Frequently Asked Questions

You may ring or text Megan on 0416 131 745 or email her at meganhairepsychology@gmail.com to make an appointment. A referral is not necessary unless you intend to claim a Medicare rebate. After speaking with you to answer any questions you have, and confirming the suitability of telehealth, Megan will book an appointment and email you information and an electronic intake and consent form. Once your form is returned, you will receive an email containing a link to your confidential video session. Megan uses the Coviu video platform which is an encrypted, browser-based program, so you do not need to install any special software. You then open the link on your computer, smartphone or tablet at the time of your appointment. If your internet service is unreliable for video-streaming, you may prefer to book phone sessions instead. Please tell Megan if this is the case.

Megan may be unable to answer your call immediately, depending on her current appointments, so please leave a message and she will return your call as soon as possible. Due to the exponential increase in scam calls, Megan no longer responds to unknown numbers who do not leave a voicemail.

The first session is spent telling an overview of your story while Megan collects information about the issues that are challenging for you. Megan will collaborate with you to determine what areas you want help with, the best way to achieve your goals, and the likely time-frame for achieving them. During sessions, the video platform allows for the use of an electronic whiteboard, file sharing, and uploading of documents, so if there is anything you wish to share, such as medical conditions or names of medications relevant to your condition, please have them with you.

Payments can be made by direct deposit and Megan can process Medicare rebates electronically when payment is confirmed.

You do not need a MHCP or referral to see Megan. However, a MHCP entitles you to a Medicare rebate for up to 10 sessions per calendar year for psychological counselling under the Better Access program. To access Medicare rebates you need to ask your GP or psychiatrist to assess your eligibility and write a referral and MHCP to bring to your first appointment. The referral needs to be addressed either to Megan Haire or ‘The psychologist’, and must include the doctor’s provider number and signature, the number of sessions authorised, and the date, in order to be accepted by Medicare.

A GP may refer you under a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) for the following issues (among others):

Standard therapy sessions take between 45-50 minutes. The initial session is a little longer, at 70 mins. They are usually held once a week in the beginning, but may be spaced out over a fortnight or month as progress is made. Some people find that they need only one or a few sessions. Others may have more complex needs and require a longer time frame. There is no cap on the number of sessions you can have, but Medicare only provides rebates for up to 10 sessions in a calendar year. Private funds may cover a few rebates per year beyond those provided by Medicare if you have extras cover. For details, contact your fund.

No. Megan generally works with individuals on their personal difficulties. This may include discussions about their relationships or parenting concerns individually. Megan does not have facilities to assess and treat autism spectrum disorders or developmental and learning disorders.

There may be times when it is appropriate for a client to invite a support person to a session for the purpose of sharing information that helps them to support the therapy goals, for example in managing obsessive-compulsive disorder, agoraphobia or panic disorders. In these situations, there is still only one client qualified to receive a Medicare rebate. (Medicare does not cover couples or family therapy).

All personal information gathered during sessions will remain confidential except where:

• It is subpoenaed by a court
• Failure to disclose would place you or another person at serious and imminent risk of harm
• You disclose knowledge of the abuse of a minor by yourself or someone else
• You indicate an intention to commit a crime
• Your prior approval has been obtained to
  • provide a written report to another individual involved in your case (eg a GP)
  • discuss the material with another person (eg parent, spouse, employer)
• Please note:   Adolescents aged 14 and over may be able to access a mental health care plan and Medicare rebates in their own right, if a GP assesses them as being of sufficient maturity to provide informed consent. However, Megan does not treat adolescents and children. If contacted she would refer them to a more suitable service.Please call Kids Helpline if you are in crisis : 1800 551 800.

  NB: As a psychologist Megan is a mandatory reporter and is legally obliged to report child abuse, neglect and risk of harm to the Dept of Communities and Justice (DCJ) previously known as Dept of Family and Community Services (FACS).

Please Note:  Brief one page treatment reports may be provided to existing clients as required. Any report writing and file copying required to fulfill a subpoena will incur charges at the current APS recommended rates.