How telehealth works
Meeting a psychologist by video may be new to you. This page explains what to expect, step by step, so the format feels familiar before your first session. Telehealth Psychology Australia is a telehealth only practice working with people across Australia.
Distance leaves the equation
Telehealth removes distance from the equation. You can see a registered psychologist from home, or from anywhere in Australia with a private space and an internet connection. This is useful if you live regionally, travel for work, have limited mobility, or simply prefer the convenience of meeting by video.
Research into psychological therapy delivered by video has reported positive outcomes. Individual experiences vary, and the right format depends on your circumstances. Your psychologist will talk this through with you.
A typical session
Sessions run for about 50 minutes (between 46 and 50 minutes) and take place over secure video through Halaxy Telehealth. Halaxy runs in your web browser, so there is nothing to install. The video itself is provided by Amazon Chime on Amazon Web Services in Sydney, with AES-256 encryption. Sessions are not recorded.
If you and your psychologist agree to use Halaxy’s AI Scribe to help with note-taking, that requires separate consent. AI Scribe is Australian-hosted, keeps no audio, and is not used to train AI models. You can decline it at any time.
Three steps to your first session
Three steps take you from first contact to your first session.
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1
Make an enquiry
Email directors@thpa.au to let us know you would like to arrange an appointment.
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2
Complete an intake form
Before your first session you will be asked to complete some forms so your psychologist has the information needed to begin.
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3
Attend your first session
You will receive a secure video link for your appointment time.
What happens when we begin
The first session helps your psychologist understand what brings you to therapy and whether telehealth is a good fit. It usually includes:
- Identity confirmation. Your psychologist will confirm who you are at the start.
- A suitability check. A brief conversation about whether telehealth and the support offered here suit your needs.
- Informed consent. A clear explanation of how sessions work, privacy, fees, and your rights, with space for your questions.
- The beginning of assessment. Your psychologist starts to build a picture of your situation and what you are hoping for.
Brief questionnaires such as the K10, PHQ-9, GAD-7, or DASS-21 may be used from time to time to help track how you are going.
A few simple things help
A few simple things help your session run smoothly and privately.
- A private, quiet room where you will not be overheard or interrupted.
- A reliable internet connection.
- A device with a working camera and microphone (a computer, tablet, or phone).
- A phone nearby, in case the connection drops or your psychologist needs to reach you.
- Your current location. Your psychologist will confirm where you are at the start of each session, in case support is ever needed in an emergency.
An honest fit
Telehealth suits many people, but not every situation. Some circumstances, such as an acute crisis or a significant safety risk, may be better suited to in-person care or a higher level of support. If telehealth is not the right fit for you, your psychologist will discuss this openly and help you consider alternatives.
Technology sometimes fails
If your video session disconnects, your psychologist will try to reconnect for a short period. If reconnecting does not work, your psychologist will phone you on the number on file. Sessions interrupted by genuine technology failures are handled with discretion.
If you need urgent help
Telehealth Psychology Australia is not a crisis or emergency service, and sessions are scheduled in advance rather than available on demand. If you need urgent help, please use one of these services.
- In an emergency or if you are in immediate danger, call 000.
- Lifeline, free 24-hour support: 13 11 14.
Frequently asked questions
A few things people often ask about sessions by video. If your question is not here, send us a message and we will get back to you.
No. Halaxy Telehealth runs in your web browser. You will receive a secure link to join your session at the appointment time.
Anywhere in Australia where you have a private, quiet space and a reliable internet connection. THPA is telehealth only.
About 50 minutes (between 46 and 50 minutes).
No. Sessions are not recorded. If you and your psychologist choose to use Halaxy AI Scribe for note-taking, that requires separate consent, is Australian-hosted, and keeps no audio.
Video is delivered through Amazon Chime on Amazon Web Services in Sydney with AES-256 encryption. Your records are kept in Halaxy (hosted on AWS Sydney, AES-256). We handle your information under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles.
You may be eligible for a Medicare rebate with a valid Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP. The session fee is $230, and the Medicare rebate for a registered psychologist is $101.55, leaving a typical out-of-pocket cost of $128.45. Under Medicare Better Access, up to 10 rebated sessions are available per calendar year, with a GP referral and a valid Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP. You pay the full fee and Medicare pays the rebate to you (sessions are not bulk-billed).
We ask for at least 24 hours notice (2 clear business days for NDIS). Late or missed sessions may be charged the full fee (up to 90% for NDIS). Genuine emergencies and technology failures are handled with discretion.
Our psychologists are Registered Psychologists with the Psychology Board of Australia through AHPRA.
When you are ready, get in touch
When you are ready, get in touch and we will arrange a time that works for you.
A 2-minute enquiry · a reply usually within one business day · no health details needed