Frequently asked questions

About the practice

What is BioPsyche?

An online psychology practice for adults across Australia, run by Suzanne Robertson, a registered psychologist with more than 25 years’ experience. The practice has a particular focus on workplace psychological harm — burnout, moral injury, workplace trauma and work-related stress — and also works with adults experiencing trauma, anxiety and depression, neurodivergence, chronic illness and significant life adjustment. The approach throughout is neuro-informed, soul conscious and heart-centred.

Who is the psychologist?

Suzanne Robertson — registered psychologist, Board-approved supervisor with the Psychology Board of Australia, with a background across private practice, employee assistance programs, workplace rehabilitation and disability services, and a Bachelor of Biomedical Science. More about Suzanne →

What is the difference between therapy, assessment, professional consultation and supervision?

Psychological therapy is assessment and treatment of psychological difficulties — for when something needs treating. Assessments are a structured process to answer a clinical or diagnostic question — most often adult ADHD — with a written report; you do not need to be in therapy to have one. Professional Supervision, Consultation & Reflective Practice is independent psychologist-led professional consultation for helping professionals doing complex, emotionally demanding work — a space to think about the work, your reactions to it, boundaries and ethics; it focuses on professional practice rather than your own mental health, does not need a diagnosis, and does not automatically satisfy any supervision your profession requires. Psychology Supervision & Professional Consultation is Board-approved supervision for psychologists within my approved supervision categories, plus independent professional consultation for registered psychologists at any stage of practice. External Reflective Practice for Teams is a psychologist-facilitated reflective space for teams, arranged by enquiry. If you are unsure which is yours, email me and I will point you to the right door.

Bookings and sessions

Do I need a referral?

No — you can book directly. A referral matters only for rebates: with a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan you receive a Medicare rebate for eligible psychological therapy, up to 10 sessions per calendar year. WorkCover, DVA, NDIS and other funded arrangements have their own pathways. Professional consultation and supervision need no referral and are paid privately.

How do I book?

The easiest way is online booking — you’ll see available times and can request one that suits. You can also email admin@biopsyche.com.au or call 0494 746 877. You don’t need to have things figured out before you come; one appointment is just a conversation.

What does a session cost?

A 50-minute therapy session is $195, with a Medicare rebate of $101.55 if you have a Mental Health Treatment Plan. Professional consultation and supervision for psychologists are each $220 for 60 minutes, private, one-off or ongoing. Team reflective practice is quoted on enquiry. The Adult ADHD Diagnostic Assessment is $1,250 including the written report, payable in stages. Funded sessions are billed at the funder’s rate. Full details on the Fees page.

Can I pay privately?

Yes — every service can be paid for privately, with or without a referral.

What happens in the first therapy session?

It’s about understanding where things are at and what would help right now — not about re-telling everything that happened. We go at your pace. You’ll leave with a clearer picture of what you’re dealing with and a sense of the path forward.

How do online appointments work?

You will receive a secure video link before your appointment. It opens in your browser, so there is nothing to download or install. Phone appointments are available if that suits you better. All you need is a private space, a reasonable connection, and about an hour. Medicare rebates are available for online sessions where a Mental Health Treatment Plan is in place.

What is your cancellation policy?

Please give at least 48 hours’ notice to cancel or reschedule. Late cancellations and non-attendance may incur a fee, which Medicare and other funders do not cover. Genuine emergencies are treated as such.

Work-related concerns

I’m struggling because of work, but I don’t have a WorkCover claim. Can I still come?

Yes — and this matters: you do not need a claim, a diagnosis, or a crisis for work-related distress to be real or worth treating. Most people I see with workplace psychological harm never lodge a claim. The work we do is the same either way.

Do you accept WorkCover and insurer referrals?

I accept WorkCover Queensland referrals, and other insurer- and compensation-funded psychological services where the insurer has approved treatment. DVA and NDIS (self- and plan-managed) are also available. GPs and rehabilitation providers can find practical details on the referrer page. If your difficulty is the injury itself or getting back to work, see psychological injury and return to work.

I’m a health professional myself. Can I see you confidentially?

Yes. Nurses, doctors, psychologists, teachers and other helping professionals make up much of my practice — the people who hold everyone else together are exposed to the same harms, plus a few of their own, including moral injury. Sessions are confidential in the usual way, and telehealth means you can work with a psychologist outside your own professional community. If you are unsure whether you need therapy, professional consultation or supervision, I’m happy to help you work out which door is yours.

Can you diagnose ADHD? Can you prescribe medication?

I can assess and diagnose adult ADHD through a comprehensive diagnostic assessment. Psychologists do not prescribe medication. If you want to explore medication after assessment, your report can go to an appropriately qualified medical practitioner, who will make their own assessment and decision. Details on the Adult ADHD Diagnostic Assessment page.

Supervision, professional consultation and reflective practice

Can I use professional consultation without a referral or diagnosis?

Yes. It is a private service for people whose work is demanding, and it does not require a diagnosis, a mental health condition or a referral. Medicare rebates do not apply because it is not treatment.

Does professional consultation satisfy my profession’s supervision requirements?

Not automatically. Formal supervision requirements vary between professions, associations, credentialing pathways and employers. If you need supervision for a formal purpose, tell me when you enquire and we will confirm eligibility before we begin. For psychologists, Board-approved supervision is available within my approved supervision categories.

Is professional consultation therapy?

No. Psychological therapy focuses on your own mental health, symptoms, functioning and recovery. Professional supervision and consultation focus on your professional practice, complex work, your reactions to it, decision-making, boundaries, ethics and development. The two can overlap, and if it becomes clear therapy would serve you better I will say so; the choice remains yours.

Can I book a single consultation?

Yes. You do not have to commit to ongoing supervision to discuss a difficult case or professional issue with another experienced psychologist. Ongoing sessions are optional.

Can teams or organisations book sessions?

Yes, by enquiry. External Reflective Practice for Teams is psychologist-facilitated professional reflection for teams doing complex and emotionally demanding work. It is not performance management and not therapy delivered to a team.

Can professional consultation count towards CPD or peer consultation?

It may, depending on your profession and its requirements. Psychologists should confirm how sessions count under the Psychology Board’s CPD and peer consultation requirements; other professions should check with their registration or professional body. I provide written confirmation of sessions attended.

I’m a provisional psychologist — can you be my supervisor?

Possibly, depending on what you need. Please enquire first so we can work out together the nature and scope of the supervision required and whether I am the right person to provide some or all of it. All supervision is provided within my qualifications, competence and scope.

Confidentiality

Is what I share confidential?

Yes. What you discuss stays between us, with the standard legal and ethical exceptions every Australian psychologist works under — serious risk of harm, a court order or subpoena, or your written consent to share (for example, progress letters to your GP). If your sessions are funded by WorkCover, an insurer, DVA, NDIS or an employer arrangement, some reporting to the funder is usually part of the arrangement; I will explain exactly what that involves at your first appointment, and the Privacy page sets out how information is handled.

Still have a question?

Email admin@biopsyche.com.au, call 0494 746 877, or simply book a first appointment.