Frequently Asked Questions

Psychiatrist: Yes, you need a specialist referral from your GP, it is asked that this referral be sent to Lakeside Rooms prior to making an appointment to ensure you have been referred to the right psychiatrist.

Psychologist: No, you do not need a GP’s referral to see a psychologist but if you are expecting a Medicare rebate you will need a specific referral from your GP. This referral is called a Mental Health Care Plan and the GP decides whether you fulfil the criteria for this type of referral. (See FAQ below for more information).

Anyone. 

Often times individuals will self refer as a first point of contact. This can be a big step, which our Admin Ladies endeavour to make as easy as possible with their warm welcome. We accept referrals from the usual range of services and community sources, such as: General Practitioners, Schools, other Allied Health Practitioners, Psychiatrists and other Specialists. Third Party funding sources are also not a problem. We accept referrals on behalf of clients, from funding sources such as: NDIS, Workcover, Victims Assist, Department Veterans Affairs (DVA), and some Employment Assistance Programs (EAP)s specific to our local community. 

For more specific referral enquiries please speak to your GP or call our rooms.

Each Practitioner operates their practice independently, from within the Lakeside Rooms space.   

Lakeside Rooms provide administrative support and consulting rooms only; they cannot monitor or manage any areas of clinical practice or complaints and do not have access to your clinical records. 

All complaints/feedback will be passed on to your Practitioner.

As an independent Health Practitioner your Psychologist or Psychiatrist is responsible for;

• Your clinical care and their clinical practice;

• Managing their own feedback/complaints (further information can be found at; https://www.ahpra.gov.au/);

• Storage and management of your health records;

• Managing client referrals and liaising with their associated stakeholders;

• Recommending and actioning any appropriate referrals;

• Authorising and issuing medication prescriptions (Psychiatrists ONLY)

To provide continued access to essential primary health services, the Australian Government has expanded Medicare-subsidised Telehealth services for all Australians.

Who is eligible?

The MBS Telehealth items are available to all Medicare eligible Australians and are a permanent item.  To be eligible you must have a Mental Health Care Plan.

Telehealth – Is it the best therapeutic solution for me?

Whilst we applaud the government on the implementation of Telehealth services for mental health, and it is extremely valuable and convenient in times of physical illness and potential COVID  outbreaks, we ask that you consider whether it is clinically appropriate for you or your child on all occasions.

Not all clients and clinicians are comfortable with Telehealth, and in some situations, it is not considered clinically appropriate to provide psychological services via telehealth.  We suggest that you talk to your treating clinician about Telehealth to determine whether it is right for your/your child.

Whilst Telehealth may be convenient, it may not always be best for you/your child.  Sometimes your clinician may need to see you in person to complete testing, provide feedback, discuss reports, or other valid reasons. 

Some clinicians consider it is not best practice for themselves to use Telehealth and do not always feel they can give you the best therapeutic service when not seeing you in person.

What to consider for your Telehealth Appointment.

If you have discussed with your clinician and they are happy for you to attend via Telehealth, we encourage you to think about how to best prepare for those sessions, things to consider; 

• Where you will be when attending your session, find a space where you have privacy and feel secure.

• Consider the lighting, background and potential distractions, set up a comfy space, free from distractions and noise.

• It can also be helpful to have a glass of water or warm drink and tissues nearby.

• Telehealth is not to be conducted whilst driving to ensure your safety.

Australian law says that an individual does not own his/her medical records. A private practitioner, e.g. your Doctor or Psychologist, owns the medical record.  However, Australian Federal law considers ownership and access as separate – so although you don’t own the medical record, you can request access to it.

How do I get access to my medical records?
Only you or another person that you have authorised, such as a legal guardian or authorised representative, can make the request.

You will be asked to put your request in writing and will need to identify yourself. In your written request, you should generally include:

·         your name and address;

·         the health information you want;

·         how you’d like to access the health information (e.g., by email, paper copies or if you just want to look at the information);

·         if you authorise a person or organisation to access the health information on your behalf.

