How Referrals Can Be Made

Referrals may occur in two ways:

• Patient-initiated referral — a healthcare professional provides a written referral with my contact information and the patient contacts me directly to arrange an appointment.
   
• Clinician-initiated referral — with the patient’s knowledge and consent, a referring practitioner may contact me to discuss suitability and provide contact details so I can contact the patient.

Referrals can be made via secure email (Healthlink), written referral, or phone consultation.

 

After Referral

Following referral, I arrange an initial consultation with the patient to understand their concerns, what they are hoping for, and whether this approach feels helpful for them. Beginning therapy can feel uncertain, and the initial meetings provide a space to think together about what might be most supportive.
 

Receipt of referrals is provided, and with the patient’s knowledge and consent I provide brief feedback to referrers regarding whether therapy proceeds and matters relevant to continuity of care.

Who May Find Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy Helpful

Psychoanalytic psychotherapy may be helpful for adolescents and adults experiencing:

• Persistent feelings of sadness, depression, anxiety, or unresolved grief
• A sense of feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or misunderstood
• Social withdrawal or difficulties feeling connected to others
• Difficulties in relationships, family life, work, or study
• Repetitive emotional or relational patterns that are hard to change
• Questions about identity, meaning, or direction
• The emotional impact of trauma or adverse early experiences
• Ongoing distress despite previous therapy or treatment

 

When Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy May Be Helpful

This form of therapy may be particularly appropriate when:

• Other treatments have provided some relief but underlying difficulties remain
• There is a wish to understand deeper patterns rather than focusing only on symptom reduction
• The person has sufficient stability to engage in regular therapy
• There is readiness to explore thoughts and feelings within a consistent therapeutic relationship
   

Treatment Framework

Psychoanalytic psychotherapy is offered as ongoing treatment, typically meeting weekly or twice weekly as needed.

Ongoing psychoanalytic psychotherapy is not covered by Medicare rebates. Fees are discussed openly at the outset, including consideration of individual circumstances where appropriate.

Communication and Collaboration

With patient consent, I maintain thoughtful communication with referring practitioners and other treating professionals where helpful. I aim to support continuity of care and shared understanding of the patient’s needs.

Professional Standards

My practice operates within a framework of:

• Professional indemnity insurance
• Regular clinical supervision
• Ongoing professional development
• Adherence to the Code of Ethics of the Victorian Association of Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy

Enquiries

If you are considering a referral or wondering whether psychoanalytic psychotherapy may be helpful, you are welcome to get in touch to discuss.