Frequently Asked Questions About Our Counselling & Supervision Services
Answers to common questions about our online and phone counselling and supervision services, available in English and Spanish
Your Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
This section answers common questions about our counselling and supervision, including how to get started, fees, and what to expect. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, you’re welcome to contact us; we’re here to guide you through the process.
How do I get Started
- Private clients and supervisees:
You can book directly through our Booking page, call us on +61 478 698 330, or Contact Us - EAP clients:
Please contact your Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provider to arrange your first session. - NDIS participants:
Call us on +61 478 698 330 to organise your initial appointment.
Do I need a referral?
- Private clients:
No referral is required. You can book directly. - EAP clients:
No referral is needed, but your session must be approved through your employer’s EAP provider. - NDIS participants:
No referral is required. As an NDIS-registered provider (Therapeutic Supports 0128), we accept direct bookings. - Self-managed and plan-managed participants can contact us directly
- NDIA-managed participants can also book directly without additional approvals
Are appointments available after hours or on weekends?
Appointments outside standard hours may be available depending on your Counsellor or Supervisor’s availability.
- Standard hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (AET)
- After-hours sessions may be offered on selected weekdays and Saturday mornings
- A 10% fee applies outside standard hours
- Public holidays may incur a 15% additional fee
What should I do before my session?
For phone or online sessions:
- Be in a private and safe space
- Avoid attending sessions while driving or in public areas
- Be ready 2 minutes before your session
For online sessions:
- Ensure your device is charged
- Have the latest version of Microsoft Teams installed
If a session cannot proceed due to these conditions, a cancellation fee may apply.
Can I request a support letter?
SCSS can only provide attendance letters, which include:
- Name and date of birth
- Number of sessions attended or missed
- Brief description of type of counselling provided
Fee: $50 + GST
SCSS does not provide psychological assessment reports or Statutory Declarations. If you need a psychological assessment report, please consult your GP for referral to a Registered Psychologist.
What qualifications does your Counsellor or Supervisor have?
Your SCSS Practitioner is a qualified professional.
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- Your SCSS Counsellor is registered with the Australian Counselling Association (ACA)
- Your SCSS Supervisor is registered with the ACA College of Supervisors
What is our cancellation policy?
Please refer to our full Cancellation Policy under our Policies webpage
How is my personal information handled?
Your information is managed in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988.
We follow strict confidentiality practices to ensure your personal and sensitive information is securely stored and handled.
For full details, please refer to our Privacy Policy under our Policies webpage.
How can I provide feedback?
We welcome your feedback.
You can email us with the subject line “Feedback” to share your experience or suggestions.
Please let us know if you consent to your feedback being shared as a testimonial.
What are the counselling fees of SCSS?
- Free 15-minute introductory consultation
- Individual (55 min): $130 + GST ($143)
- Couples (55 min): $160 + GST ($176)
- Family (55 min): $160 + GST ($176)
- Couples (85 min): $210 + GST ($231)
- Family (85 min): $210 + GST ($231)
- EAP clients: Fee is covered by your Employer
- NDIS participants are billed at the current NDIS price guide rate. This is covered by your NDIS funding for Therapeutic Supports (0128), provided sufficient funding is available in your plan there is no personal out-of-pocket expense for the funded support.
What are the Clinical Supervision fees of SCSS?
What are the clinical supervision fees?
- Individual Supervision (55 min): $140 + GST ($154)
- Group Supervision (Up to 115 min): $80 + GST ($88)
- Note: The group supervision fee of $88 remains the same, provided there are 2 or more supervisees; however, based on the number of attendees, the length of the session will be adjusted. That is, to ensure a high-quality clinical dynamic, groups require a minimum of 2 participants.
- The duration is scaled to ensure everyone has adequate time to present:
- 2–3 Participants: 85 minutes
- 4–6 Participants: 115 minutes
Group Supervision – Register Your Interest
We are currently accepting expressions of interest for our upcoming group supervision sessions. Please note: All sessions are subject to a minimum number of registrations to proceed.
Please Contact Us to register your interest in one of these sessions:
- 2nd Wednesday of the month: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
- 2nd Wednesday of the month: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
- 2nd Thursday of the month: 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
How it works:
Once a minimum of three supervisees have registered interest for a specific slot, we will contact you to confirm the official start date and open formal bookings.
What if I am the only person registered for a confirmed session?
In the event that only one person is registered 24 hours prior to a scheduled session, we will contact you to offer either a full refund/credit or the option to convert the booking into a 55-minute Individual Session by paying the remaining balance of the individual rate.
What are the Non-Clinical Supervision fees of SCSS?
- Individual Supervision (55 min): $150 + GST ($165)
Note: There is no Non-Clinical Group Supervision available
How do I pay for my session?
- Private clients: Payment required upfront via direct bank transfer or online booking system
- EAP clients: No upfront payment required
- NDIS Participants: Payment is handled based on how your plan is managed:
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- Self-Managed: We send you a tax invoice after the session for you to claim via the portal and pay us directly.
- Plan-Managed: We send the invoice directly to your Plan Manager for payment.
- NDIA-Managed (Agency Managed): We claim directly through the myplace portal after the session is delivered.
Note: Important Information Regarding Your NDIS Funding:
It is the participant’s responsibility to monitor their NDIS budget. If your funding for Therapeutic Support is exhausted or your plan expires, you will be responsible for the cost of any further sessions at our standard private rate. We encourage you to notify us immediately if there are any changes to your plan or funding status
Can you claim Medicare or Private Health Rebates?
Medicare: Please note that Medicare rebates are not currently available for our counselling services.
Private Health Insurance: If you have Private Health Insurance with extras cover, you may be eligible for a partial reimbursement for your counselling sessions. SCSS is currently registered with:
- Ahm
- ARHG (which includes funds like St Luke’s, Police Health, and Phoenix Health)
- Bupa
- HCF
- Medibank
How to Claim:
- Payment Process: Full payment is required upfront. Once your account is settled, we will provide you with an official receipt containing all necessary details (including our provider registration) for you to submit a claim to your insurer for your eligible rebate.
- Rebate Amounts: As rebates vary significantly based on your specific policy and annual limits, we recommend contacting your insurer to confirm your eligibility before your first session.