FAQs

What types of therapy do you offer?

Using an integrative approach of some highly effective therapies, we individualize treatment to your needs. This includes: CBT, ACT, Compassion-Focused Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, trauma-informed care, and client-centered therapy.

This means that treatment may include a number of interventions, drawn from different compatible therapies. For us, your experience is so important. We want to tailor your sessions based on your feedback, which may mean changing direction if something is not feeling right for you. 

What is trauma-informed care? 

Trauma-informed care, also known as trauma-focused therapy, is a movement that assumes individuals are more likely than not to have experienced some form of trauma in their lifetime and that this may impact their lives. It is a compassionate approach that emphasizes safety and individual strength. Notably, trauma-informed care highlights the importance of choice - choice in which details you share, in how much the events are discussed, and in what strategies you try.

What is CBT? 

Cognitive-behaviour therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based intervention for many mental health concerns. It is considered the gold standard of treatment for depression and anxiety disorders. CBT proposes that unhelpful thinking is a cause of symptoms and by replacing unhelpful thoughts we can change our behaviour and improve our well-being. 

What is ACT? 

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an empirically grounded modern psychotherapy. ACT is a popular treatment for anxiety, relational issues, and depression. Similar to CBT, thoughts, feelings, and sensations are focussed on but are observed and accepted rather than changed. 

What is mindfulness?

Mindfulness focuses on the present moment awareness - noticing moment-by-moment our thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations. 

Jon Kabat-Zinn defines this as ‘paying attention in a systematic way’ and ‘presence of heart’. 

 Through gentle observation, mindfulness allows us to live meaningfully each minute of the day. It is world-renowned as a leading stress management strategy. 

Mindfulness has been shown to reduce worry, soothe stress, lower blood pressure, reduce chronic pain, improve sleep and relieve gastrointestinal problems. 

What is Compassion-Focused Therapy?

Compassion-Focused Therapy combines evidence-based neurobiological strategies with self-compassion practices to reduce stress, self-criticism, and shame. It was founded by Dr Paul Gilbert after his extensive research into the impacts of shame and how these were not always addressed by other therapies. It has been shown to be an effective tool for the treatment of depression, anxiety, and trauma. It can be helpful in addressing underlying patterns such as perfectionism or people pleasing.

What is a mental health check-in?

Sometimes we all need a touchstone to keep us on track with our mental health. A one-off mental health check-in can provide this, offering a safe space to reflect on how things have been going recently. If you have any mental health questions, this can be a great time to ask them in a confidential one-on-one setting. 

How do I book?

For new clients, please contact us directly via email.

If you are an existing client and would like to book an appointment, please do so online via the booking portal. The bookings portal does not allow for same-day bookings – please contact the clinic to enquire about this. If there are no times suited to you available, please email and we will add you to the waitlist for your desired dates.

Do I need a referral?

It's not essential that you obtain a referral from your GP, however, you may be eligible for a rebate from Medicare if you do have a Mental Health Care Plan and referral letter. Otherwise, you are welcome to self-refer.

What to expect from therapy?

Therapy can be useful at different points of life, particularly if you’ve been experiencing a challenging time or feeling stressed, down, or anxious. We work with people with a wide range of mental health concerns — anxiety, depression, interpersonal difficulties, trauma, or stress, to name a few.

It can be daunting to start something new, particularly something where you have to be vulnerable. It is totally normal for this to be outside your comfort zone. The process of therapy involves talking through your thoughts and feelings, with support from your therapist, in order to find ways to improve your well-being. 

Calm Collective Psychology is not a crisis service and provides generalised mental health support only.

What to expect from your first session?

Before we start we will also discuss confidentiality and consent. Sometimes we may ask questions about your life, to better understand how you came to be you. It is somewhere you can feel safe to be truly yourself and be seen and heard. This can be very healing in itself, as we all benefit from compassion and validation. You may choose to include therapeutic interventions, such as mindfulness, in your journey to further your goals. A treatment plan will be discussed at the end of the first session. 

What do I need to bring?

You do not require a referral to see a Psychologist, however, if you have a Mental Health Care Plan and referral letter it is essential that you bring this to your first session in order to receive the Medicare Rebate. Ahead of the first session, it can be helpful to think about what concerns you would like to discuss, what you want to get out of therapy, and any questions you have about the process. You may like to write these down in a designated therapy notebook.

How do I make payment?

At the end of your appointment, you will be directed to pay securely online. Then, if you are eligible for a Medicare rebate, we can process the claim so that it is deposited directly into your account.  Payment must be made at the time of your session.

For an initial appointment, a deposit will be required.

How does Telehealth work?

You can access psychology online from anywhere in Australia. All our telehealth appointments are conducted via a secure and confidential platform (HIPAA advanced encryption standards).

How many sessions do I need?

Depending on your individual goals and needs, we will be able to offer you a treatment plan at intake to let you know the expected number of sessions. Our goal is to empower you and provide you with the tools and strategies you can implement in your life, without the need for ongoing therapy.