Frequently Asked Questions
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To make an initial appointment with Babel Psychology in Mount Lawley, you can simply click on “Contact and Bookings”, which will take you to our enquire form. Alternatively, you’re welcome to send us an email.
If you would prefer a call back, just let us know in your message and we’ll get in touch to answer any questions you may have.
You don’t need a referral to book an appointment. However, if you’d like to access the Medicare subsidy, you will need to bring a valid referral and Mental Health Care Plan to your first session.
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Babel Psychology does not have a receptionist onsite at the Mount Lawley office in Perth. When you arrive, please come in through the main door and have a seat in the entrance area, Maria will come to greet you and take you through to the consulting room.
Before your first session at Babel Psychology, we will send you an email with a client agreement form and an intake form. We ask that you complete and sign these forms prior to your appointment, as they include some important information and reading. This helps ensure we can make the best use of your session time. You are very welcome to contact us if you have any questions about the forms, we’re happy to help.
Your first session is all about getting to know each other and creating a space where you feel safe and heard. You’ll talk about what brings you to therapy, what’s been challenging, and what you hope to get out of our work together.
Sessions usually last around 50-60 minutes (sometimes the initial session may run slightly longer). During this time, you’ll talk about what’s been on your mind, what’s been challenging, and what you hope to get from therapy. Your psychologist may also ask questions about your past, your present, and your life in general, even things that might not seem directly related to the problem you came in with. This helps understand your situation fully and support you in the way that makes the most sense for you. In saying that, you are in control of what you share and when. Your psychologist will follow your lead and will never push you to talk about things you are not ready to discuss. Building trust takes time and that is completely okay.
We’ll explain a bit about how we work, and together we can decide what approaches might fit best for your needs. Most importantly, it’s a space where you can be yourself, bring the messy, the serious, the funny, or even the “I don’t know what I’m feeling” moments.
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You are welcome to use our visitors parking (bays 10-13 only). There is also 4 hour street parking on Queens Crescent, and 1 hour parking on Beaufort Street. Additionally, there is a free carpark adjacent to the ANZ bank and one across the road where the Priceline Pharmacy is.
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You don’t need a referral to have appointments at Babel Psychology. However, if you’d like to access Medicare rebates, you’ll need to bring a valid referral and Mental Health Care Plan to your appointment.
We do recommend working alongside your regular healthcare provider, usually your GP, as a more collaborative, team-based approach to care can often be more effective. That said, this is entirely your choice and not essential.
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You may be eligible for a Medicare rebate per consultation if you have been referred to us by a General Practitioner under a Mental Health Care Plan, or referred directly from a Psychiatrist.
Many private health funds offer rebates for psychology, you will need to check with your health fund. Please note you cannot claim from both Medicare and Private Health Fund for the same consultation session.
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If you have an open insurance claim, we will require your case manager’s details and your claim number.
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Yes! We offer online sessions. All you need is a computer with a stable internet connection and a private space where you can feel comfortable, uninterrupted, and your session can remain confidential.
We kindly encourage you to be fully present during your telehealth session, as tempting as it can be to multitask in a busy life (we get it!), this time is for you. For safety and confidentiality reasons, we ask that you don’t attend sessions while driving or doing other activities. This helps you get the most out of your session and stay fully supported throughout.
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This depends on your individual circumstances and the difficulties you are experiencing. Some people are able to achieve a significant amount of change within 6 to 12 sessions. However, sometimes difficulties are long standing and are having a significant impact on your life, in this case therapy might be a long term commitment.
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Getting the most from therapy involves making a personal commitment to the process. Clients who attend sessions regularly often see the greatest progress.
It can also be helpful to do some work between sessions. This might include noticing your own patterns of thought or behaviour, practising skills learned in session, or trying out new approaches. Preparing for your sessions can make a difference too, for example, jotting down questions, reflections, or topics you want to bring up next time.
