You don’t need a referral to see Ashlee for mental health support. Some people access sessions with a referral from a GP under a mental health care plan, or using their private health insurance, allowing them access to rebates that cover some of the session fees. Those without a mental health care plan or private health eligible sessions are charged the full-fee rate.

Ashlee currently offers appointments on Mondays and Thursdays during business hours (last appointment 4:30pm). Please call reception on 9372 9511 if you would like to schedule an appointment. Wait times for appointments vary depending on demand and other factors. Reception would be happy to answer any questions you might have.

It’s up to you. It is often helpful for parents, guardians, or caregivers to attend for part of the first session. We can then send them out of the room whenever you feel comfortable.

Everyone accesses mental health support for different reasons, and sessions will be different based on your reason for attending. Sessions are 50 minutes. In the first appointment, you will discuss confidentiality, consent, and your reasons for attending. You will often explore some background information about the problem and your current life and history. Based on this information, you will discuss a treatment plan and how many sessions might be needed to work on your concerns.

Sessions might focus on getting a better understanding of your presenting problem to help you process and move past its impact on your life. Alternatively, sessions might focus on developing and testing strategies to help improve well-being. The focus depends on what both you and Ashlee decide would be beneficial to work on.

All information provided in session is kept confidential according to privacy legislation. There are some limits to confidentiality where information provided might be disclosed to others, such as the following:

• You are at serious risk of harm to yourself, harm to another person/s, or if you are at serious risk of harm from another person.

• If Ashlee or her case notes are subpoenaed in relation to court orders or proceedings.

• If you provide consent for Ashlee to discuss your care with another person, such as a GP, psychiatrist, partner, or parent.

• If you disclose information about alleged or suspected child abuse.

Ashlee is unable to provide an emergency or crisis service. She may not check her emails or phone for a significant amount of time during business hours and does not check these outside of business hours or when on leave. If you are experiencing a crisis or emergency, there are alternative services you might instead consider, such as phoning 000 or presenting to the emergency department of your nearest hospital, phoning Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 or Lifeline on 13 11 14, or other services relevant to your situation and needs.