Our online therapy is delivered by experienced online psychologists in Australia through secure telehealth sessions using video or audio connections. At Positive Wellbeing Psychology, our dedicated team of Melbourne-based online psychologists at our Armadale psychology practice are committed to helping you create an ideal telehealth psychology environment for your sessions. We provide warm, compassionate care, offering flexible online psychology services that allow you to engage in psychotherapy from the comfort and privacy of your chosen setting—whether that’s your home, workplace, or another safe space.
How Effective Is Online Psychology with an AHPRA-Registered Psychologist?
As psychologists in clinical practice, we are often asked how speaking to an online psychologist in Australia via a telehealth psychology platform compares to traditional in-person or face-to-face therapy. Below, we’ve outlined key research findings to help you make an informed decision about what’s best for your individual mental health needs. With increasing demand for flexible, accessible support, psychology online has become a highly effective and valuable option for many Australians seeking professional care from the comfort of their home or workplace.
Is Online Therapy with a Psychologist Effective in Australia?
Research findings suggest that online therapy (via phone and/or video connection) conducted by registered psychologists (general registered or clinical psychologists) is similar in effectiveness and outcome to more traditional face-to-face or in-person therapy sessions with a psychologist. Interestingly, some studies even suggest that certain clients find online therapy in Australia more comfortable with it shown to help alleviate feelings of shame and embarrassment when addressing challenging issues (Simpson & Read, 2014).
Specifically, research highlights that the crucial therapeutic relationship, known as the working alliance between the client and psychologist, can be effectively established during online therapy sessions (Backhaus et al., 2012).
In a systematic review conducted by Cook and Doyle in 2015, it was suggested that video consultations are effective in various therapeutic formats and with diverse client populations. Telehealth has been associated with high user satisfaction and demonstrates similar clinical outcomes to traditional face-to-face psychotherapy.
Drawing from these research findings, it is evident that online psychological support can be as effective as in-person therapy sessions. At Positive Wellbeing Psychology, we recognise the importance of tailoring our therapeutic approach to individual preferences and beliefs, ensuring that our clients receive the support that aligns with their unique needs.
Can I Claim a Medicare Rebate for Online Psychologist Sessions in Australia?
Accessing Medicare rebates for online counselling in Australia is possible with a referral and a mental health treatment plan from your GP. It is recommended to speak with your GP first, as they can provide a referral that allows you to claim a Medicare rebate for up to 10 sessions with a registered clinical psychologist or counsellor. These sessions can be delivered either face-to-face or through online counselling or telehealth psychology, giving you flexible access to professional support.
If you are self-managed or plan-managed under the NDIS, you may also be eligible for funded psychological services with one of our mental health professionals through our online platform. For more information on how to access online therapy for various mental health conditions anywhere in Australia, please visit our dedicated FAQ. This section covers everything you need to know about accessing online therapy with a psychologist using a telehealth platform in Australia.
Who Can Benefit from Online Therapy in Australia?
At Positive Wellbeing Psychology, our online psychology services can offer support for a wide range of challenges. These services provide a safe space where you can work with a warm and compassionate psychologist towards targeting individual therapy goals. These may include support for low self-esteem, psychological support under the NDIS, navigating life transitions or adjustment difficulties, and exploring mindfulness techniques to manage stress.
In addition, our online psychologists also help with mental health issues including obsessive-compulsive behaviours or OCD, personality disorders, trauma (including developmental trauma treatment), autism, and ADHD. Whether you’re struggling with a binge eating disorder, life’s challenges, or other mental health concerns, online therapy can offer the support you need. If services are in high demand at our Melbourne psychology practice, there may be a waitlist, but our mission is always to provide timely and effective care.
Telehealth, as a mode of therapy, has been embraced to eliminate barriers for all Australians and empower individuals to seek positive changes in their lives.
Why Is Online Psychology a Popular Choice in Australia?
Today, telehealth psychology is still utilised for individuals who wake up with a headache, a slightly runny nose, or feel a cold coming on— online psychology, also known as telehealth psychology, continues to contribute to our collective mental health well-being.
Online psychology utilising telehealth is a valuable resource that provides you with flexibility and convenience. Speaking to a psychologist online has been a valuable option for individuals with a busy schedule who require support with the benefit of receiving psychological support from the comfort of your own home. Pre-COVID-19, Medicare previously reserved rebates for in-person visits only, however, you can now access Medicare rebates with a GP referral and mental health care plan for up to 10 online psychology sessions per calendar year.
This was a valuable scheme that was brought in as part of the COVID-19 safety measures to help reduce the risk. The online telehealth psychology conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic played an important role in helping us to continue supporting our community whilst still helping to reduce the risk of virus transmission. Our responsibilities as psychologists extend to assessing the risk of harm to both our clients and others. By utilising telehealth, we’ve been able to implement additional safety measures to minimise the potential exposure to the virus.
In addition, it’s not uncommon for individuals to face challenges when prioritising their mental health consultations. Factors such as long working hours, shift work, childcare responsibilities, busy lifestyles, geographical constraints, or simply the desire for a more convenient and private experience can make it difficult to attend in-person sessions.
How Do I Prepare for an Telehealth Psychology Session at Home?
1. Selecting the Right Device:
Choosing the most suitable technology for telehealth psychology is crucial for a seamless experience. We highly recommend using laptops or iPads due to their flexibility and ease of positioning.
