Bookings, Fees, Terms and Conditions

BEFORE YOU BOOK
ALL NEW CLIENTS ARE REQUIRED TO READ THE BELOW POLICIES BEFORE MAKING YOUR FIRST APPOINTMENT 
What to expect
​Prior to your first session it will be required to fill in an intake form to secure your booking. This is to ensure you are provided with the best service, confidentiality and safety. An intake form will be emailed to you if booking sessions for Telehealth or provided to you in-person. This will also be discussed in your first initial session.
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I will then either call you on your appointment time (if by telephone, please provide your phone number on the intake form) or send you a link for your session (if on-line session, please provide your email on your intake form).

In-person sessions are located at 15 Brock Street PORT ADELAIDE on the first level. Please be aware there are stairs and there is no elevator.

Your first initial session will take 50 - 60 minutes which will include a basic assessment of your problem, express your concerns and or conduct an assessment. Some areas of discussion may include a holistic overview of your situation, such as emotions, thoughts, beliefs, sensations, medications, health, sleep, exercise, diet, social interactions, spirituality and coping mechanisms to get a better understanding of you. We will then determine what treatment will be suitable.
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All subsequent appointment are no more than 50 minutes. There is no limit of sessions, you choose to do as many as needed. 
Prior to Booking Information 
For Telehealth services - 
At times on-line or telephone therapy is not suitable for people that may be experiencing major depression, suicidal thoughts, or have a history of significant trauma. Therefore in-person sessions may be recommended.

If you are unable to provide an emergency contact person in case you need additional supports after your session or if you have poor internet connection, or uncomfortable using technology then on-line therapy may not be suitable. Please discuss these issues before making your appointment.

If you are late on your appointment time, I will wait for 20 minutes into your appointment time. If you find it difficult to logon, having technical issues, or are late attending personally please call 0439 800 973. After 20 minutes I will call you once and if there is no response, I will no longer be trying to contact you, and your session will be forfeited. Please be aware that I have other appointments after your appointment, so being on time is appreciated. 

I do not respond to emails, phone calls or text messages in-between appointments unless it is an emergency or if you are making bookings or changes to your appointments. As I am busy in sessions these will be answered as soon as possible. 

If you are still unsure or have further questions please book in for your free 10 minute consultation to ensure I can help you.
Billing
When making your booking you will receive an email confirmation which will direct you how to pay for your upcoming appointment. 

​Due to high demand, I charge a full price of the session, even if you miss a session. Your credit/debit card will be charged after your booking time on the same day and a receipt will be sent to you via email. If you are attending in-person you can also pay on the day of your appointment and the credit card stored will not be used unless otherwise stated. All credit card information is encrypted and I do not have access of information of your card.

You cannot claim on medicare as I am not a clinical psychologist, however medicare only pay a portion leaving you with a gap and our prices are based on a gap you would normally pay with a psychologist. 

You can also pay via health insurance with eligible providers with PACFA, however please let me know before your appointment to verify if your health insurance can cover counselling as I do not have HICAPS and all paid invoices will be emailed to you so that you can claim with your health provider.

You can also claim on National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) if you are plan managed or self managed. This will be directly billed to you or your plan manager when requested. A separate service agreement will also need to be signed before claiming on NDIS.
Cancellation Policy
You must provide 24 hours' notice of any cancellations otherwise your appointment will be billed accordingly. If you miss an appointment you are more than welcome to make another one, bearing in mind all missed appointments occur a full fee of service with no refunds. Unless it is a legitimate emergency.
Disclaimer
Therapy and supervision is a confidential process designed to help you address your concerns, come to a greater understanding of yourself, and learn effective personal and interpersonal coping strategies.
 
It involves a relationship between you and a trained therapist who has the desire and willingness to help you accomplish your individual goals. It includes sharing sensitive, personal, and private information that may at times be distressing. The outcome is often positive; however, the level of satisfaction for any individual is not predictable. I am available to support you throughout this process.

Where the sessions are delivered online or over the phone the therapist takes all reasonable endeavours to protect and secure the privacy of sessions. 

​The Therapist and client are strictly forbidden to record their sessions without consent from both parties and the guaranteed security of the recording is clear. 
Consent and Confidentiality
All interactions with therapy and supervision services including scheduling of or attending appointments, content of your sessions, progress notes, and your records are confidential. 

Access to client information is limited to Maria Michalos, who is involved in delivering services to clients.

All personal information received from clients is kept safe, secure, confidential, accurate and up to date and clients understand why their personal information is collected.

You may request at any time in writing for access to your records about your sessions, however the way it will be delivered is negotiable. 

Clients are able to withdraw their consent at any time to the collection, use and disclosure of their personal information, unless stated by law.

