Our Psychologists
All our Psychologists have extensive experience and training, which ensures the delivery of high quality professional services.
Unfortunately we are not currently taking new clients. For other treatment options, please click here.
Dr Chien Hoong Gooi
BCom, BSc (Hons), MSc, DClinPsych
Clinical Psychologist – Adult
I am particularly interested in working with adults experiencing Anxiety Disorders, phobias, panic and worry.
I work from an integrative perspective, combining the best evidence-based treatments including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Acceptance & Commitment Therapy and mindfulness approaches. I help clients identify, understand and break free from anxiety and fear through effective step-by-step strategies. This is done in a supportive and caring manner, with an appreciation of each individual’s unique circumstances and challenges.
My clinical experience in Anxiety Disorders includes working at the Emotional Health Clinic (Macquarie University), world renowned for research and treatment of Anxiety Disorders. I have also completed clinical research in the treatment of Generalised Anxiety Disorder using Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and Mindfulness-based Therapy at Sydney University.
My other area of interest is working with adults experiencing grief and loss by providing a safe and supportive environment to explore the experiences of grief and the challenges in adjusting to life changes. I have previously undergone training specific to the areas of grief and bereavement through my work at the St Vincent’s Hospital Bereavement Services.
My postgraduate qualifications include a Doctor of Clinical Psychology and Master of Science from Sydney University. I also provide training and supervision for mental health clinicians and am a Psychology Board of Australia approved supervisor.
Unfortunately I am not currently taking new therapy clients (still available for supervision). For other treatment options, please click here.
Dr Elizabeth Hall
BSc, GradDipSc, MSc, DClinPsych
Clinical Psychologist – Adult
I am especially interested in working with individuals experiencing eating-related disorders, including over- and under-weight issues. As well as working with Indepth Psychology, I have worked with the internationally recognised team of Eating Disorder clinicians at the Beumont Centre for Eating Disorders, and I co-ordinated Eating Disorder services in a Sydney local health district. I am currently involved in research at The University of Sydney examining the effectiveness of attention training in the treatment of Eating Disorders.
I also see individuals experiencing depression, anxiety and stress. I have worked for a number of years in a range of settings including inpatient and outpatient hospital treatment, rehabilitation, government organisation and tertiary education. My training and experience allows me to work from a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy approach, while integrating strategies from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Narrative Therapy and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy.
I am also a Psychology Board Approved Supervisor for the Registrar program for endorsement in Clinical Psychology, for the 4 + 2 pathway, and the 5 + 1 pathway. I also provide supervision for health professionals for consultation or ongoing supervision.
Unfortunately I am not currently taking new clients. For other treatment options, please click here.
Fees & Rebates
Consultations are approximately 50 minutes, and fees are payable just before the start of each session. Payment methods include cash, credit card (Visa & MasterCard) and EFTPOS. Consultation fees vary across our Psychologists. Please contact us for current consultation fees.
We provide concessional discounts for students, pensioners and others in financial hardship; please enquire when booking an appointment.
Medicare Rebates
Medicare rebates are available for psychological treatment by Psychologists (10 consultation sessions for each calendar year) under the Better Access to Mental Health Care initiative. You need to be referred by your GP, Psychiatrist or Paediatrician to access these rebates. Your GP will need to complete a detailed mental health assessment and prepare a Mental Health Treatment Plan before referring you to our Psychologists. You should book a longer session with your GP to enable time for this.
If you are referred under the Mental Health Treatment Plan, you will be entitled to a rebate of $124.50 per session with a Clinical Psychologist. Full payment will be collected for each session and you then take your receipt to any Medicare office to claim the rebate.
Please see website below for further details:
http://www.psychology.org.au/medicare/fact_sheet/
Private Health Insurance Rebates
Most private health insurers offer rebates on psychological services. To claim a rebate:
• You need to be covered by ancillary benefits insurance (extras)
• The psychologist needs to be approved by the health insurance fund
• Some health funds also require a medical referral
Rebates vary based on your level of cover so please check with your insurance company for details.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do I need to see a psychologist?
People see psychologists for various reasons to seek support and help with particular difficulties, such as anxiety or eating issues, or they simply want to find ways to improve overall psychological and emotional wellbeing. So anyone can see a psychologist and it does not mean that you are “crazy”. It often means that you are willing to reach out for support and use the available services to improve your life situation.
2. What is the difference between a Psychologist, Clinical Psychologist and Psychiatrist?
In Australia, the title “Psychologist” is regulated by law and only individuals with appropriate training and qualification can be called one. This typically involves completing university level studies of psychological science, plus at least 2 years of training in the assessment and treatment of psychological difficulties. “Clinical Psychologists” are psychologists who work primarily in the assessment and treatment of mental health issues, and most have to undergo at least a 2-year university Masters or Doctorate program in the area. A “Psychiatrist” is trained as a medical doctor with particular specialty in mental health. Psychologists can not prescribe medication while Psychiatrists can.
3. What happens at the first session?
The first session typically goes for 50 minutes, and is a time for your psychologist to understand the difficulties you are facing or the issue you’d like help with. The psychologist will guide the session and ask you different questions. By the end of the first session, the psychologist will be able to give you an idea of treatment ideas and how to proceed from there.
4. How many sessions will I need?
People see psychologists for a variety of reasons so the number of therapy sessions required will depend on each person’s circumstances and the severity of the issues. At the end of the first session, your psychologist will be able to give you an estimate of the number of sessions needed to see significant changes. During the course of therapy, your psychologist will have regular reviews with you to make sure that you are progressing at a pace that is appropriate to you.
5. What if I’m feeling nervous or unsure about talking to someone?
It is very natural to feel nervous or unsure about seeing someone about your difficulties, especially if you’ve never seen a psychologist before. Your psychologist will take the lead in this process and will explore these difficulties with you in a safe and supportive manner. By the end of the session, the psychologist will give you some ideas for treatment and you can decide whether or not you’d like to continue with treatment.
6. Will I get a rebate for my therapy fees?
If you are referred by your GP or Psychiatrist under a Mental Health Plan, you will be entitled to a rebate that covers a large part of your therapy fees. You can see your GP for an assessment to see if you are eligible for a referral. The amount of rebate varies between practitioners and you can find out more by clicking here. Alternatively, many private health insurance offer rebates if you have extras cover. Since everyone’s policy is different, it’s best to check with your health fund about rebates.
7. How do I get my rebate?
Full payment will be collected at the beginning of each session and you will be given a receipt, which you can take to Medicare or your health fund to lodge a claim.
8. What type of therapy do you use?
All our psychologists use therapy approaches that have the strongest evidence in terms of treatment outcome. These include cognitive behaviour therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, mindfulness based approaches and other specific treatment approaches. Your psychologist will tailor the treatment to match your needs and will also discuss the approach with you before commencing treatment.
