WHAT CAN I EXPECT AT MY FIRST SESSION?

It’s normal to feel nervous prior to your first appointment, but it’s also normal to feel more at ease once the session begins. The entrance and waiting room are entirely private so you can wait in peace prior to your session. The only person you will meet or interact with is me. This gives people a strong sense of privacy and allows them to truly relax when they come for an appointment. Indeed, I’ve gone to significant lengths to provide the highest levels of privacy and comfort.

If your appointment is via video, you will receive a link to the secure video service when your booking is confirmed. If it’s via phone, I will call you at the start of your appointment. I appreciate that your time is important so you can expect your session to start on time. Additionally, I put a sizeable gap between sessions, so the discussion doesn’t feel rushed and you don’t need to worry about bumping into the next person. Since starting in 2010, I have paid close attention to what cultivates a genuinely healing experience for people, and I use these insights to carefully craft the whole experience so that it’s deeply therapeutic and comforting.

The focus of the first session is to develop an understanding of what has brought you to therapy, as well as gathering some important background information such as employment history, family dynamics, and other factors that impact your wellbeing. Typically, the first session is an insightful experience that allows you to confirm your goals and understand how I work as a therapist.

DO I NEED A REFERRAL TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT?

Typically, a referral is required to book an initial appointment. However, there are some circumstances where a referral is not required. If you don’t have a referral, you will not be able to claim the Medicare rebate but if issues persist, you could consult your GP at a later date. Please note however, you cannot claim the rebate for sessions that occur before the creation of a Mental Health Care Plan.

WILL MY INFORMATION REMAIN CONFIDENTIAL?

Privacy is something that I take very seriously. I go to extreme lengths and costs to protect people's privacy, using a range of measures to ensure confidentiality and security. However, it’s important to understand that when talking with a registered psychologist, there can be extreme or rare scenarios that lead to the mandated disclosure of information, for example, a subpoena from a court. Further details about limits to confidentiality can be discussed prior to booking or during your first appointment. For more information, please refer to the privacy policy using the link below.

Getting the Right Documentation from your GP
Matt Ryan Psychology Privacy Policy Aug 2015