Still have questions?

No. A doctor’s referral is not necessary to access our services. You can pay privately, use NDIS if you are privately managing your funds, or you may be able to use private health fund ancillary rebates if you have cover. Please check with your fund to find out the rebate level you will receive for Accredited Mental Health Social Worker, or Clinical Psychologist consultations.

Please see our Fees and Rebates page for further information including the process of obtaining treatment plans.

We will email you with some electronic forms to complete, and after these are completed, you will receive your appointment confirmation.

No. Medical practitioners (e.g., your GP, paediatrician or psychiatrist) will be responsible for prescribing medications if they deem them to be appropriate or required.

During the appointment, you will typically discuss your current concerns and issues with the clinician. They may ask you questions to gather more information about your situation and provide you with personalized treatment options.

Sessions are approximately 50 minutes in duration. We currently only offer telehealth consultations over a secure online video interface. We offer weekday and Saturday appointments.

The number and frequency of sessions will be determined through the assessment of a number of factors including: a) the severity of your concerns; b) if there are comorbidities; meaning if there may be a number of problems exist concurrently; c) how equipped, willing and able you are to implement strategies discussed during sessions.

We do ask you to be agreeable to commit to at least 6 sessions.

The frequency of your appointments will depend on your individual needs and the treatment plan developed with you and your clinician.

Some people may benefit from weekly sessions, while others may need less frequent appointments.

When you book, you will be asked to complete some short online questionnaires that assess your level of stress, anxiety and mood.

In your first session, you will be asked questions so we can understand your current situation, and your past experiences. This will allow you and your clinician to begin to consider treatment through a mutually agreeable plan.

You may be given information to read, or asked to try new strategies, or exercises after (or during) sessions. Implementing new strategies and new information can be challenging, but it is important attempt to be consistent to achieve maximum benefit. In session, time will be partially guided by the clinician, supporting you to implement strategies, but also partially guided by you.

We understand that sometimes unexpected circumstances arise, and you may need to cancel your session. To ensure fairness and maintain our scheduling commitments, we have implemented the following cancellation policy:

Cancellation with 48 Hours' Notice: If you cancel your session at least 48 hours in advance, there will be no charge, and you will receive a full refund of any fees paid.

Cancellation within 24 Hours: If you cancel your session within 24 hours of the scheduled time, a cancellation fee will be applied. You will be responsible for paying 50% of the session fee as a cancellation charge.

Please note the following:
- Cancellation notice should be provided in writing via email or any other acceptable form of communication.
- The cancellation fee will be deducted from any refund that is due.
- In case of a "no-show" or failure to provide any cancellation notice, the full session fee will be charged, and no refund will be provided.

We strive to provide the best service possible and appreciate your understanding and cooperation with our cancellation policy. If you have any further questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us.

If you are travelling by car there is paid parking ($2.20 per hour via the Easypay app or parking meters) on the road. Please read signs for further information on parking restrictions.

If you are travelling by train the closest station is Footscray Railway Station. We are a few minutes walk from here.

At Holding Compassion, we believe that effective collaboration and communication between separated parents are essential for your child’s well-being, development, and mental health. We are committed to working closely with both parents with hopes this supports your child to receive the best possible care in a way that minimizes conflict and fosters a supportive environment. The following outlines the responsibilities and commitments necessary to manage your child’s care and respect the rights of both parents. For us to provide the best care, we require both parents to agree to the following terms, unless one parent has sole decision-making authority:

1. Consent to Therapy: Both parents must consent to, and agree upon therapy being conducted at Holding Compassion for the care of their child.

2. Courteous and Civil Behavior: Both parents agree to maintain a courteous and civil approach during all consultations and interactions.

3. Financial Responsibility: All bills must be settled at the time of the appointment. Any financial arrangements or Medicare rebates will be negotiated between the parents. At no point will Holding Compassion staff be involved with financial arrangements. The parent who arranges the appointment is responsible for payment unless otherwise specified by court orders.

4. Child Protection and Legal Obligations: If there is a risk of harm to the child or a legal obligation to report any disclosures to the Department of Family and Community Services, we will fulfill our duty to report.

5. Communication Between Parents: In cases of joint parenting, the parent who arranges the appointment is responsible for informing the other parent of the appointment time and ensuring their availability before scheduling the appointment.

6. Sharing of Correspondence: If only one parent attends, it is the attending parent’s responsibility to share any correspondence with the other parent, unless explicitly agreed otherwise.

7. Disclosure of Information: Holding Compassion may disclose relevant information provided by either parent in our reports, but it will only be as needed or relevant for your child’s care.

8. Completion of Questionnaires: Both parents must complete questionnaires and forms (unless one parent has sole decision-making authority) to ensure we have a comprehensive understanding of your child’s behavior and needs in each of their home environments.