Information for New Clients

Individuals, family members or professionals are welcome to make a referral to our clinic. Please call us on 03 8370 3178 or drop us an email at admin@nourishnurturethrive.com.au to make an enquiry.

Intake Process

FIRST CONTACT

Your enquiry or referral will be responded to by a member of our friendly reception team who will give you information about services, fees and waiting periods. We will request some paperwork from you in order to proceed to the intake stage.

To have your enquiry fast tracked, please send your paperwork in as soon as possible.

PAPERWORK

1. Medical Assessment

A medical assessment is typically conducted by your GP (or Paediatrician) and includes an assessment of your current eating behaviours and your physical health including heart rate, blood pressure, weight & height, recent weight trajectory, temperature and perfusion status. Your GP may also order blood tests and an ECG. 

  • Click Here to download Medical Assessment Guidelines to take along to your GP visit.

  • It is important to have regular reviews with your GP and at times we may request an up-to-date assessment prior to the first appointment.

  • Our clinic adopts a non-diet, weight inclusive approach to healthcare. We ascribe to the Health at Every Size philosophy which supports people of all sizes to receive help and care, without weight stigma and discrimination. If you have any concerns about having your weight taken, please can ask your GP to have a blind measurement taken where you don’t have to see the number.

2. Medicare Referrals

If you would like to obtain a rebate from medicare, you will also need to obtain a GP referral. Your GP will help determine which referral type is best suited to you. We accept the following referrals:

  • Mental Health Care Plan

  • Eating Disorder Plan

  • Chronic Disease Management Plan

Additional information on Medicare referrals can be found at the bottom of this page.

INTAKE CALL

Once we receive your paperwork, you will be contacted by our warm and caring intake team who will conduct an intake interview over the phone. This conversation will explore your concerns and reasons for seeking help, so we can understand your specific needs. After we have gathered this information, we will advise if we can proceed or whether alternative services might be more suitable.

REGISTRATION FORMS

You will be asked to complete some online registration forms to register you with our clinic.

WAITING LIST & BOOKING AN APPOINTMENT

Once we receive your registration forms, we will either book you straight into the next available appointment or place you on our waiting list. This depends on clinician’s availability and matching you with the right clinician with suitable skills, experience and training to meet your needs. 

We take significant care to match clients to the right clinician, and therefore there may sometimes be a waiting period for particular clinicians.  

The first appointment will be an assessment session, where the clinician will spend time getting to know you, understanding your concerns and learning about your needs. For clients who are children and adolescents, the first two appointments held are assessment sessions - a parent only assessment and an individual child assessment.

FeeS

We are a private billing clinic and unfortunately we do not bulk bill. This means that there will be out of pocket costs associated with appointments, even if you have an eligible Medicare referral.

Clinical fees are to be settled on the same day as your appointment. If you have an eligible referral, we will process your medicare rebate on your behalf, which you will receive from Medicare within a 1-2 business days. The medicare rebate amount is dependent on which clinician you see, the type of appointment held and individual factors such as the family medicare safety net threshold.

All payments are processed automatically by our secure system. Your credit card details will be requested and stored securely with encryption in our confidential practice management software.

EXPECTED OUT OF POCKET COSTS (full fee, after medicare rebate):

  • Senior Clinical Psychologist: $138 - $188*

  • Clinical Psychologist: $123 - $173*

  • Psychologist / Clinical Psychology Registrar: $128 - $178

  • Dietitian: $99 - $199*

  • Provisional Psychologist - $85

* Concession rates are available for healthcare card holders and pensioners during off peak times. Concession rates apply to clinical psychology and dietitian services, which will lower the listed out of pocket cost by approximately $30 - $40.

NDIS

We are able to provide psychological and dietetic services under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) for clients who are self managed or plan managed. We are not registered providers with NDIS therefore clients who have an Agency Managed (NDIA) plan will unfortunately not be able to use their NDIS funding with us.

Parents & Medicare Claimants for clients under 18

Please note parents: if you are paying your child’s fees and wish to have the Medicare rebate paid into your account, please ensure you have provided Nourish. Nurture. Thrive. with your Medicare card details (in addition to your child’s) so we can list you as the primary claimant. Additionally, please confirm with Medicare that you have registered your bank details with your child’s Medicare number. While we take every care to ensure you are informed about Medicare processes and rebates, Nourish. Nurture. Thrive. is unable to take responsibility for this process. 

