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Psychology

Clinical psychologists have advanced training and experience in the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of psychological problems and disorders. You are welcome to make an appointment with our clinical psychologist for any mental health challenges you are experiencing. Common reasons include, but are not limited to:

Adjustment Difficulties & Major Life Changes
Anxiety & Fears
Depression & Low Mood
Stress, Burnout & Work/Life Balance
Grief, Loss & Complex Bereavement
Relationship Problems
Anger, Irritability & Resentment
Emotion Regulation Difficulties
Excessive Rumination & Worry
Self-esteem, Confidence & Assertiveness Issues
Traumatic Life Experiences & Major Life Stressors
Chronic Pain & Health Anxiety
Substance Misuse & Impulse-Control Problems
Sleep Difficulties & Insomnia
Workers’ Compensation Matters

What happens during a therapy session

Consultations are 50 minutes. In the first session, time is spent gaining a comprehensive understanding of current difficulties. Subsequent sessions will focus on your psychological treatment needs and help you work towards your therapy goals. The treatment is specifically tailored to each person, however, some common topics in therapy sessions include:

Exploring and addressing recurring themes and habits in your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours that prevent you from living the life that you want.
Enhance your ability to become more self-aware, reflective, and psychologically flexible, finding new ways to respond and manoeuvre past psychological challenges.
Processing difficult issues and improving your ability to tolerate uncomfortable feelings.
Changing your relationship with discomfort and fear, in order to help you grow and make meaningful and truthful changes that you want to see in your life.
Improving your capacity to develop a more non-judgemental and kind-hearted relationship with oneself and others.
Learning about your values, needs, desires, boundaries, and how to be true to yourself to create a more fulfilling life.

Some sessions may be challenging because they bring up difficult emotions, whilst other sessions may be inspiring because of something you have discovered about yourself. The more open, honest, and motivated you are – the bigger the payoff in therapy.

Nowra Fees

Psychology	Patient cost	MBS rebate	Out of pocket
Lauren MacNamara: Initial appointment. $100 non-refundable deposit paid on booking for initial appointment.	$240.00	$141.85	$98.15
Review appointments	$210.00	$141.85	$68.15
Patients without an eligible care plan will not receive an MBS rebate and will pay full patient cost. Lauren also accepts DVA referrals and is a provider for Australian Defence Force members. HICAPS is available for patients with private health funds who are eligible to receive benefits.
Scott Grove (Mental Health Direct): Standard Fees	$176.65	$96.65	$80
Eligible Pension/HCC Concession	$156.65	$96.65	$50.00
Patients without an eligible care plan will not receive an MBS rebate and will pay full patient cost. Workcover accepted with prior written approval from the insurance company. HICAPS is available for patients with private health funds who are eligible to receive benefits.

Shell Cove Family Health Fees

Psychology	Patient cost	MBS rebate	Out of pocket
Karin Sandquist – Tues – Thurs: With Referral	$211.85	$141.85	$70.00
Without Referral	$230.00	–	$230.00
Patients without an eligible care plan will not receive an MBS rebate and will pay full patient cost. Workcover accepted with prior written approval from the insurance company.

Psychologist	Patient cost	MBS rebate	Out of pocket
James Pepper (Mental Health Direct): Standard Fees	$166.65	$96.65	$70.00
Eligible Concession	$146.65	96.65	$50.00
Patients without an eligible care plan will not receive an MBS rebate and will pay full patient cost. James books are currently closed to Workers Compensation.

Mental Health Direct offers personalised mental health care through both in-person and telehealth appointments, with a focus on flexibility and accessibility. Our dedicated clinicians work closely with you to understand your unique challenges and goals, providing tailored support to help you on your mental health journey. We ensure affordability by offering subsidised fees and potential Medicare rebates, making high-quality care accessible to everyone.

Available at

Grand Pacific Health Nowra
- 107 Scenic Drive, Nowra, 2541, NSW
- PO Box 516 Nowra NSW 2541
- Phone (02) 4448 2255
- Fax (02) 4448 2288
- Email info@gphnowra.org.au
Shell Cove Family Health
- 2 Shallows Drive, Shell Cove, 2529, NSW
- Phone (02) 4225 5600
- Fax (02) 4225 5699
- Email admin@scfh.org.au

Referrals

With a referral (Mental Health Treatment Plan) from a GP or Psychiatrist, you can claim a Medicare Rebate for up to 10 sessions per calendar year. The current Medicare Rebate for individual sessions with a Clinical Psychologist is $137.05.

Alternatively, you can self-refer and pay for your sessions privately. If you have Private Health Cover and are eligible to receive benefits, then you will be able to claim a rebate amount for your appointments.

HICAPS billing is available, so Medicare Rebate and Private Health Cover can be claimed at the time of payment.

Cancellation policy

Due to the high demand for services, the practice runs a cancellation list where last-minute appointments can be offered to those who need them. We appreciate prompt notification if you need to cancel or postpone to ensure that someone on the waitlist can utilise the session spot.

If you miss an appointment or cancel with less than 24 hours’ notice, a cancellation fee of $40 is charged. This fee cannot be claimed through Medicare or Private Health Cover.

To book an appointment with our Clinical Psychologist Karin at GPH Shell Cove call 02 4220 8800