Maria Michalos obtains client consent before collecting, using, sharing or releasing client information, except as set out in this policy or permitted or required by law.

Exceptions of confidentiality:
At times I may consult with a clinical supervisor about your situation to ensure and provide the best possible care. These consultations are for professional and training purposes. However no names of identity are mentioned to protect your privacy.

Client information can be used for related purposes only where it is reasonable to expect that it would be used for these purposes, for example to provide other services to the client in a multi-disciplinary setting, in these cases names may not be disclosed.

If there is evidence of clear and imminent danger of harm to self and/or others, all therapist are legally required to report this information to the authorities responsible for ensuring safety.

Australian law requires that staff of Therapy Services who learn of, or strongly suspect, physical or sexual abuse or neglect of any person under 18 years of age must report this information to child protection services.
Maria Michalos is compliant with the child safe environment policy of South Australia and holds working with children check (DHS Screening) and 'Through their eyes training'. 

A court order, issued by a judge, may require to release information contained your records and/or require to testify in a court hearing.

Any external agents to whom Maria Michalos releases information have a need to know and only use and disclose client information for the purposes for which it was originally provided, such as National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) requesting information or mandated reporting requirements as stated by Australian Law.

All legal, ethical and regulatory requirements regarding client information are met and maintained.
Clients rights
​The client may ask questions on what to expect during and end result of therapy. 


The client may decline to precede the therapy as to the techniques, which may be conducted by the therapist. 


The client may cease to continue therapy anytime, without any impediment and may return to therapy anytime. 


The client has the right to view their records from the therapist, however delivery of notes is negotiable. 


The client has a right to confidentiality and privacy in accordance with limitations provided by law. Therefore the client is aware that certain information will not be kept confidential. 

Client records and information acquired by the therapist shall be kept strictly confidential and information will not be shared or revealed to any person, agency, or organisation without the prior written consent of the client. 

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The client can raise any concerns and to speak with the therapist immediately of any concerns provided that the therapist is likewise available to discuss matters with the client. 
 

The client, then, has the power to decide what information they will share with their therapist. 
Telehealth Sessions Instructions
How you need to prepare for your online session: 
This service is for video-link sessions only. It is not a service that uses chat, email or text to deliver therapy. This service is not a crisis service so cannot be used without at least a 2 day lead up to the appointment. 

The on-line space is different to in-person therapy in that you are not meeting at the therapist’s office or rooms. You will need to have a few things prepared before your session: 
 
1. Have filled in the intake and consent form, signed and dated.
2. Returned the forms via email to the therapist. 

3. Have paid the agreed fee by direct debit or credit card.
4. Have access to a device (phone, tablet, computer) which has good internet connectivity and reliability. 

5. The device you use must have a camera, or a webcam that you can connect to 

6. Test your audio before the session so you know your microphone is working. 

7. Clean the camera lens so it is clear. 

8. Have your earphones or ear buds ready to use so others cannot overhear what the therapist is 
saying to you. This also creates a much clearer and consistent audio for your therapist. 

9. You need to have a private space where you can guarantee that you will not be disturbed. This 
cannot be in a public area, such as a café or park (outside of often a problem if it is windy). 

10. You will need 50 minutes for the session, so make sure you have put that time aside. 

11. You need to have family or a friend available to contact if you need further support at any time.

 
How the session starts: 
You will be sent a link via email. You just need to click on the link at the time of your appointment, then click on the button ‘open link’. You will then be taken into the session and your video and audio will automatically be on. 
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At the end of the session, the therapist will end the ‘on-line session’ and the platform will close on your device. The therapist will finish the appointment 50 minutes after beginning regardless of the client’s lateness as other clients also have scheduled appointment after yours.

What to do if the technology or connection fails: 
The client will phone the therapist on 0439 800 973 and continue the session until connectivity is resumed or the technological issue rectified. 
Complaints Policy
Complaints about Maria Michalos privacy policies and procedures are handled efficiently and effectively by contacting Maria Michalos directly on 0439 800 973 or via email mariamichalos8@gmail or made to the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) board if necessary on 03 9046 2270 [email protected]

FEES

Individual Therapy

Individual session
First and subsequent sessions
Allow 50 minutes
Cost $150

Family Therapy

Family Session
Sessions for families
Two to four people
Allow 1.5 hours
Cost $200

Clinical Supervision

Clinical Supervision Session
Allow 1 hour 
Cost $130
Take advantage of my 15 minute FREE consultation to see if I am the right fit for you... or
​To book an appointment please call or text Maria on 0439 800 973 or email mariamichalos8@gmail Available by appointment only via Telehealth or in-person.