How does it work?

The aim of video therapy is to provide you with a psychological consultation in the same way as attending a physical appointment.

Through Skype or FaceTime you will be able interact with the therapist in much the same way as when you attend a consulting room. Instead of arriving for an appointment, you simply call the therapist online.

Who is this useful for?

Video therapy is convenient for people that have difficulty travelling to appointments either through distance, mobility problems, childcare commitments or a busy work schedule. It is also considerably more affordable than attending a consulting room.

Common psychological presentations such as depression, worry, stress, anger, relationships and sexual concerns can all be worked with through video therapy. Research has shown that video therapy can be particularly useful where feelings of shame or embarrassment make it difficult for a person to attend appointments in consulting rooms. Couple therapy is possible if you can set up your camera in such a way that both of you are visible and able to interact with the therapist.

What kind of presentations would not be appropriate for video therapy?

Video therapy is not appropriate where a person’s life may be in danger through suicide, or where there are concerns about the well being of a child under the age of 16. Severe and enduring presentations that require a multidisciplinary team approach such as psychosis or anorexia are not appropriate for video therapy. Bipolar disorder is only manageable by video therapy if the person is also engaged with a psychiatrist and compliant with medication.

What will you need for video therapy?

You will need Internet broadband and a computer with camera and audio. Smart phones and tablets can also be used. The quality of the call will depend on the device and the speed of your Internet connection.

Skype is a free software application, which you can download on your PC, tablet and smartphone. FaceTime is an Apple application, similar to Skype; it allows you to make free video calls through Wi-Fi on your Mac, iPad or iPhone.

You will also need to have a private space where you will not be disturbed during your 50-minute consultation. Access to a scanner is useful for completing and returning questionnaires and between therapy tasks, but this is not essential.

How do I pay for video therapy?

Fees can be paid by Australian bank transfer, debit / credit card, or PayPal. The standard fee for a 50-minute consultation is $180 AUD. 

Clients in Australia can claim a rebate from Medicare of $141.85 per session for 10 sessions per year with a current GP Mental Health Care Plan. Bulk-billing is available for a limited number of low-income clients.

What if something goes wrong?

If you need to cancel your appointment, please give 24-hours notice. If you have already transferred the funds you will be refunded the fees (less any payment platform charges) if you cancel on time. You can reschedule your appointment up to 4 hours prior to the start of the appointment time. If you are late, your session will still need to end on time so that the therapist is not late for other clients. 

If there is a technical difficulty either at your end or with the Skype Clinic, either through a poor connection or absence of Internet service, you will be refunded or given the option to reschedule to another time.