Initial appointment availability
My books are currently closed to new clients and a wait list is unavailable. A list of therapist directories and alternate support services is provided on the Resources page.
Appointment enquiries, bookings, and cancellations
I welcome self-referred clients, as well as clients referred by their GP, psychiatrist, or allied health professional. I also welcome referrals through third party-funders supporting health practitioners, emergency services workers, victims of crime in the ACT, and current and former members of the Australian Defence Force.
Note that for contractual reasons, I’m unable to offer private practice appointments to clients who have consulted with me at the University of Melbourne or Thorne Harbour Health.
To enquire about booking an initial appointment (when my books are open), you can contact me on 0411 044 459 or info@danielcostin.com. There may be a delay before I receive and respond to your enquiry due to my part-time office hours.
Current and former clients can book a return appointment through my online booking system. If there’s no suitable times available, get in touch and I’ll put you on the wait list.
To cancel an appointment, click on the link in your appointment confirmation email then re-book online when you’re ready.
Please aim to provide at least 48 hours notice if you need to cancel an appointment. A service fee (25% of the consultation fee) applies for non-attendance and appointments that are cancelled with 0-24 hours notice.
Fees, payments, and claims
Fees
For self-funded clients, the fee for a standard initial/return consultation is $252, and a concession rate of $210 is offered to full-time students and holders of a concession or Health Care Card.
Medicare rebates
A Medicare rebate of $131.65 is available on up to 10 sessions per calendar year for clients referred by their GP with a Mental Health Treatment Plan under the Better Access initiative.
Out of pocket cost
Following payment of your upfront fee and receipt of your Medicare rebate, the out of pocket cost would be:
Initial/return consultation: $120.35
Concession: $78.35
Further information
Services billed to third party funders are charged according to the Australian Psychological Society National Schedule of Recommended Fees, unless otherwise arranged.
Fees are subject to change and are typically increased by a few dollars at the beginning of each financial year.
Fees are due at the end of your consultation and are payable by Visa or Mastercard.
If you are eligible for a Medicare rebate, I can process a patient claim through my practice management software on your behalf following the receipt of your consultation fee. The rebate will be paid into the bank account that you have registered with Medicare.
If you are not eligible for a Medicare benefit and intend to lodge a claim for a private health insurance rebate through your insurer, let me know and I’ll issue your invoice with a HICAPS item number.
Note that I don’t offer private health insurer rebate processing within my clinic – you’ll need to submit the claim directly to your insurer following payment of your consultation fee.
Preparing for your initial appointment
In preparation for your initial appointment please check your inbox for an appointment confirmation email. It will contain all the details you need.
The appointment confirmation email will also contain a link to an online New Client Form. Please complete this ahead of your appointment to help me prepare.
I’ll also need a copy of any referral documents ahead of our appointment. You can email these through to info@danielcostin.com.
In-person appointments are offered on Wednesday afternoons at the consulting room that I rent through Lygon Therapy in Parkville.
Address
The building is called “Elie” and the address is 27 Royal Parade, Parkville.
Parking
Parking is limited to a small number of 2-hour spaces on Royal Parade and the surrounding backstreets.
Arriving
To minimise cross-over with other clients, please arrive for your appointment just a few minutes before the scheduled start time (rather than early).
There’s no reception services at the Parkville Clinic. To enter the building, ring the door bell or contact me on my mobile and I’ll come to the door to greet you and let you in.
Accessibility
My usual consulting room is located on the upper level and accessed via a flight of stairs. However, an alternate wheelchair accessible consulting room (and bathroom) is available on the ground floor and can be booked ahead of time on request.
Further information and photos
Check out the Lygon Therapy website for further information and photos.
Please read this guide in preparation for your telehealth appointment:
https://help.cliniko.com/en/articles/3843932-telehealth-a-guide-for-patients
Your personal information is securely held on an online practice management software called Cliniko.
My administrative assistant has access to your basic client details, referral documents, intake forms, and other service-related information pertaining to appointments, invoicing, payments, and communications sent/received through Cliniko. Access to more sensitive personal information, such as treatment notes and other clinical documents, is restricted to me and my practice manager.
Your personal information will be held in confidence and not be disclosed without your consent except when:
(a) it is subpoenaed by a court;
(b) failure to disclose the information would, in our reasonable belief, place you or another person at serious risk to life, health, or safety;
(c) your approval has been obtained to: i. provide a written report to another professional or agency, or ii. discuss the material with another person, or iii. disclose the information in another way;
(d) you would reasonably expect your personal information to be disclosed to another professional or agency and disclosure of your personal information to that third party is for a purpose which is directly related to the primary purpose for which your personal information was collected; or
(e) disclosure is otherwise required or authorised by law.
Note that psychologists are listed as mandated reporters, which means that they must make a report to child protection agencies, if in the course of practising their profession or carrying out duties of their office, position or employment, they form a belief on reasonable grounds that a child is in need of protection from physical injury or sexual abuse.
Privacy Policy
I’m in the process of updating my privacy policy. A link to the new policy will be posted here in the coming weeks. In the meantime, please do get in touch if you have any questions or concerns.
Assistance and support between appointments
I work part-time and am unable to provide frequent or extensive administrative assistance, mental health support, or advocacy between appointments.
A list of additional support services is provided on the Resources page.