Think of it like homework for a student: practising and reflecting outside of sessions can really support your growth and consolidate what you’ve explored in therapy. This might mean brainstorming ideas, noting goals you’d like to achieve, or committing to practising a technique we’ve worked on together in a previous session.
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We take care to understand the unique needs of every person who comes to us. That said, the connection you have with your therapist is incredibly important. Feeling comfortable and “clicking” with your therapist can make a big difference in your experience and progress.
If you find that Babel Psychology isn’t the right fit for you, please let us know. We’re happy to suggest other options or help you explore where and how to find a therapist who may be a better match.
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Psychiatrists have completed a medical degree followed by further training focused on the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness. They specialise in the medical management of mental health conditions and are able to prescribe medication. Some psychiatrists also combine medication with therapy.
Psychologists are trained and registered professionals who work with both everyday challenges and mental health concerns. To become a fully registered psychologist, a person must complete an undergraduate degree followed by at least two years of supervised training and further education. There is strong research evidence supporting the effectiveness of psychological therapy, and for some conditions, it is considered the gold standard treatment.
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Sometimes extra services are needed or requested, and these may be billed separately. Examples may include:
✦ Connecting with schools or teachers
✦ Liaising with other agencies involved in your care (besides your referring clinician)
✦ Writing letters for insurance, legal, or other third parties
✦ Letters to employers or universities
✦ Preparing applications or letters to support your personal goals, whether requested by you or a third party
The cost will depend on how long the letter or report takes to prepare. These services aren’t included in the standard session fee, but a quote can always be provided before anything is done.
As part of your regular sessions, we will continue to provide:
✦ Communication with your GP or referring clinician
✦ Responses to brief emails and phone calls
✦ Planning and preparation for treatment
✦ Scoring and interpretation of clinical measures
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Cancellations made with less than 24 hours’ notice will incur a $100 fee. This policy isn’t intended to be punitive, and we understand that individual circumstances can arise.
At the same time, demand for mental health services is high, and without enough notice it can be difficult to offer that appointment time to someone else, as well as cover the costs involved in holding the session.
You will receive an SMS reminder a few days before your upcoming session. If your plans change, please reply to this message as soon as possible. You can also reschedule via this system or by email.
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Babel Psychology provides therapy and support for ongoing concerns, but we’re not able to respond to immediate or life-threatening crises. If you ever feel unsafe, at risk of harming yourself or others, or are in urgent distress, it’s really important to seek immediate help. For immediate support, please contact your local emergency services (000 in Australia) or visit your nearest hospital.
There are services specifically designed to support people in crisis, reaching out to them ensures you get help quickly and safely. Using these services means you can stay safe while keeping your therapy at Babel Psychology focused on your longer-term wellbeing.
Here are some helplines that can be useful:
✦ Lifeline 13 11 14
✦ Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (5-25 year olds) 1800 654 432 (parents)
✦ CAMHS Crisis Connect 1800 048 636 (24/7 - Urgent mental health support, advice and assessment for children and young people)
✦ Mental Health Emergency Response Line (Metro) 1300 555 788
✦ Headspace (Youth) 1800 650 890
✦ Beyond Blue 1300 224 636
✦ Suicide call back service 1300 659 467
✦ The Samaritans Crisis Line 9381 5555 (main line) 9388 2500 (youth line)
✦ Men’s line Australia 1300 789 306
✦ PANDA (perinatal anxiety and depression) 1300 726 306
✦ QLife (LGBTI+ 3pm – 12am) 1800 184 527
✦ Quitline 13 78 48
✦ Child Protection and Family Support Crisis Care Helpline 9223 1111
✦ Witness to War hotline 1800 845 198
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Babel Psychology does not have an onsite reception or a business phone number. We use a practice management system that allows us to communicate via SMS, and we will be in touch with you through SMS or email, you’re welcome to contact us using these methods as well.
If you would prefer a phone call, please let us know by email, SMS or our contact section in this website, and we’ll get back to you, indicating a suitable time to connect. Please note that calls are made from a private number.

