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Fees
Initial Consultation - $280 (50min)
Subsequent Consultation - $230 (50min)
Medicare Rebate: $98.95
Out of Pocket Expense: $181.05 for initial consultation; $131.05 for all subsequent sessions.
Accepts all valid mental health treatment care plans.
Our fees are aligned with the guidelines provided by the Australian Psychological Society (APS) and the Australian Association of Psychologists Incorporated (AAPi).
The APS and AAPi recommended fee for psychological services in 2025 is $330.00 per hour. Our fees are set at a significantly lower rate to ensure greater accessibility.
If you have reached your Medicare Safety Net for the year, you may be eligible for a higher rebate. You can check your current status by logging into your myGov account.
Please note that fees are reviewed annually and may be adjusted in line with the APS/AAPi recommended schedule.
In an effort to streamline our appointment system and provide the best service to all our clients, Lively Lifestyles Psychology has implemented a credit-card policy for appointments. As an online practice, this policy ensures efficient processing.
Upon scheduling an initial appointment, clients are required to provide valid credit or debit card details to secure and confirm their appointment time. It is our practice policy that all initial consultations are to be paid in full at the time of booking, and for any subsequent appointments, your card will be charged on the day of the appointment.
Please be assured that all credit card details will be handled with the utmost security and confidentiality. All card details provided will be stored securely and will not be shared with unauthorised third parties. Your credit card will not be charged unless specified under the cancellation policy, or upon payment for your appointment.
Please note, Lively Lifestyles Psychology does not offer a bulk billing service.
Frequently asked questions
For all new clients, please ensure that you fill out our enquiry form which can be found here.
Ongoing clients have access to a client portal to book appointments online when suits them.
Please address referrals to:
Ana Ristov
Lively Lifestyles Psychology
PO Box 4025, Kalkallo 3064
We find it incredibly helpful if you can provide your patient’s email address. Often it can be tricky to get hold of someone on the phone and we can play phone tag, which really delays our intake. Email can be very handy in these situations.
No, Ana supports women through many walks of life! While Perinatal and Reproductive Psychology has been a long-term passion and focal point in Ana's career, she is able to support many other psychological backgrounds and clinical presentations. If you are not a fertility or perinatal patient, and you are wishing to see Ana for psychological support, please feel free to enquire about availability via email.
You do not require a referral to access psychological services.
You are, however, required to obtain a referral/mental health care plan from your GP or psychiatrist should you be wanting to claim 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 $98.95 per session.
A dated and signed MHCP referral letter from your GP is required to receive the rebate. It must be dated on or before your first appointment. 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.
Yes. After payment, we will issue you a receipt that you can submit to your private health insurer for reimbursement.
Some private health funds provide rebates for psychological services; however, coverage varies depending on your individual policy. We recommend contacting your health fund directly to confirm your level of cover, rebate amounts, and any annual limits that may apply.
Please note that full payment is required at the time of your appointment, and any eligible rebate can be claimed by you through your insurer.
Ana has completed additional training to provide perinatal non-directive counselling, which attracts a Medicare rebates.
Eligibility
Any person who is currently pregnant or has been pregnant within the past 12 months, and who has concerns relating to that pregnancy, may be eligible for up to three (3) non-directive pregnancy support counselling sessions per pregnancy, with Medicare rebates. A GP referral is required to access these rebates.
What is non-directive counselling?
This is a form of counselling based on the understanding that, in many situations, people can resolve their own problems without being provided with a solution by the therapist.
The service involves the therapist undertaking a safe, confidential process that helps you explore concerns you have about your pregnancy. This includes providing unbiased, evidence-based information about all options and services available to you (including terminations), where requested. Your partner may attend therapy sessions, with consent.
Medicare Rebate
Rebates are available for up to three sessions per pregnancy at $72.55 per session.
Referral Process
Any GP can refer eligible clients to Ana via a signed and dated referral letter or note. A Mental Health Treatment Plan is not required. GPs are not required to have completed non-directive pregnancy counselling training in order to refer. Please note - a new referral is required for each pregnancy or if the client wishes to see a different provider.
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The number and frequency of your sessions will vary. For most people, the best outcomes for therapy occur from attending regular sessions. Initial treatment usually involves six weekly or fortnightly sessions. If there are long breaks between sessions, therapy may be less effective. After initial treatment, many people need less frequent sessions.
Ana recommends you book between three and six sessions to start your therapy journey.
While our primary rooms are located in Suite 117 at Epworth Freemasons Hospital, at the current time we are only offering online-based telehealth services. This is done via secure video platform.