Frequently asked questions.

FAQs and Payment

How to access services:

What age group do you support?

At this stage, we provide counselling support to those aged 12 years old, all the way through to 100 years+.

Do I need a referral?

You do not require a referral to Mind Over Matters for counselling if you are a private fee paying client, or if a service provider (such as Corrections, Child Protection or a Community Service Agency) are providing funding for your counselling sessions. You also do not require a referral if you are accessing our counselling services through a NDIS Plan, or private health insurance.

However, if you are wanting to access subsidised sessions through a GP Mental Health Care Plan, Non-Directive Pregnancy Support or a Chronic Disease Management Plan, you will require a referral from your Doctor.

What details does the GP need to send my referral to Mind Over Matters?

Please provide your GP with our details below to enable them to send us your referral:

Mind Over Matters

Shop 3/202 Campbell Street, Swan Hill, Vic, 3585

0436 965 284

info@mindovermatters.com.au

http://www.mindovermatters.com.au

Referrals can be emailed to us directly, or uploaded to our website portal via the Contact us page. If preferred, a hard copy can be sent to PO BOX 322, Swan Hill, VIC, 3585.

How do I gain access to counselling through a GP Mental health Care Plan?

A GP Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) allows you, if eligible, up to 10 sessions of subsidised support under the Better Access Health Initiative through your GP. See here for steps on how to access a MHCP.

How do I gain access to Non-Directive Pregnancy Support?

Book in to see your GP who can write a referral to Mind over Matters for Non-Directive Pregnancy Support. This will provide you with three partially subsidised sessions for counselling at Mind Over Matters per pregnancy.

How do I gain access to counselling with a Chronic Disease Management Plan?

A Chronic Disease Management Plan is written by your GP if they have determined that you require a multi-service approach for the treatment of your chronic or terminal illness. Your GP will state in the plan how many partially subsidised counselling sessions you are able to access (up to 5 sessions) through Mind Over Matters. They will also write a referral stating the supports you require.

How do I access Mind over Matters support services with an NDIS plan?

Our Therapists provide NDIS services to self-managed and plan managed Participants. You, your carer/family, your Service Coordinator, or LAC can contact us directly to request supports. You will be required to provide us with your NDIS participant number and plan details, alongside the contact details for your Plan Manager upon registration.

Currently, we provide NDIS supports under the following Capacity Building categories:

-       Assessment Recommendation Therapy or Training – Social Worker - 15_621_0128_1_3

-       Finding & Keeping a Job - Employment Related Assessment & Counselling – 10_011_0128_5_3

Can I access Mind Over Matters Counselling with Victims of Crime, WorkSafe, or TAC funding?

Yes, Mind over Matters are registered providers with Victims of Crime, WorkSafe and TAC. Therefore, you are able to access Mind Over Matters counselling if you have funding from any of these services.

Victims of Crime requires that an assessment letter and invoice be provided prior to approval of funding for our services. WorkSafe requires that a medical practitioner provide a referral to Mind Over Matters prior to counselling commencing.

Can I access counselling with my Private Health Insurance?

Some funds, including Bupa, HCF, St Luke's, and Teacher’s Health, cover Therapies provided by Mind Over Matters. If you are unsure, please contact your private health fund for more information prior to booking in with us to determine the rebate you may be eligible for.

What is the Anger Management Program Package?

Despite common misconception, anger management counselling may be included as part of a GP MCHP, as it often occurs alongside other mental health issues. However, we also provide an Anger Management Program Package that includes 4 counselling sessions specifically tailored to managing your anger, as well as a 15 minute follow up consultation after completion of the program.

The package is $600, which also includes a certificate of completion, if required by Corrections, Child Protection or similar.

How do I book an appointment?

If you are wanting to book your initial appointment, you can call us directly on 0436 965 284 to discuss your therapeutic needs and our suitability to provide you counselling. Or else, you can email us through the Contact Us page, or at info@mindovermatters.com.au. Ongoing appointment times/days will be discussed and booked directly with your therapist.

Do you offer Telehealth?