2. Optimal Positioning:
Proper device placement significantly impacts comfort and the telehealth psychology session’s ambience. Factors such as lighting, background, and the need for a table or floor space should be considered. To enhance your comfort, have a small table nearby with a warm beverage like tea or coffee. If you ever feel distracted during the session, holding a warm cup can help ground you. Ensure good lighting for clear visibility. Don’t forget to assess the background, as it may be visible to the psychologist.
3. Choosing the Right Location:
There is so much benefit from speaking to an online psychologist from the comfort of your home, however, identifying the best-suited location with privacy is super important, this might mean arranging a private room at school, work, or a community space. Regardless of your choice, ensure minimal disruptions during the session. It’s advisable to inform your partner, children, or colleagues that you’ll be on a private or important call. You can always ask your psychologist in your first appointment should you be unsure.
4. Preparation is Key:
While Positive Wellbeing Psychology will ensure you feel comfortable and ready for your first session telehealth psychology well in advance, we recommend a few things to help you feel more prepared before your first session. Consider any resources you might need, such as paper, or subsequent sessions your psychologist may assign activities to complete such as CBT thought diaries, food monitoring records, therapy worksheets, or journals for between-session tasks. Having these on hand is super helpful!
5. Handling Technical Challenges:
Though rare with our experienced psychologists, technical difficulties can occur for all online counselling services, despite our strong Wi-Fi connections. If a video conference drops out, rest assured that your psychologist at Positive Wellbeing Psychology will ensure the session proceeds smoothly. In such cases, you will receive a phone call on your mobile number via a private number. Our mission is to ensure that all mental health support provided by our online psychologists is easy to access, providing solutions and answering any questions to help reduce worry, providing high-quality telehealth services wherever you are – regardless of your geographical location within Australia.
6. Use of Digital Resources
Telehealth via video allows our psychologists to utilise digital resources during the session. Through screen sharing, we can easily share PDFs, videos, apps, and webpages on your screen. If you are a visual learner, feel free to ask your psychologist to screen-share during your session. Our clients have provided positive feedback on this functionality and find it valuable during their sessions.
7. Minimising Disturbances:
Select an environment for your telehealth consultation where distractions and interruptions are unlikely. It’s essential to avoid distractions from children or others requiring attention during the therapy session. Remember to turn off phones and any other devices not needed for therapy. If you anticipate potential interruptions, openly discuss your concerns and plan with your psychologist on how to address such situations.
8. Make Time Afterwards:
Plan for some brief quiet time after each telehealth psychology session before returning to your regular activities. For children or young individuals, psychologists will consider the potential presence of an adult, parent, or caregiver and manage the child’s privacy. This may involve a discussion with the young person and their parent or caregiver during the initial session, where confidentiality limitations will also be addressed.
Online Psychologists in Australia
FAQ
What is an online psychologist and how does online therapy work in Australia?
An online psychologist in Australia is a registered psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)—the national organisation responsible for regulating health practitioners in partnership with the National Boards. AHPRA ensures that psychologists are suitably trained, qualified, and safe to practise, giving clients peace of mind when accessing mental health support.
At Positive Wellbeing Psychology, our Melbourne psychologists provide online therapy sessions to clients across Australia. Therapy is delivered via secure video or phone and offers the same standard of care as in-person sessions. All interventions are evidence-based, and sessions are designed to be accessible, flexible, and conducted in the comfort and privacy of your own home.
Can I access an online psychologist in Melbourne if I live elsewhere in Australia?
Yes. While our clinic is located in Armadale, Melbourne, we provide telehealth psychology services to clients across Australia. Whether you live in a rural area, interstate, or simply prefer the convenience of online therapy, you can access professional psychological support from our experienced Melbourne psychologists no matter where you are.
Is online therapy as effective as in-person sessions?
Yes. Research has shown that telehealth psychology and online therapy is equally effective as face-to-face sessions for most mental health concerns including anxiety, depression, stress, burnout, and adjustment difficulties.
How do I book an appointment with an online psychologist in Melbourne?
Booking a session with an online psychologist in Melbourne or for telehealth psychology is easy through our secure online booking portal. You can also contact our friendly admin team for personalised assistance. We offer flexible appointment times including after-hours and weekends to accommodate your schedule.
Are online psychologist sessions in Australia covered by Medicare?
Yes. Eligible clients with a valid Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) can claim Medicare rebates for telehealth psychology sessions. All psychologists at Positive Wellbeing Psychology are registered with AHPRA, ensuring you can access Medicare rebates for both in-person and online psychological care anywhere in Australia.
How Positive Wellbeing Psychology Can Help?
At Positive Wellbeing Psychology, you can speak with an experienced online psychologist in Australia trained in evidence-based approaches including cognitive-behavioural therapy.
Individuals utilise telehealth with an experienced psychologist for anxiety treatment, symptoms of depression, stress management, ADHD assessments, as well as adjustment to life changes.
Make an Appointment
At Positive Wellbeing Psychology, our Melbourne psychology practice offers both in-person sessions and online counselling in Melbourne. Our flexible appointment times and online enquiry system allow you to begin your therapy journey after being matched with the best Melbourne psychologist for your individual needs. Should we not be able to assist, we also provide external recommendations.
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. Our clinical practice is grounded in evidence-based treatment approaches, with appointments available with an online psychologist anywhere in Australia. We provide comprehensive online therapy in Australia, making it easy for you to connect with our skilled online psychologists in Australia. Whether you are looking for an online psychologist in Melbourne or a therapist online, our mental health services are designed to offer convenient and effective care tailored to your unique needs.