Lively Lifestyles Psychology | Perinatal Mental Health

What are the learning objectives of Circle of Security Parenting™ ?

Understand your child’s emotional world by learning to read their emotional needs and cues Support your child’s ability to successfully manage emotions Enhance the development of your child's self esteem Honor your innate wisdom and desire for your child to be secure The Circle of Security Parenting™ program focuses on developing the strong and secure attachment that is necessary for children’s social, emotional and behavioural development. The course does not provide behaviour management strategies, ‘quick fixes’ or 'parenting hacks'. The goal is for parents and caregivers to develop greater awareness of what their child is trying to communicate through their behaviour, as well as ways parents can meet those underlying needs.
What do participants get from this program?

8 x 90-minute group Zoom calls with Psychologist, Ana Ristov. Sessions include watching video content together followed by guided discussions and activities. You get access to evidence-based knowledge supported by over 30 years of research A workbook and handouts with all the key concepts you need to know including prompts for further reflection A small group experience to meet and connect with other like-minded parents of young children who are ready to reflect and think more deeply about themselves and their relationship with their child A compassionate and non-judgmental approach to support you to be the parent you want to be A certificate of completion for the course, for each person who attends all 8 sessions.
Who can benefit from attending?

Circle of Security Parenting™ is helpful for almost all parents, specifically parents who are interested in: Improving their skills in reading and understanding their child’s social and emotional needs Increasing confidence to attend to their child’s behaviour concerns Adopting a compassionate, no-blame approach that allows parents to feel supported, regardless of their personal and/or parenting history An evidence-based program supported by over 30 years of research in attachment theory Learning to parent differently to how they were parented
Who would this not be suitable for?

Parents who do not see their child/ren regularly Parents who are engaged in any legal proceedings or have any court orders in place Parents who have been mandated to attend
When is the next group scheduled for?

Every Saturday 9.30am - 11am (Melbourne time) Starts 4th May 2024 for 8 weeks
What age should my child be?

Circle of Security Parenting™ is designed for parents and carers of children of all ages. Most of the video-based resources show children aged 0-6, however we have found that as our need for secure relationships remains throughout the lifespan, parents of children of all ages benefit from attending. It’s recommended if you’re pregnant or have a newborn that you wait until your baby is about 4 months old before you do the program. This will enable you to put the information into practice and get more from the interactive sessions.
When and where are sessions run?

We offer sessions on Tuesday evenings at 7pm (Melbourne time) for approximately 60-90 minutes per session. Sessions are held online via Zoom, as it meets the strict requirements for online security and privacy set out by the Australian Psychological Society (APS). Clients are provided with a secure video link prior to sessions. Please note: sessions are unable to be recorded due to copyright and privacy reasons and therefore it is necessary to attend the sessions live.
How much does it cost?

The cost for our online COS-P groups is $56.25 per session (total $450) for the full 8-week course. Partners are welcome to attend for an additional $50 (total $500). You may be able to get a rebate via your private health fund - contact us here if you require an itemised invoice. The full course cost must be paid up front and this is non-refundable once the course has commenced. Session fees for individual (1:1) sessions vary, and are based on the clinician’s usual hourly rate.
Do I need any special equipment?

No, you just require an internet connection and a device that has a camera, speaker and microphone, and a web browser that supports Zoom (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge). It is recommended that you use headphones if you’re going to be in a space with background noise.
What will happen if I miss a session?

Due to the private nature of the program, group sessions are not recorded. If you are unable to make a session, please contact us and we will do our best to catch you up briefly before the next session, but this may not always be possible due to time constraints. Please note - certificate of completion is only able to be provided to participants who attend all sessions.
Where can I find out more information?

You are welcome to contact our team to ask questions you may have. Alternatively to find out more about the COS-P program itself, and understand more of its history and principles, check out the Circle of Security International website: https://www.circleofsecurityinternational.com/resources-for-parents/.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a session cost?

Initial Consultations $250

Subsequent Consultations $205

Our fees are set in accordance with the Australian Psychological Society (APS) and the Australian Association of Psychologists Incorporated (AAPi).

Please note the APS recommended fee for seeing a psychologist in 2023 at $300.00/hour.

Clients with a referral under a Mental Health Care Plan are able to access a rebate of $93.35.

If you have reached your Medicare Safety net for the year, your rebate may be higher. You can check whether you have reached your medicare safety net through your myGov.

Fees are subject to annual reviews in conjunction with the APS/AAPi recommended schedule of fees.

When do you offer appointments?

Mondays - evenings

Tuesdays - evenings

Wednesdays - 8.30am-5.30pm

Appointments can be made via Telehealth or in-person.

To make a booking you can use our Online Client Portal by clicking here.

How do I get there?

We are located inside Epworth Freemasons Hospital.

Parking: There is paid carpark at Epworth Freemasons & street parking (fees may apply).

Public Transport: Tram number 109 stops directly out the front of the Epworth Freemasons Hospital, on Victoria Parade.

When do I need to make a payment?

For In-Person Appointments:
Full payment is required on the day of consultation via the Power Diary Booking App (automatic online payment system) or Credit Card via EFTPOS machine. Please note, cash is not accepted as a payment method.

For Telehealth Appointments:

Full fee must be paid for prior to the commencement of the appointment.

Please note, Lively Lifestyles Psychology does not offer a bulk billing service.

How do I receive a Medicare Rebate?

To receive a Medicare rebate, you will need to visit your GP who will assess your eligibility for a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP). If you are approved for a MHCP, you will then be entitled to Medicare rebates for up to 10 individual therapy sessions per calendar year.

The rebate amount is approximately $93.35 per session.

A dated and signed MHCP referral letter from your GP is required to receive the rebate. Please bring the referral letter to your first appointment. If you don't have a MHCP, then the full-fee is required.

Please be aware that the Medicare rebates offered with Mental Health Care Plans are for the treatment of individuals only and do not apply to Couples Counselling. There are no Medicare rebates for Couples Counselling.

Do I have to have a referral from a doctor?

No. You can certainly see a psychologist privately.

However, if you would like to access a Medicare-rebate for your psychology sessions, you will need a valid referral from a GP for a MHCP.

Will my Private Health Insurance pay for anything?

Some private health funds do cover psychological therapy, however you need to find this information out directly from your private health fund/policy. They may inform you how much you may get back and what your budget for psychological services may be. If your service is covered by private health, your invoice will still need to be paid in full on the day of your appointment and claimed back through your insurer.

What is the 'Pregnancy Support Counselling' Rebate?

Pregnancy support counselling through the Medicare scheme is available for clients with a current or recent pregnancy (within the last 12 months) who have any concerns, such as decisions about the future, adjustment following the pregnancy, or general issues related to a pregnancy.

The rebate amount is approximately $68.45 per session.

A referral to this service is required via GP. The pregnancy support counselling rebate only covers 3 sessions, although you may continue privately, or be referred again under another appropriate initiative such as a MHCP. Speak to your GP about the suitability of other Medicare services.

For more information, click here.

I made an in-person appointment but I'm not feeling well. What do I do?

If you are feeling unwell (fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, loss of sense of taste or smell or temperature); have been potentially exposed to COVID-19; are awaiting COVID-19 testing results or have tested positive for COVID-19, you can reschedule your face-to-face appointment to a Telehealth service.