
Frequently Asked Questions
Booking an appointment is simple. You can contact the friendly Oakden Medical Centre reception team on 08 8266 7788, or use the online booking link on my website to choose a time that suits you.
If you’re using a Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP, please let the team know when you book so we can ensure everything is in place for your first session.
If you’re being referred through Comcare, Return to Work, or the NDIS, your case manager or support coordinator can also send through the referral details on your behalf.
If your referral is for a forensic assessment or forensic treatment report, I will require a letter of instruction from your lawyer or solicitor before the appointment can be confirmed.
Feel free to reach out to the reception team if you’re unsure which option is right for you.
No, you don’t need a referral to book an appointment with me—you are welcome to self-refer.
However, if you would like to claim a Medicare rebate, you’ll need a referral and a Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP. This involves a brief appointment with your doctor, where you’ll discuss your mental health and eligibility. You can then bring your referral letter with you to your first session.
Some clients are also referred through insurers, Return to Work, or NDIS. If that applies to you, we’ll go through the process together to make sure everything is set up correctly.
Your first session is an opportunity for us to get to know each other and for me to understand what has brought you to therapy. I’ll ask some questions about your current concerns, your background, and what you would like to get out of our work together. This helps me build a picture of your needs and how I can best support you.
It’s also a chance for you to ask questions, share any preferences or concerns, and see whether you feel comfortable working with me. We’ll talk through practical things like confidentiality, how sessions are structured, and what therapy might look like for you.
By the end of the first session, we’ll usually have a clearer idea of your goals and an initial plan for moving forward. Some people leave the first session feeling relieved to have shared their story, while others may feel a bit tired from talking about difficult experiences—that’s all very normal.