Access isn’t automatically granted as each practitioner may have their own process by which they consider best practice in the provision of medical records, i.e. you may be asked to attend an appointment to discuss the information and the considerations taken when making such information available.

Psychiatrists have a medical degree, which involves six years of studying general medicine, followed by further study to specialise in the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness and emotional problems. Psychiatrists treat the effects of emotional disturbances on the body and the effects of physical conditions on the mind and can also prescribe medication. Some combine medication with other forms of therapy.

Psychologists have undergone extensive university training in the area of human behaviour. They are qualified to help clients manage the emotions, behaviours and issues that are causing them difficulties in their lives.

In Australia, "registered psychologist" and "clinical psychologist" refer to two distinct roles in the psychology profession, differing in their training and specialisation. Here’s a simpler breakdown of the differences:

Registered Psychologist
Qualifications: To become a registered psychologist, a person needs to complete at least six years of study. This usually involves a 4-year undergraduate degree in psychology, followed by 2 years of postgraduate training or supervised practice.
Registration: They must be registered with the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA), under the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
What They Do: Registered psychologists can work in a variety of areas such as mental health, schools, and workplaces. They can help people with mental health issues, but may not have the advanced training required for very complex cases.

Clinical Psychologist
Qualifications: Clinical psychologists undergo additional training after their 4-year degree. They typically complete a Master’s or Doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology, which includes intensive training and supervised clinical work.
Registration: In addition to being registered with the PsyBA, they have a special endorsement in clinical psychology, demonstrating their extra expertise.
What They Do: Clinical psychologists are trained to manage more severe mental health issues, such as major depression, anxiety disorders, or trauma. They are skilled in advanced therapeutic techniques like cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) and dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT). They often work in hospitals, mental health clinics, or private practice.

Key Differences:

• Training: Clinical psychologists receive more advanced training to handle complex mental health problems.

• Registration: Both types are registered with the PsyBA, but clinical psychologists have additional qualifications.

• Work Scope: Clinical psychologists are equipped to address severe mental health conditions and utilise advanced therapy methods.

In summary, while all clinical psychologists are registered psychologists, not all registered psychologists have the specialised training to be clinical psychologists.

A provisional psychologist in Australia is someone who is in the process of completing the necessary training and supervision to become a fully registered psychologist. Here’s a breakdown of what this role involves:

Qualifications and Training:

• Provisional psychologists have typically completed a 4-year undergraduate degree in psychology.

• They are working towards completing either a postgraduate qualification (such as a Master’s or Doctorate) or a supervised practice pathway (commonly known as the 4+2 or 5+1 internship programs).

Registration:

• Provisional psychologists must be registered with the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA).

• This registration allows them to practice under supervision while completing the requirements for full registration.

What They Do:

• Provisional psychologists can provide psychological services, such as assessments and therapy, but must do so under the close supervision of a fully registered psychologist.

• They work in various settings like schools, clinics, hospitals, or private practices, gaining the practical experience needed to become fully registered.

Supervision:

• They are required to regularly meet with a supervisor who provides guidance, oversight, and feedback on their clinical work.

• The supervision helps ensure that they are developing the skills and knowledge necessary to practice independently as a registered psychologist.

Path to Full Registration:

• After completing the required period of supervised practice or postgraduate training and passing any necessary exams, provisional psychologists can apply for full registration with the PsyBA.

• Full registration allows them to practice independently as a general psychologist.

In essence, provisional psychologists are in a transitional stage, gaining the experience and skills required to become fully qualified and registered psychologists.

A treating psychologist has a therapeutic role in which the focus of the service is on the client’s interests. This is different from the preparation of a report for a court which centres on the task of the court rather than the interests of the client. For this reason we recommend that court reports are obtained from psychologists that focus on report writing for court. A quick internet search will provide a list of organisations that offer this service.

Free parking is usually available in the open-air carpark at the business complex, as well as outside the Complex on Glenferrie Drive.