High quality, evidence-based therapy with clinical psychologists and therapists in Melbourne

Yes, Cova Psychology can assist you in selecting a psychologist in Melbourne who is well-suited to your needs. Our experienced reception team take into account your preferences, specific mental and physical health issues, as well as the type of psychological treatment you’re seeking. Whether it’s for cognitive behavioural therapy, managing anxiety, depression, trauma, eating disorders, or couples counselling, we make the process easily accessible.

Our psychologists have specialist training in a wide variety of therapeutic areas, and all of our therapists are passionate about building a strong therapeutic relationship with new clients. As a team we are able to address a wide range of psychological difficulties, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, sexual health concerns, and anger management. Your well-being is our priority, and we strive to provide psychological treatment that is both effective and tailored to help you with your life challenges.

In our private practice, we also offer grief counselling, and our psychologists are equipped to support those dealing with repetitive behaviours, OCD and chronic pain. With a focus on enhancing your overall mental and physical health, we ensure that our services are easily accessible and that our experienced team is ready to help you navigate through your therapy journey.

Of course, we cannot guarantee that you will feel your psychologist is the right fit for you. If this is an issue, we encourage you to discuss this with your therapist or go back to our Admin team, and we can help you to resolve this. It is important to be able to develop a good therapeutic alliance with your psychologist and if that doesn’t happen, it can be detrimental to your treatment progress.

Yes, Cova Psychology can match you to a psychologist in Melbourne who is well-suited to meet your needs. Our reception team take into account your preferences, specific mental and physical health issues, as well as the type of psychological treatment you’re seeking. 

Upon your first contact with Cova Psychology, our warm and experienced reception team will guide you through the process of matching you with a Psychologist Melbourne. They consider your mental and physical health, the psychological treatment you require, and your scheduling needs to ensure that you receive support as soon as possible.

Some questions you may be asked include:

• A brief description of the mental health issues you are seeking therapy for?
• Any specific treatments that you are particularly interested in or have been suggested to you?
• Any factors that you really do or really don’t want in your therapist?
• What days / times you are available for appointments?

This initial contact is intentionally structured to maximise the potential for a good therapeutic fit between you and your psychologist. Then, when you meet your psychologist, they will work collaboratively with you to explore your mental health concerns and formulate a bespoke psychological treatment plan.

Your mental health and well-being is our priority, and we strive to match you with a psychologist who is a good therapeutic fit and who can tailor a treatment plan customised to help you with your own unique life challenges.

Of course, we cannot guarantee that you will feel your psychologist is the right fit for you. If this is an issue, we encourage you to discuss this with your therapist or go back to our Admin team, and we can help you to resolve this. It is important to be able to develop a good therapeutic alliance with your psychologist and if that doesn’t happen, it can be detrimental to your treatment progress and mental health.

The cost of a psychology session in Melbourne can vary based on several factors, such as the length of the session, the experience level of the psychologist, and the type of therapy provided. At Cova Psychology, we offer a range of services with varying fees to reflect these differences. For detailed information regarding our fees, please reach out to our office.

New clients may be eligible for Medicare rebates under a mental health care plan, which can significantly reduce out-of-pocket expenses. We ensure that you receive clear and detailed information about fees and Medicare rebates right from the start, so you can make an informed decision regarding the financial commitments involved in commencing therapy.

Psychological services can be partially covered by Medicare or private health insurance. New clients with a mental health care plan and referral from a GP or psychiatrist can receive a Medicare rebate for up to 10 sessions with a psychologist within a calendar year. This helps make psychological treatment for mental health issues more affordable.

During your initial contact, our reception team will explore accessing Medicare rebates for your psychology sessions. They will provide further details around how to obtain a mental health care plan and referral.  

As you progress in therapy, our reception team will also endeavour to keep you updated regarding how many Medicare rebates you have used with us within each calendar year. We are not privy to Medicare rebates you have processed at other psychology clinics and so we encourage you to keep track of your overall number Medicare rebates you have processed within each calendar year. 

Medicare rebates generally do not apply to sessions for couples counselling or ADHD assessment testing.

Private health insurance may also cover part of the cost for psychological treatment, depending on your policy. We recommend checking with your insurer to understand your coverage for mental health services.

The first therapy session, also known as the intake session, is a vital aspect of your therapeutic process. It involves both you and your therapist asking questions to gain an understanding of your needs, your mental health, and to start creating a treatment plan.

During this initial consultation, your therapist will enquire about various topics such as:

• What motivated you to seek therapy? What mental health issues are you experiencing?
• Your background information
• Previous treatments that you may have undergone
• Your objectives and goals for attending therapy

This session allows safe space for setting boundaries on any sensitive subjects that you are not yet ready to discuss. As a client in therapy, it is important to feel safe and comfortable while working at your own pace.

You will also discuss the client agreement, which includes important aspects of therapy such as the confidentiality terms, cancellation policy, and your rights as a client. This conversation is an integral part of the “informed consent” process, ensuring that you are fully aware of and comfortable with the terms of therapy at Cova Psychology. Although there is a bit of paperwork and housekeeping, the first appointment is not just procedural but is a significant step towards establishing a trusting and collaborative therapeutic relationship between you and your psychologist.