What to expect in your first psychology session

Your first session is a conversation. You talk. Your practitioner listens and asks questions. Before you log off, you both agree what comes next. This guide takes you through a first psychology session at PsyAus Health by video or phone. It starts with choosing your practitioner and ends with the step you agree.

What happens in a first psychology session?

A first psychology session is a live conversation with your practitioner by video or phone. Your practitioner asks what brought you here, a little about your history and what you want help with. You decide how much to share. Before you log off, you and your practitioner agree your next step together.

Do you need a GP referral for a first session?

You do not need a referral to book. You can choose a practitioner and book a time straight away. A Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP only matters if you want to claim a Medicare rebate on psychology sessions. To claim a rebate, get the plan before your session.

How do you choose a practitioner?

You choose your practitioner yourself, before you book. Each profile lists their training, the areas they work in, how they run sessions and their next available times. Pick the person whose profile fits what you want to work on. Then book a time that suits you.

You can see a psychologist or a counsellor. A psychologist is a registered health practitioner. Medicare rebates may apply to psychology sessions with a plan. A counsellor offers talk-based support for stress, grief and life changes. Counselling has no Medicare rebate. healthdirect sets out how mental health professionals differ.

Still unsure who suits you? Send us a question. We aim to reply within one business day.

How long is a first psychology session?

A standard session with a general psychologist runs 50 minutes. A short session with a general psychologist runs 20 minutes. A counselling session runs 50 minutes. Check the length on your booking before you log on. Then you know how much time you have to talk and ask questions.

How do you prepare for a first session?

Sort out four things before you log on: your fee, your space, your device and a few notes. Each one takes a few minutes.

When do you see your fee?

You see your fee before you book. Your fee and any Medicare rebate come to you in writing. Claiming a rebate? Have your Medicare card and your treatment plan ready. The fees page lists every session price.

Where should you sit for the session?

Pick a spot where no one can hear you or walk in. A bedroom with the door shut works. So does a parked car. Headphones keep your side of the conversation private. Keep water and tissues close.

How do you check your device?

Charge your phone or laptop first. Test your camera, microphone and internet ten minutes early. Turn off notifications so nothing pulls your attention. Keep your phone close in case the video drops out. How telehealth works covers the rest of the set-up.

What should you write down beforehand?

You do not need a speech. Four short notes are enough:

• what has been happening for you lately
• one thing you might forget to say
• your questions about fees, timing or approach
• what you would most like to change

Finding it hard to start? Say so. That is a fine way to open.

What does a practitioner ask in a first session?

Your practitioner asks questions to understand what is going on for you. Most first sessions cover what brought you here, how it affects your days and what you want to change. There are no right answers. You can say “I’d rather not answer that yet” at any point.

Questions you might hear include:

• What has been happening, and for how long?
• How is it affecting your sleep and work?
• What have you tried, and what has helped?
• What would you most like to be different?

Some practitioners also use a short questionnaire in a first session. You can always ask why a question matters.

Who sets the pace in the session?

You set the pace. You choose what to talk about and how much to share. If a topic feels like too much, you can pause, change the subject or come back to it later. Silence is fine too. It can take a moment to find the words.

What stays confidential in a psychology session?

What you share in a session is confidential. Your practitioner keeps your information private. The law allows a few exceptions, such as a serious risk of harm to you or someone else, or a court order. Practitioners usually explain these limits in a first session, before you share anything personal.

At the start of a telehealth session, a practitioner often confirms where you are joining from. That tells them where to find local help if it is ever needed. Our privacy policy sets out how PsyAus Health handles your information.

How does a first psychology session end?

A first session ends with your next step. Before you log off, you and your practitioner agree what happens next. That might be more sessions, a different kind of support or no further sessions for now. Use the last few minutes for your questions. How often would we meet? What would we work on? What will it cost?

What can happen after your first session?

A first session usually leads to one of three paths. You book more sessions with the same practitioner. You agree to see another service, such as your GP. Or you decide you need no further sessions right now. Each path is a clear next step, and you choose it together.

You can pause or stop sessions at any time. If the fit does not feel right, choose a different practitioner from the profiles and book with them.

How much does a first psychology session cost?

A standard 50-minute session with a general psychologist costs $210. With a Mental Health Treatment Plan, a $101.55 Medicare rebate may apply, which leaves $108.45. A short 20-minute session costs $95, or $23 after a $72 rebate. A 50-minute counselling session costs $140, with no Medicare rebate.

Session	Fee	After a Medicare rebate, if eligible
Psychologist, 50 minutes	$210	$108.45
Psychologist, 20 minutes	$95	$23
Counsellor, 50 minutes	$140	None

You can pay by card or with Afterpay in four instalments.

Does Medicare cover your first session?

Medicare rebates may apply to eligible psychology sessions. You need a Mental Health Treatment Plan from your usual GP or MyMedicare practice. This rule started on 1 November 2025. With a plan, you may claim up to 10 individual sessions each calendar year. Counselling sessions have no rebate.

A video session of 50 minutes or more with a general psychologist uses Medicare item 91170. A video session of 20 to 50 minutes uses item 91169. Our guide to how Medicare rebates for psychology work explains the plan step by step.

How do you book your first session?

Read the profiles and choose your practitioner. Check your fee in writing, then pick a time that suits you. Want to ask something first? Send us a question. We aim to reply within one business day.

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