We understand that accessing treatment and support is a significant financial investment. If you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact our wonderful practice managers, Carla or Karen, on admin@nourishnurturethrive.com.au

Medicare Rebates

Better Access to Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP):

The MHCP allows individuals who are diagnosed with a mental health condition (including an eating disorder) to access Medicare rebates for psychological services.

What does the MHCP provide?

The MHCP provides Medicare rebates for up to 10 individual sessions of psychological therapy per calendar year. 

Who is eligible for a MHCP?

Your medical practitioner (GP, psychiatrist or paediatrician) will assess your eligibility, but generally individuals who have been diagnosed with a mental health condition are able to access this plan. 

How do I access a MHCP?

You will require a referral from your medical practitioner (GP, psychiatrist, or paediatrician). If consulting with your GP, we recommend you book an extended appointment to ensure you have adequate time to complete a plan. 

Eligible clients can receive up to 10 individual sessions in a calendar year. After the first six sessions, a review with your GP is required where you can discuss your progress and make further treatment plans if necessary.

What are the rebates for a MHCP?

The rebate amount will vary depending on the clinician that you see. There will be an out of pocket cost for all services. For the latest Medicare Benefits Schedule information, please visit: www.health.gov.au/mbsonline

Eating Disorder Management Plan (EDMP):

The Eating Disorder Management Plan (EDMP) allows eligible clients who are diagnosed with an eating disorder to access Medicare rebates. 

What does the EDMP provide?

  • Eligible clients are able to access up to 40 sessions of evidence-based eating disorder psychological treatment (within a 12 month period)  under an Eating Disorder Psychological Treatment (EDPT) plan. 

  • Eligible clients are able to access up to 20 dietetic services with an Accredited Practising Dietitian (within a 12 month period) under an Eating Disorder Dietetic Treatment (EDDT) plan. 

Who is eligible an EDMP?

  • All individuals with a diagnosis of Anorexia Nervosa are eligible

  • Clients with other eating disorder presentations (such as Bulimia Nervosa, Binge Eating Disorder, or Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorders/OSFED) may be eligible if their condition is considered “severe”. 

What is considered a “severe”** presentation for conditions other than Anorexia Nervosa?

This will be assessed by your treating team, but the following criteria are considered:

  • Rapid weight loss, frequent binge eating episodes, or compensatory behaviours that occur more than three times per week 

  • Current or high risk of associated medical complications

  • Serious psychological or medical comorbidity

  • An eating disorder-related hospital admission in the past 12 months 

  • Inadequate treatment response after 6 months of consistent, evidence-based eating disorder treatment 

  • Your doctor or psychologist will complete a psychometric assessment (the EDE-Q) with you, that will also contribute in determining if a condition is considered “severe”** 

** Please note, Nourish. Nurture. Thrive. would like to acknowledge that the EDMP criteria that determine severity do not adequately represent the severity of suffering, nor the worthiness of care, for individuals afflicted by conditions outside of these criteria. Unfortunately ARFID does not qualify for a referral under an EDMP.

How do I access the EDMP plan?

Ask your GP, psychiatrist, or paediatrician to prepare an Eating Disorder Management Plan (EDMP). We recommend you request an extended appointment to ensure you have adequate time available to complete the information required.

What are the rebates for an EDMP?

The rebate amount will vary depending on the clinician that you see. There will be an out of pocket cost for all services. For the latest Medicare Benefits Schedule information, please visit: www.health.gov.au/mbsonline

Chronic Disease Management Plan (CDM):

A Chronic Disease Management Plan (CDM) enables clients with a chronic health condition requiring a multidisciplinary care team approach to access Medicare rebates for allied health services.

What does a CDM provide?

The CDM allows eligible clients to access Medicare rebates for up to 5 sessions of allied health services (e.g. dietitian, psychologist, occupational therapist, social worker, etc.) within a calendar year. 

Who is eligible for a CDM?

Clients who have a chronic health condition (chronicity of more than 6 months) that requires a multidisciplinary care team approach. A chronic eating disorder may meet these requirements. 

How do I access a CDM?

You will require a referral from your GP and we recommend you book an extended appointment to ensure you have adequate time to complete a plan. 

Private Health Insurance

Most private health funds will provide some cover for psychological services. However, the level of cover varies significantly and is also dependent on your particular policy. It is best to check this with your private health fund directly.

Cancellation policy

We require sufficient notice (48 business hours) for cancellations, in order for us to reallocate your appointment time to another person. If less notice is received, a cancellation fee will apply which is not covered by a Medicare rebate. Please be mindful of this when scheduling and confirming your appointments. For detailed information on cancellation fees, please contact us directly.