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Your privacy is taken very seriously, all information disclosed in your sessions will be kept confidential. An important part of therapy is providing a safe place for you to talk about private and revealing information, without fear of that information leaving the room.

Psychologists are bound by confidentiality as part of the Australian Psychological Society Code of Ethics. Your information will not be disclosed without your prior consent. There are however some exceptions to this rule which are when there is a legal obligation to do so, or if there is concern of immediate and specified risk of harm to yourself or another person. Jetlyn will discuss the privacy policy with you in your first session.

Clinical psychology is a science-based profession that integrates theory and clinical practice to understand, prevent, and relieve psychological problems or disorders. The education and training of clinical psychologists takes a minimum of eight years and is focused on the assessment, diagnosis, formulation, and psychological treatment of mental health, behavioural, and emotional disorders.

Psychiatrists have completed a medical degree, followed by further training and study in the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness. Psychiatrists specialise in the medical treatment of mental illness and can prescribe medication. Some psychiatrists combine medication with therapy.

Psychiatrists and psychologists often work alongside each other to treat mental health conditions.

A Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) (previously known as a mental health care plan) is a plan your doctor prepares to help you manage a mental health condition. A MHTP is created collaboratively with your GP. It involves assessing your mental health, discussing and formulating goals and then the arrangement of treatment. If you’d like to get a MHTP please book a long appointment with your GP who will discuss your eligibility.

A MHTP subsidises the cost of appointments with eligible allied health professionals (psychologists, occupational therapist and social workers). If you have a MHTP and valid referral you are currently entitled to Medicare rebates for up to 10 individual psychology appointments per calendar year.

Your GP will generally refer you for an initial six sessions. Jetlyn will provide feedback on your progress, you will be required to return to your GP who can then refer you for further sessions. If you are unable to get a new referral in time for your next appointment with Jetlyn, you can still attend the appointment but will be unable to claim a Medicare rebate.

The number of sessions and frequency is largely dependent on the nature of why you are seeking therapy and what you are hoping to achieve from sessions.

Sometimes people come to see a psychologist for a one-off session or to discuss a very specific concern which may only require a short treatment period (e.g. less than six sessions).

Other people may come to therapy to develop insight into long-standing issues that may have developed from experiences in their childhood or from significant stressors or to have ongoing support. This type of therapy generally occurs over an extended period of time.

Jetlyn may make recommendations, but the decision about treatment is always yours to make.