Question 1

Do I need a GP referral?

Accepted Answer

You are able to see any clinician without a referral. However if you want to access the Medicare rebate you will need a GP referral and a Mental Health Care Plan. You may also attain a referral from your psychiatrist or paediatrician. For in person groups you will need a referral to claim the medicare rebates.

Question 2

What are your fees?

Accepted Answer

We start with an initial assessment which is a 60 minute appointment. The fee depends on clinicians rate ($190-$280). This session helps us understand your goals, and determine which programme you are most suitable for. Following this, we discuss our programmes, your goals and work out where to from here. Our individual sessions range from $190 to $280 for our clinicians. Our groups / classes are $120 per hour and are offered online or in person for some of these.  Please refer to classes and groups for more detail.For Parents of Children or TeensOur process involves meeting with you, the parents, for an hour initially, followed by meeting with your teen/child (with or without depending on needs and preferences). This allows you to have the space to understand the programs and to identify specific supports needed for your family. The cost of each part of this assessment will be the session fee for the individual clinician you see. You may receive medicare rebates for your initial consultation, individual and in person group therapy sessions.

Question 3

What is involved in the first appointment?

Accepted Answer

During the assessment, the clinician will discuss what your treatment goals are and what brought you in for treatment. The clinician will discuss the different types and modalities of treatment with you to create a plan. The clinician may not be your ongoing therapist as this depends on availability and what may be most beneficial for you.

Question 4

Do you offer other therapies other than RO DBT and DBT?

Accepted Answer

Yes we offer trauma therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy, schema therapy, mindfulness based treatment and supportive therapy. We have 2 EMDR Level 2 clinicians who are members of EMDRAA. We also have 2 Credentialed Eating Disorders Clinicians!

Question 5

What can I expect in the skills classes or groups?

Accepted Answer

Each skills class and group is structured to include mindfulness, homework review and the teaching of a new skill from the RO DBT or DBT manual. The skills classes and groups are not process groups, but rather structured in a class format.

Question 6

What's the difference between individual sessions and skills classes or groups?

Accepted Answer

During the individual session you will work with your therapist to achieve specific goals and process individual experiences. The skills classes or groups are structured to teach the RO DBT and DBT skills more broadly. Both together are researched to be most effective.

Question 7

Do I need to see an individual therapist at the Centre to attend skills classes or groups?

Accepted Answer

While we offer the full programme (Individual and Skills Classes/Groups), we recognise that this may not always be doable.

We recognise that you may have a long lasting therapist.

If you do not see an individual therapist at the Centre, and your therapist is not trained in RODBT or DBT (pending your programme), you will need to attend minimum monthly Coaching sessions to help you get the most out of the programme.

What is Coaching - coaching alongside skills classes

Coaching sessions are used to consolidate information and skills learned during class, and to discuss any questions or homework tasks.

Research shows that engaging in these coaching sessions predict a greater outcome in both RO DBT and DBT treatment.

Question 8

Why are your classes and groups shorter than other courses?

Accepted Answer

The original model of DBT and RO DBT were 2.5hrs as the research was fully funded. Our director who is originally from the US follows the model from US based private practices to allow for the groups to be more accessible under the Australian health system. Our hour long courses have been constructed after extensive consultation and supervision by RO DBT and DBT international experts.

Question 9

What is Telehealth?

Accepted Answer

Telehealth is offered as an option for treatment at the Centre. Telehealth is provided for individual and skills classes when it is beneficial for the treatment. Medicare has approved Telehealth permanently and you are able to use the 10 rebatable sessions through Telehealth with a GP referral and a current MHCP.

Question 10

What does Certified DBT Clinician, Certified RO Senior Clinician and RO Scholar mean? Why is it important?

Accepted Answer

There are only a handful of Certified RO DBT Senior Clinicians, RO Scholars and DBT Certified Clinicians in the world, and we are proud to have two practicing here at The Centre. The Centre for RO DBT and DBT are proud to announce that Rebecca Ciatto, our director, is also the only Senior RO DBT Clinician in Australia, and is also the only Certified DBT Clinician through Linehan Board of Certification in NSW (one of seven in Australia). Tanya Gilmartin is also one the first RO DBT Scholars in Australia.

Why is it important that team members are RO Scholars or Certified DBT Clinicians?

