Online Psychologist
Virtual Therapists Available Wherever You Are in Australia
Access Online Clinical Psychologists With Convenience
Cadence Psychology provides a range of options for accessing an adult or child psychologist online including phone sessions and online psychological counselling using either Skype or Zoom in addition to our face-to-face sessions.
These forms of telehealth allow you to get all the benefits of seeing a clinical psychologist from the comfort of your home or office. This provides a convenient and safe alternative to traditional face-to-face therapy, particularly in light of the restrictions being placed on us all by coronavirus. It also means that even if you live outside of Sydney you are still able to receive therapy from us.
Just like a regular face-to-face psychology session, seeing an online psychologist involves scheduling an appointment time, but then using a form of telehealth such as Zoom or Skype to conduct your appointment over the internet.
Book Your First Internet Counselling Session
If you would like to book a telehealth session with one of our clinical psychologists and start getting support from wherever your are in Australia, then contact us today either on 0478 876 678 or through the form below:
What Is Zoom?
Cadence Psychology’s preferred option for online video counselling is Zoom. Zoom is a teleconferencing program like Skype that allows therapist and client to see each other using their computers or mobiles across the internet.
While we can do telephone or Skype sessions, there are a few reasons we prefer Zoom:
- Zoom provides end-to-end encryption unlike other services which ensures the confidentiality of your session.
- Zoom allows us to share our screen so that we can provide handouts and education to you during session.
- Zoom lets you have a telehealth session within your web browser without any need to download the program.
Benefits Of Using Zoom/Skype Online Therapists
One of the biggest advantages of online video counselling or telehealth is the convenience. You can receive the same treatment you would at a psychologist’s office without having to venture out. By using teleconferencing software such as Zoom or Skype your therapist is able to build rapport with you across the internet as they can still see your body language in addition to hearing about your thoughts and feelings. Some other important advantages include:
- The flexibility to be able to see your therapist both in person and online as needed.
- Clients living in remote areas can still access psychological treatment.
- Clients with mobility issues or significant health concerns that might make is difficult to attend a face-to-face session can still receive therapy.
- Some clients may feel more comfortable starting therapy in their own home where it may feel less confronting.
- Lockdowns caused by COVID-19 do not have an impact on receiving therapy.
- The ability to find a psychologist with immediate availability, which can often be difficult to find face-to-face in regional areas with smaller populations such as Canberra and Wagga Wagga where wait lists are currently extensive.
How Online Video Counselling Works At Cadence Psychology
Book Appointment – To get started with online video therapy you can call Cadence Psychology on 0478 876 678 or email us at change@cadencepsychology.com.au from there we will arrange a time to do a quick 5-minute intake call with you to make sure we’re the best service for you counselling needs.
Intake Call – We will call you to discuss your needs and book in a time and date for your initial assessment. Following your intake call we will send you details on how to access your first telehealth session.
Assessment – Assessment is your first online video session and provides us with a chance to get to know a little more about you and what has brought you in to us. Your therapist is seeking to use the assessment session to determine the goals that you want to work towards.
Formulation – This refers to a psychologist trying to create a story about the mechanisms that are keeping you stuck. This involves integrating the information from assessment with the latest research.
Treatment Plan – After the assessment and formulation are complete your psychologist will create a collaborative treatment plan with you so that there is structure to your future sessions. This is a flexible plan that can change as need be.
Treatment – Future treatment sessions will aim to help you make the changes that you set as goals in the assessment by teaching you new strategies. Cadence Psychology works with a variety of treatment forms including CBT, ACT and Schema Therapy.
Things To Consider About Using An Online Psychologist
Although Zoom and Skype sessions are generally pretty straightforward there are a few factors to consider:
- Do you have access to a stable internet or phone connection?
- Do you have access to a webcam and microphone, or a mobile phone?
- Do you have a space that is free of distraction to conduct your online sessions?
- Are you okay with the possibility of technical glitches that can result in sessions dropping out?
- Are you comfortable expressing emotions such as crying when there isn’t another person physically in the room with you?
- Is online therapy appropriate for your issue? For example, acute crises such as immediate risk of suicide are not suited to telehealth as the therapist is unable to guarantee your safety.
What Issues Can And Can't Be Treated With Telehealth?
Can Be Treated
- Addictions
- Anger
- Anxiety
- Chronic pain
- Depression
- Grief and Loss
- Perfectionism
- Relationships
- Self-esteem
- Sex therapy
- Sleep issues
- Trauma
Can't Be Treated
- Mental health crises/emergencies
- Domestic violence
- Current physical or sexual abuse
- Suicidality and self-harm
- Psychosis/Schizophrenia
- Bi-polar disorder
- Some eating disorders
- Some personality disorders
Medicare Rebates For Online Video Therapy
Medicare provides rebates of up to $141.85 per telehealth session allowing you to get some money back for your Zoom and Skype sessions:
In order to access Medicare rebated sessions you will first have to see your GP to obtain a Mental Health Treatment Plan which will enable you to access up to 10 telehealth sessions per calendar year.
Currently medicare rebates for telehealth are available to all.
FAQs About Online Psychologist Sessions
How does payment work?
Payments are taken either via direct deposit into our bank account of through our clinical portal, Halaxy, which is also able to process rebates where available.
What is the cost of telehealth therapy?
The cost for telehealth sessions is currently the same as our face-to-face sessions. The cost of $240 (or $260 for after hours sessions) is required to be paid at least 24 hours before the session time. Cancellation fees apply to sessions cancelled with less than 48 hours notice. Medicare rebates are up to $141.85 per session.
How do I prepare for my sessions?
Aside from ensuring that you have the required technology to facilitate a web video call there is nothing you need to do for standard sessions. Ahead of your initial assessment we will ask you to complete some forms and email them back to us, but apart from that there is no additional preparation required.
To ensure smooth operations, we ask that clients be logged in to their online video counselling session 5 minutes before the beginning of their session. All sessions are book in based on Sydney, Australia time.
Is video counselling as effective as face-to-face?
Research has shown that video counselling using telehealth options such as Zoom or Skype is as effective as face-to-face therapy when conducted by a professional. Cadence Psychology’s therapist are clinical psychologists familiar with evidence-based treatments.
How can I protect my data during online video therapy?
While Zoom is generally secure, like anything online there are risks. To ensure maximum safety and confidentiality we recommend:
- Using a separate device for general browsing or email checking while connected to Zoom to prevent triggering any attention tracking alert. While your therapist will be 100% attending to the session, we appreciate that it is common for clients to occasionally drift to other tasks when seated in front of a computer.
- Do not sign in via Facebook as this increases the amount of personal data that Zoom can access.
- If using the Zoom app on your mobile, ensure that you are updated to the most recent version.