehealth or bulk-billing?
Silver Birch Psychology is happy to offer phone or video appointments to those unable to get to Inverloch or who prefer telehealth.
We offer a limited number of Medicare bulk-billed spots each year for those experiencing financial disadvantage. As of 1 September 2026 we are at capacity for bulk-billed spots. We welcome you to contact us about our bulk-billing waitlist.
Young people aged 16–25 who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness may be eligible for funded appointments via the Melbourne City Mission's Family Reconciliation Mediation Program (FRMP). Please contact us for more information, or speak with your school wellbeing team, housing service or youth support service.
What happens in the first appointment?
Traditionally, first appointments are used to gather relevant information on your history and presenting concerns. However, Gen recognises that some young people may find this overwhelming, or may not wish to go over their history again.
Gen is more than happy to explore your preferred approach prior to the first session by phone or email. Many of the therapeutic approaches she uses can be used immediately without the need for detailed background history.
We welcome collaborative care with past or current services and trusted family members. Where you think it would be helpful for us to gather information from these sources prior to your first appointment, we will seek your consent to do so.
We send out our registration and consent forms in advance of your first appointment to minimise any time spent on administration. You will be provided with a link to our booking portal so you can manage appointments at your leisure.
Is what I tell my psychologist confidential?
Generally what you share with your psychologist is private and confidential. We don't share information about you with your family, school, health services or other persons without your consent unless:
- We have concerns about your safety or the safety of another person
- There are child safety concerns
- Disclosure is required by law
When working with children and younger adolescents, Gen will discuss confidentiality with you, including how parents or caregivers may be involved and what information will and will not be shared with them.
You are always welcome to ask Gen any question about confidentiality and to discuss any concerns about who has access to your information.
Can you talk to my school, GP or parent?
Gen is passionate about collaborative care and advocacy and is happy to work with others involved in your support, including family, schools, doctors, psychiatrists, allied health professionals and other services.
With your consent, this might include sharing relevant information, attending care-team meetings, providing recommendations or helping connect you with additional supports. Gen will check in with you regularly to make sure you remain comfortable with who is involved and what information is shared.
What does an assessment involve?
Silver Birch Psychology provides cognitive, autism and ADHD assessments. Each assessment is tailored to your individual needs and the questions you are hoping to answer. Assessments generally involve reviewing your history, completing questionnaires and standardised assessment tools, and interviews with you and, where appropriate, a parent or another person who knows you well. Gen uses evidence-based, neuro-affirming assessment approaches to develop a comprehensive understanding of your strengths, experiences and support needs.
Following the assessment, Gen brings the information together in a diagnostic letter or comprehensive report, depending on the assessment option you have chosen. She then meets with you to discuss the findings, recommendations and next steps. Ongoing support is also available if you would like help understanding, adjusting to or exploring what your diagnosis means for you.
AssessmentsCan I get ADHD medication after assessment?
Psychology reports can be helpful when accessing medication; however, psychologists cannot prescribe medication. Medication needs to be discussed with an appropriate medical practitioner.
If you are seeking an ADHD assessment specifically to access medication, we suggest talking to your GP about the best assessment pathway for you, as it may be more cost-effective to see a psychiatrist or paediatrician directly.
AssessmentsCan I access the NDIS after assessment?
Comprehensive reports from Silver Birch Psychology can be used for funding applications and to request accommodations at school and university. Our reports consider functional impact and explore how a person’s symptoms or conditions may affect their daily life. However, we cannot guarantee approval for funding.
Silver Birch Psychology is closely following proposed changes to the NDIS and adapting assessment processes and reports as needed to ensure they remain practical, relevant and useful.
AssessmentsWhy are assessments expensive?
Assessments involve a lot of time, and many of the tools themselves have a per-use cost. Most assessments involve at least two hours of direct contact, alongside several more hours spent reviewing results, bringing information together and preparing your report and recommendations. At normal psychology session rates, this time can quickly add up.
Gen tries to keep assessment costs down wherever possible, which is why assessments are tailored to what you actually need. For example, if you don’t need a lengthy report or additional testing, we won’t automatically include it, helping keep the assessment as streamlined and cost-effective as possible.
Can I get rebates on assessments?
Unfortunately, a Medicare Mental Health Treatment Plan referral cannot be used for formal assessments. Some private health insurance may provide a rebate for some assessment services, depending on your insurer and level of extras cover, so it’s always worth asking them. If you have NDIS funding, we suggest checking with your plan manager or support coordinator about whether an assessment can be funded under your plan.
Young people under 25 may be eligible for Medicare rebates for certain assessment services when referred through the Complex Neurodevelopmental Conditions and Eligible Disabilities pathway. Referral and eligibility requirements apply, so we recommend discussing this with your paediatrician or psychiatrist. Further information about this pathway is available through Services Australia.
For young people linked in with youth, housing or family violence services, we suggest talking to your case manager to see whether the service has brokerage available for assessments.