Our team wants to make sure we are providing you the best treatment we can give, and understand that attending the intensive training in RO DBT and DBT are not enough. Both DBT and RO DBT are evolving treatments, and we want our clients to receive the most up to date treatment for success. Our entire team receives ongoing DBT and RO DBT supervision from supervisors around the world. Our director Rebecca Ciatto now receives supervision from Dr. Thomas Lynch and is part of the senior team working with experts around the world. Rebecca and Tanya underwent a two year two year training program led by Dr. Thomas Lynch, Erica Lynch and RO DBT Supervisors from around the world. Similarly, to obtain DBT Certification through Dr. Marsha Linehan's Board Rebecca underwent a process to be individually coded and assessed by DBT experts.

As participants this is important as Rebecca teaches adult classes and incorporates 10yrs worth of additional learning into her classes.

Question 11

What is the difference between a psychologist, accredited mental health social worker, provisional psychologist, and clinical psychologist?

Accepted Answer

Psychologists are trained in a wide variety of psychological theories that relate to understanding, managing and changing the behaviour of individuals and groups. A psychologist's training also involves expertise in administering and interpreting psychological tests, and in psychological research. Some psychologists have post-graduate training (Master’s and PhD degrees), and some do not hold post graduate qualifications. In order to practice as a psychologist in Australia, by law you need to be registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Authority. You can check out the Registration Board's website at www.ahpra.gov.au Accredited Mental Health Social workers  (AMHSW) are covered under Medicare to provide focused psychological treatment and are similar to registered psychologists and clinical psychologists in providing individual and group therapy using a variety of trauma informed and evidence based treatments. An AMHSW is required to have a four year university degree though many also have their masters or PhD's in social work. AHMSW's are required to demonstrate two years worth of supervised clinical experience to be eligible for medicare and register with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). They are also covered under the Medicare Eating Disorder treatment plan and some private health funds. Like registered psychologists and clinical psychologists, AMHSW are required to obtain yearly clinical supervision, professional development and training to maintain their AMHSW status.Medicare make a distinction between generalist psychologist and clinical psychologists based on the pathway taken to obtain registration and / or endorsement.Clinical Psychologists complete a Master of Clinical Psychology and engage in a registrar program for endorsement as a Clinical Psychologist. Some general psychologists have also completed a Masters level degree and engaged in further training in their interest areas without undertaking the pathway to endorsement. All psychologists are subject to the same stringent criteria for registration, professional development, and ongoing training. If you see a psychologist with "MAPS" after their name, this means that they are a member of the Australian Psychological Society. If you see a psychologist with MAAPi after their name, this means that they are a member of the Australian Association of Psychologists. These are the two main professional associations for Psychologists in Australia.Provisional Psychologists are psychologists  who are in their final stages to full registration. A provisional psychologist is supervised by Board Approved Supervisors and receives supervision for all aspects of their work. They are subject to the same high professional and ethical standards that registered psychologists are. They receive extensive supervision internally and externally and are a wonderful addition to our team. They demonstrate strong commitment and interest to our areas of passion and interest.

Psychology Practice Delivering
THERAPIES INClUDING
DBT & RODBT

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a GP referral?

What are your fees?

What is involved in the first appointment?

Do you offer other therapies other than RO DBT and DBT?

What can I expect in the skills classes or groups?

What's the difference between individual sessions and skills classes or groups?

Do I need to see an individual therapist at the Centre to attend skills classes or groups?

Why are your classes and groups shorter than other courses?

What is Telehealth?

What does Certified DBT Clinician, Certified RO Senior Clinician and RO Scholar mean? Why is it important?

What is the difference between a psychologist, accredited mental health social worker, provisional psychologist, and clinical psychologist?

Psychology Practice Delivering THERAPIES INClUDING DBT & RODBT

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a GP referral?

What are your fees?

What is involved in the first appointment?

Do you offer other therapies other than RO DBT and DBT?

What can I expect in the skills classes or groups?

What's the difference between individual sessions and skills classes or groups?

Do I need to see an individual therapist at the Centre to attend skills classes or groups?

Why are your classes and groups shorter than other courses?

What is Telehealth?

What does Certified DBT Clinician, Certified RO Senior Clinician and RO Scholar mean? Why is it important?

What is the difference between a psychologist, accredited mental health social worker, provisional psychologist, and clinical psychologist?

Psychology Practice Delivering
THERAPIES INClUDING
DBT & RODBT