How do I book an appointment with a psychologist in Melbourne?
You can easily book an appointment with one of our psychologists in Melbourne at Positive Wellbeing Psychology by completing our online enquiry form. We offer flexible sessions both in-person with our Melbourne psychologists and through our online psychologist Australia service, which allows you to access support from anywhere.
Our Clinic Director, Emily Burton, personally reviews every enquiry and carefully matches you with one of our experienced psychologists in Melbourne or online, based on your specific needs and therapy goals. This is why we ask for details about your main concerns. Whether you prefer in-person sessions or the convenience of accessing therapy from home, our online psychologist Australia team is here to support you.
If you are ready to connect with a psychologist from our Melbourne-based team, please submit your enquiry here.
What is the waiting period for an initial appointment with a psychologist in Melbourne?
Appointments with our psychologists in Melbourne are generally available within 7 days for daytime sessions. After-hours appointments are usually offered within 7 to 14 days, subject to availability. Occasionally, same-day appointments can be arranged upon request.
If you prefer to be seen as soon as possible, you may request the earliest available appointment and ask to be added to our cancellation list. Clients on the list are typically contacted with 24 to 72 hours’ notice for earlier openings. When you complete your online enquiry, please provide your availability preferences to help us best meet your needs.
At your first appointment, your psychologist will discuss recommended session frequency based on your therapy goals. This will vary for each individual but our psychologists often find weekly sessions are best to start with initially as this helps to build momentum in the early stages, and supports optimal outcomes. After your second or third session, you may be recommended by your psychologist to adjust to fortnightly sessions.
To maintain continuity and reduce wait times, we support you to reserve appointments after your initial appointment with a psychologist, usually in an initial set of 6 – 10 sessions.
What should I expect in the initial appointment with a psychologist?
Whether you’re meeting in person at our Armadale consulting rooms, or engaging with our online psychologist Australia services, your first session is designed to make you feel safe, supported, and heard.Your initial session with one of our psychologists will offer a warm, supportive environment aimed to make you feel safe and understood.
Many of our clients describe each psychologist as easy to talk to, helping to encourage trust and forthright communication which is paramount to establishing sound therapeutic alliance early on in therapy. This is important as the therapeutic alliance has been shown in research to be the factor that predicts best clinical outcome.
In the initial appointment with your psychologist, you can expect your psychologist will introduce themselves and explain confidentiality guidelines, including legal exceptions such as duty of care or court orders. They may ask about any pending legal issues to fully understand your situation. This is standard but we call it “house-keeping” and you are welcome to ask any questions around this.
During the initial session, you will be invited to:
- Share what brought you to therapy
- Explore your personal and treatment history
- Ask any questions about the therapy process
- Share what has worked and not worked in the past
Your psychologist will explain the therapy structure and evidence-based approaches tailored to your needs. Together, you’ll set therapy goals and discuss a personalised treatment plan. Your psychologist will usually recommend an appointment the following week and then continue weekly or move to fortnightly depending on the goals and treatment approach discussed. The session typically concludes with a kind self-care suggestion to encourage your wellbeing following this important first step.
If you’re ready to get started, you can send your enquiry in under 2 minutes today to get started with a Melbourne psychologist, or connect with our online psychologist Australia team today.
How often will I need to attend sessions with a psychologist?
We offer both brief, solution-focused therapy and longer-term support, depending on your individual therapy goals and clinical needs. This will depend on the therapy goals and treatment approach discussed in your initial appointment. It will also depend on the presenting concerns and the severity of symptoms, along with the impact on day-to-day life.
The frequency recommended may start with weekly and progress to fortnightly. However, it depends on a number of factors, as in certain instances such as eating disorder treatment, the recommended approach would be CBT-E and weekly sessions are required. This would be due to the medical monitoring and risk involved with eating disorders; therefore, your psychologist will considerations a number of factors when providing their recommended frequency based on your individual needs.
It is important to highlight that progress is reviewed collaboratively around the sixth session to guide next steps. Frequency may change over time, or in certain instances, become more frequent pending your individual needs. The frequency and number of sessions may vary and depend on factors such as:
- Your current support network and professional team
- Coping strategies and skills
- Engagement level during and outside sessions
- Motivation for change
- Complexity of your concerns
Weekly sessions at the start are often recommended to build momentum, with the option to transition to fortnightly or monthly appointments based on your progress.
How long is each consultation with a psychologist?
Each consultation with a psychologist is 50 minutes. However, a minimum of 10 minutes are used by your psychologist to complete clinical notes and treatment planning. Treatment planning conducted by your psychologist occurs behind the scenes as your psychologist will dedicate many hours outside of session to ensure you are receiving the best possible care. Your psychologist will also provide GP letters when required and to comply with Medicare should you provide a Mental Health Treatment Plan.
What should I do if I need immediate support and want to speak to a psychologist?
Positive Wellbeing Psychology is not a crisis service.
If you or someone else is in immediate danger or at risk, please call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
If you need urgent mental health support, contact:
- Lifeline: 13 11 14 (24/7 crisis support)
- Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
- Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467
For more information on immediate support services and helplines, please click here.
Make an Appointment
At Positive Wellbeing Psychology, we offer flexible appointments with our psychologists during the day, evening, or weekends, both in-person at our Melbourne psychology practice or online via telehealth.
Our team of psychologists hold full registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and adhere to ethical guidelines as mandated by the Psychologists Registration Board and the Australian Psychological Society. Speak with a psychologist in Melbourne today. Individuals in Melbourne can access a wide range of experienced psychologists offering therapy for various mental health concerns. If you’re considering the cost of seeing a psychologist in Melbourne, factors such as location, specialisation, and type of therapy all play a role. For greater flexibility, our online psychologist Australia services allow you to access professional support from anywhere — making therapy more convenient and accessible no matter where you live.