Yes, we offer Telehealth as an option for counselling sessions via Zoom or Teams. We will send a link to you to join the day of your session. We also offer phone appointments if requested.

Payment options and fees:

What are the counselling session costs?

Our standard rate for individual face-to-face, telehealth and telephone counselling services are charged at $160 per 50 mins. NDIS sessions are charged as per the current NDIS Price Guide 2024-2025.

Are Medicare rebates available?

Those who have a GP Mental Health Care Plan, a Chronic Disease Management Plan, or if you are accessing Non-Directive Pregnancy Support, are able to gain a Medicare rebate that provides subsidised counselling sessions through Mind Over Matters. The current fee after the Medicare subsidy has been provided is $74.80.

What payment options do you have?

We offer the convenience of EFTPOS payment with HICAPS capability for Medicare and some private health fund providers. Or we can collect your credit card details upon registration for your ease.

As a matter of principal, we do not offer After Pay or other similar financial products.

Do you offer Bulk Billing or a concession price?

We understand some may not be in a position to pay out-of-pocket fees due to experiencing financial hardship. As we believe that mental health support should be accessible to everyone, we may be able to offer a reduced price or bulk-billing for a limited amount of clients. Please contact us directly if you would like to be considered for this.

What is your cancellation / rescheduling policy?

Rescheduling: Where possible, we will attempt to reschedule your appointment, if requested, with at least 24 hours’ notice prior to your session time at no cost to you.

Cancellation: Clients cancelling/rescheduling within 24 hours of their scheduled appointment, or who fail to attend their appointment, will be required to pay 50% of the scheduled session fee.

 

Confidentiality, privacy and feedback: 

Mind over Matters Confidentiality Policy:

At Mind Over Matters, we prioritise your privacy and the confidential nature of the information you share with us. All communication before, during, and after your sessions will be kept private and secure. However, there are certain limits to confidentiality that you should be aware of:

·       Safety Concerns: If there is a serious concern for your safety or the safety of others, especially in cases where a child may be at risk of serious harm, we may need to disclose information to ensure safety.

·       Legal Obligations: If there is a legal requirement for us to report information related to your involvement in, or knowledge of, a serious crime, we are obligated to comply with the law.

·       Court Orders: In the event of a court order requiring us to provide information about you, we must fulfill that obligation.

·       Third-Party Requests: If you request that we share information with a third party, we will do so only with your informed consent.

All records and notes from your sessions will be securely stored in a location accessible only to authorised personnel. Your trust is vital to us, and we are committed to safeguarding your information. We utilise Halaxy as our health platform to store your information. Halaxy is one of the world’s leading health information management systems and trusted by GPs and health professionals across the globe.

Privacy Policy:

A privacy policy is a legal document that outlines how our organisation, Mind Over Matters, collects, uses, and safeguards personal information. It serves to provide transparency to our users about our data practices and ensures compliance with applicable privacy regulations.

You can find our detailed privacy policy [here]

Feedback and Support at Mind Over Matters:

At Mind Over Matters, we are dedicated to delivering exceptional service to our clients. Your feedback is invaluable in helping us enhance our offerings, processes, and communication. We encourage you to share your thoughts, whether it’s a compliment, a suggestion for improvement, or an issue that needs resolution.

How to Provide Feedback

  • Direct Feedback: We encourage you to let your individual therapist know any concerns or feedback you have.

  • If you feel more comfortable, you can provide feedback via email on: info@mindovermatters.com.au

  • You can also submit your feedback anonymously if you prefer by sending your thoughts to:

    Mind over Matters

    PO BOX 322

    Swan Hill, VIC, 3585

Additional Support for NDIS Clients

If you are an NDIS client and need assistance with providing feedback, you can contact the NDIS Commission for support. Their contact details can be found on their website: http://www.ndiscommission.gov.au Additionally, you can reach out to your NDIS Service Coordinator for help. The National Disability Advocacy Program is also available for support, and their website is http://www.dss.gov.au

We will attempt to resolve all concerns and respond to feedback within 2 business days.

Thank you for helping us improve our services! Your voice matters at Mind Over Matters.