FAQs About Beginnings
Referral & Medicare
What are the fees for a session?
We can discuss fees when we talk in the sessions. It is negotiable based on your income, nature of the therapy, if you wish to engage in long-term therapy, and what you can afford to pay.
Medicare rebates or private insurance options can be used to reduce out-of-pocket cost.
If you have NDIS, TAC or WORKCOVER claims, we will discuss this option together when you book.
What should I ask my doctor to include in my Medicare referral?
Medicare Referrals
If you're seeing me under a Mental Health Care Plan, please ask your doctor to include the following in your referral letter: The date and their signature, a Medicare-recognised diagnosis, your full name (as listed on Medicare), date of birth, address, Medicare number, a brief summary of your current concerns and any past diagnoses, a list of current medications, the number of sessions requested (usually up to 6 initially, with a review for 4 more), and their provider number.
Bringing a referral means you consent to your psychologist sharing brief updates with your GP, as required by Medicare.
A gap fee applies. Concession rates are available for students and part-time workers. Fees vary depending on the service feel free to contact the practice to discuss options.
What does Medicare give as rebate?
Psychotherapy & Fees
Medicare offers a rebate of $96.65 for up to six sessions to help people begin therapy, but real change often takes time. In therapy, the pace and duration are driven by what emerges in your speech, dreams etc.
Fees vary depending on the service, and a valid referral from your GP is needed for Medicare rebates. If you’re a student, work part-time, or your situation changes over time, we can also talk about the fee. Therapy is a long-term commitment, and so is my commitment to making therapy affordable and possible.
Can I use private health insurance?
If you have coverage, yes. Session fees are settled at the time of each session, and receipts will be provided afterward. Your insurance provider can inform you about your psychology / therapy coverage. Reimbursement is determined by your own insurer.
How will my private information be handled, and how should I reach you for inquiries?
All electronic data and information will be handled according to the Australian government regulations, Business Victoria standards, and best practice guidelines for private practice psychologists and psychologist in Hawthorn and psychologist in Belgrave. You can find more information about my privacy practices. I'd be happy to answer your questions.
Do you offer fee considerations for students or individuals with low income?
If you are a full-time student working part-time or casually, or hold a concession or pension card, please feel free to discuss your circumstances with me.
Sessions
What kinds of therapy do you offer, and how do you work?
I've been trained in a range of therapeutic approaches, including psychoanalysis, psychodynamic psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and play therapy for children.
I’ve completed over a decade of clinical psychoanalytic training and continue to deepen this work through ongoing study and involvement with an international psychoanalytic school.
My clinical work is supported by regular supervision with a senior analyst and former director of the EPFCL, and shaped by many years of personal analysis working within this mode of therapy.
You can read more about my qualifications, research, and areas of work.
What if something comes up at the time of my session?
Session Times & Changes
Having a regular session time helps support the rhythm of the work and allows you to plan around it. If we’ve agreed on a set frequency (e.g., twice a week), keeping to this supports the therapy.
If something comes up, like travel or childcare please let me know so we can talk it through. We may be able to reschedule within the same week or meet online (subject to availability).
Missed sessions are charged. For illness-related absences, please see the FAQ.
This structure helps maintain continuity and offers space to explore any disruptions that arise along the way as meaningful, collaborative and part of the work.
I'm sick, what should I do about my session?
If you're sick, we may arrange a video session. If you're too sick to meet, let me know and we may be able to reschedule within the same week. Disruptions often have therapeutic significance and are talked through as part of the therapy. Missed sessions are charged at the usual fee.
How long is each session?
Therapy follows the variable-lenght session model. Medicare recognises both short and long sessions, and the duration is thoughtfully tailored to the clinical needs of the work.
In our work, the value of a variable-length session is part of the therapy. The unconscious doesn’t follow clock time, and sometimes a moment of insight or shift calls for us to end the session at just the right point. We'll always pick up where we left off, or what comes to mind for you in the moment.
Can I attend sessions online?
For patients outside of Melbourne, online sessions may be arranged if clinically appropriate and discussed.
Online Session Checklist:
Before the Session:
Choose a quiet, private space.
Test microphone, camera, and internet connection.
Silence your phone and notifications.
Have your video link ready.
During the Session:
Sit in a stable chair with your face visible.
Place your device on a stable surface.
Engage with the same presence as an in-person session.
After the Session:
Take a moment before re-engaging with your day.
Don’t record or take notes.
Make payment after the session.
If the session is not conducted in a private or suitable setting, it will be canceled and the fee will apply.
Read More About Privacy
Information for GPs & Allied Professionals
Can psychoanalysis help with mental health?
Psychoanalysis can be helpful for addressing a range of mental health concerns, including anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship issues, and identity struggles. It is particularly effective for individuals seeking to speak about long-standing or unresolved conflicts that appear as behavioural and emoitonal disturbances.
How is psychoanalysis different from therapy or counselling?
While both psychoanalysis/psychoanalytic psychotherapy and counseling aim to support well-being by talking, psychoanalysis focuses on the unconscious and past experiences that influence present behavior and every day life. Counseling typically addresses present-day issues using standardised strategies, while psychoanalytic therapy involves transference, requiring the therapist to have undergone extensive personal analysis and specialised psychoanalytic training.
As a doctor, how can I arrange a child or adult referral to Bita Psychology?
As a GP, you can arrange a referral to Bita Psychology by providing the patient with a valid referral letter and a Mental Health Care Plan. Please ensure the letter includes the patient's details, presenting concerns, and any relevant clinical history. Patients can then bring this referral to their appointment or submit it when booking online. For further assistance, feel free to contact Bita Psychology directly. Contact Bita.
TAC, Workcover, VOCAT, NDIS
Are you a provider for TAC and Workcover?
Yes, I can indicate my provider number if you contact me directly: bitariazati[at]pm.me. Please include the client claim number in the subject line and specify whether it is TAC or WorkCover, along with the number of funded sessions. Be sure to attach a copy of the psychology sessions approval letter.
Are you a provider for NDIS?
No, I am not a registered provider. However, I can offer services and invoice the plan manager directly. The plan manager can email me at bitariazati[at]pm.me, including the client number and the number of funded psychology sessions.
Are you familiar with VOCAT and can you do an assessment and write a report?
Yes, I am familiar with the VOCAT process and have experience writing reports. Solicitors can email me at bitariazati[at]pm.me with the patient’s contact details. Please advise the client to obtain a GP referral letter as this will enable communication with the doctor if needed to support the client.