FAQs
Welcome! I’m so glad you’re here. Whether you’re considering booking an appointment or just curious about what I do, I have answered some common questions to help you feel at ease.
About Psychology
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A psychologist helps you understand how you think, feel, and behave — and works with you to figure out what's getting in the way of living the life you want. That might mean working through anxiety, depression, or burnout, making sense of a diagnosis, or simply having a space to think things through without judgement.
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It depends on what you're looking for. A psychologist provides evidence-based therapy for mental health conditions and is a good fit if you want to actively work on something. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who can prescribe medication and manage complex conditions. A counsellor is well-suited to life challenges, grief, or relationship difficulties. Not sure which fits? Feel free to reach out and I'll help point you in the right direction.
Getting Started
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No — you can book directly without a referral. If you'd like to access Medicare rebates, you'll need a Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP — sometimes called a Mental Health Care Plan) from your GP. But a referral is never required just to make an enquiry or book an appointment
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I work with adolescents (12 and over) and adults. I have a particular focus on neurodivergent clients — those with ADHD, Autism, AuDHD, or those who suspect they might be — though I welcome anyone who feels my approach might be a good fit.
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You can book directly through the online booking portal, or contact me by email or via the contact form if you'd prefer to have a conversation first. I also offer a free 15-minute phone call if you'd like to get a feel for whether we're a good fit before committing to an appointment.
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The first session is about getting to know you — what's been going on, what you're hoping to work on, and what you want things to look like on the other side. There's no script and no pressure to have it all figured out before you arrive. We go at your pace.
Fees & Medicare
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My session fee is $250 for an initial appointment and $230 for subsequent sessions. Medicare rebates are available for eligible clients with a Mental Health Treatment Plan, which reduces the out-of-pocket cost. Private health insurance may also provide a rebate depending on your policy — worth checking with your fund.
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The initial appointment is longer and involves more groundwork than a standard session. As well as getting to know you and what's brought you in, I need to gather background history, understand your goals, and start thinking about how best to support you. That takes more time and preparation than a subsequent session where we can pick up where we left off.
The $250 initial fee reflects that additional time and work — subsequent sessions are $230.
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A Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP — sometimes called a Mental Health Care Plan) is a document your GP prepares that enables you to access Medicare rebates for psychology sessions. Book a longer appointment with your GP and let them know you'd like a referral to a psychologist. Once you have your plan, bring it to your first session and I'll take care of the rest.
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Under the Better Access initiative, you can claim rebates for up to 10 individual sessions per calendar year. Your GP will initially refer you for 6 sessions, and after those you'll need a brief review appointment with your GP to access the remaining 4.
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Plenty of people do — meaningful change takes time. Once your Medicare sessions are used up for the year, you can continue privately. We can discuss what that looks like and make sure it works for you.
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Yes — I work with clients who are plan managed or self-managed under the NDIS. NDIS fees are aligned with the current NDIS Pricing Arrangements, so there is no out-of-pocket cost for eligible clients.
If you're not sure whether your plan covers psychology, it's worth checking with your plan manager or support coordinator before your first appointment. I'm happy to answer any questions you have about the process — just get in touch.
Please note I'm not currently registered as an NDIS provider, which means I'm unable to see agency-managed (NDIS-Managed) clients.
Practicalities
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Sessions run for a therapeutic hour — 50 minutes of face-to-face time, with the remaining 10 minutes used for notes and preparation for your next session. This is standard practice across psychology and allied health, and means your appointment time reflects the full hour even though the direct session time is 50 minutes.
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It varies. Some people feel a meaningful shift after a handful of sessions; others prefer ongoing support over a longer period. I check in regularly to make sure we're on the right track and that what we're doing is actually useful to you.
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Yes — everything you share stays between us. The only exceptions are situations where there's a risk of harm to you or someone else, or where I'm legally required to disclose information. I'll go through this clearly in your first session so there are no surprises.
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I ask for at least 48 hours' notice if you need to cancel or reschedule. Cancellations with less than 24 hours' notice, or missed appointments, may incur a cancellation fee of 100% of the session cost. I understand that life happens — if something unavoidable comes up, get in touch as soon as you can and we'll work it out.
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Reply N to your confirmation SMS, email hello@alanaegginspsychology.com, or get in touch through the contact form.
Telehealth
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Yes — telehealth is available to new and existing clients across Australia. Sessions are delivered via Zoom through my booking platform, Zanda. All you need is a device, a decent internet connection, and somewhere private to sit.
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Yes. Research consistently shows telehealth is just as effective as face-to-face therapy for most presentations. Many clients actually find it easier — particularly those who experience anxiety, sensory sensitivities, or who simply feel more comfortable and open at home.
Greenwood, H., Krzyzaniak, N., Peiris, R., Clark, J., Scott, A. M., Cardona, M., Griffith, R., & Glasziou, P. (2022). Telehealth versus face-to-face psychotherapy for less common mental health conditions: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. JMIR Mental Health, 9(3), e31780. https://doi.org/10.2196/31780
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Yes. Zoom sessions are encrypted and I use a secure, Australian-compliant booking and health records platform. Sessions are never recorded without your explicit consent.
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It happens — no stress. If we lose connection, I'll call you on the number you provided at booking so we can continue or reschedule if needed.
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Absolutely. If you're on the Sunshine Coast, you're welcome to mix telehealth and in-person sessions at Sippy Downs — whatever works best for you.
