Client suitability
We are a female-focused, bouitque and progressive psychology practice. Our clients are women who are feeling stuck and want to improve their health & wellbeing simultaenously so they can burn bright.
Please note, we do not accept referrals for clients where the major presenting issue is indication of inpatient admission, psychosis, drug addiction, eating disorders, domestic / family violence or child-custody family disputes. For these clients we recommend a specialist health care provider or service who can assess & treat these issues. If required, we may be able to suggest potential services for you.
We are not a crisis service. Please call 000 if you are suicidal or in an emergency situation or Lifeline on 13 11 14 for free, 24-hour telephone crisis support.
Booking & claiming process
Bookings can be easily made via our website enquiry links or directly at hello@desertflamepsychology.com
You do not need a GP referral and can secure your session at Desert Flame as a private client.
Please contact your Private Health Insurance provider to determine your eligibility to claim for the session fee. Quote code 100 for your initial consultation and code 200 for all follow-up consultations.
If you would like to claim a rebate from Medicare under the Better Acess Initiative you will need to speak with your GP to discuss your eligibility for a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP). This referral needs to be emailed to us ahead of our first session.
Please note that you cannot claim both Medicare and Private Health Rebates.
If you hold a current MHCP assigned to a different psychologist and wish to work with Desert Flame Psychology please ask your GP to adjust your MHCP to reflect our name and provider number. You will also need to inform us how many sessions remain on your current plan.
Consultation fees are payable in full on the day of your appointment. We then process your payment and Medicare rebate for those clients with a MHCP online via our nominated practice software which is a subsidiary of PayPal and protected by bank-grade encryption.
Receipts will be provided after each session.
Confidentiality & record keeping
All sessions are confidential in accordance with the Psychologists Board of Australia endorsed Code of Ethics. This means that what you say to a psychologist will not be shared with anyone else without your consent, with the following exceptions:
If you threaten harm to yourself or another person
If you or another person is at serious or imminent risk of harm
If information is subpoenaed by the Court or in relation to Court orders
In cases where you have been referred to Desert Flame by your GP a brief report will be provided to your GP regarding your progress.
Clinical notes and health documentation are safely secured on the Halaxy practice management system, which has been approved by Australian regulatory authorities.
Cancellations, non-attendance & lateness
Due to the high demand for sessions and to ensure equitable access to psychological support for all clients on a waiting list, Desert Flame has a policy for short notice cancellations.
As a courtesy, you will receive an automated reminder 72 hours prior to your appointment asking you to confirm.
If you need to cancel or reschedule we require 48 hours notice.
Cancellation with less than 48 hours notice will incur a $100 fee and non-attendance will incur a $190 fee. These fees cannot be claimed on Medicare.
If you are running late, your appointment will finish in line with the scheduled appointment time and the full session fee will apply.
What to expect at your first session
Seeking help is perfectly normal and beneficial, so congratulations in taking this important first step.
During the first appointment, we will ask questions to get to know you in order to develop an understanding of the concerns that have brought you to therapy.
Working in collaboration with you, we will gather important background information, identify your goals for therapy or coaching and share practial skills & psychological insights that can support you living the life you want.
There are no rules around how many sessions you need and a timeline can be established based on your unique circumstances and expectations.
We value and prioritise your comfort and experience and, with this in mind, offer flexible delivery of our services.