Psychological Services at Swinburne - Frequently Asked Questions
- What psychological services are available at Swinburne?
- How much does psychotherapy cost at the Swinburne Psychology Clinic?
- What kind of problems to Psychologists provide help for?
- How can I make an appointment to see a Psychologist?
- What happens during an appointment with a Psychologist?
- Is what I say to a Psychologist confidential?
- Will the Psychologists use psychological tests?
- Are there any group programs for people with psychological difficulties?
Q. What psychological services are available at Swinburne?
A. Swinburne offers both counselling and psychological services to students on campus. Counsellors are available at all Swinburne University campuses, and psychologists can be accessed through the Psychology Clinic located on the Hawthorn Campus. All counsellors at Swinburne Student Development and Counselling have extensive training in counselling techniques are eligible for professional registration as psychologists. The Swinburne Psychology Clinic also provides counselling and psychological services, however students are usually advised to speak to a counsellor at the Student Development and Counselling service in the first instance. More serious or chronic issues will be referred to the Psychology Clinic. If you wish to access psychological services outside of Swinburne University, staff at the Student Development and Counselling or the Psychology Clinic may be able to refer you to a suitable professional. Professional contact information can also be found in your Local Community Council Database or through the organisations listed in the Swin-eCounselling links directory
Q. How much do psychology services cost at Swinburne?
A. Counselling at the Swinburne Student Development and Counselling service is free. Consultation fees at the Psychology Clinic are calculated at a rate of $1.00 per hour for every $1,000 of family income. There is a minimum fee of $15 to a maximum of $60 per consultation. At the initial appointment an extra $10 administration fee is levied.
Q. What kind of problems to Psychologists provide help for?
A. The Psychology Clinic provides low-cost counselling and clinical psychology to enable those in the community who cannot afford expensive treatments to access a wide range of professional psychological services. Counselling and Clinical Psychology are available in the following areas of concern:
- Grief and Loss
- Relationship problems
- Anxiety and depression
- Stress and lifestyle management
- Family problems
- Eating disorders
- Sexual assault and violence
- Cross-cultural issues
- Infertility
- Men's and women's issues
- Reactions to accident and trauma
- Health problems
Q. How can I make an appointment to see a Psychologist?
A.Contact the Psychology Centre on (03) 9214 8653 and ask for an appointment. Typically there is no waiting list and you can usually be given an appointment within two or three days. Psychological assessments and reports are provided within three weeks.
Q. What happens during an appointment with a Psychologist?
A. What happens during an appointment depends greatly on the nature of the problem or the issue. Usually, the psychologist will encourage you to explain what kind of help you think you need, and talk with you to help you get a clear idea of the problem and what kinds of options there are for dealing with the problem. Psychologists may also assist you to implement some changes to your situation or how you think about things to further reduce the likelihood of these problems resurfacing in the future. Compared to counselling, Psychologists are likely to take a more in-depth and longer-term approach to assisting you with your difficulties. In some cases, psychological tests may also be used to assist the Psychologist to develop an accurate understanding of your difficulties and implement therapeutic interventions appropriately.
Q. Is what I say to a Psychologist confidential?
A. Ordinarily, what you say to a Psychologist is confidential and will not be passed-on to anyone else (like a teacher or another family member) without your consent. An exception to this could be if the Psychologist had good reasons to be concerned for your safety or the safety of someone else. If you would like more details about your privacy click here for the Swinburne Privacy Statement
Q. Will the Psychologist use psychological tests?
A. In some cases, psychological tests may be used to assist the Psychologist to develop an accurate understanding of your difficulties and implement therapeutic interventions appropriately. You can also request specific low-cost psychological assessment (for children, adolescents and adults) at the Psychology Clinic. A range of psychological tests are available including measures of intelligence, intellectual ability, personality, career choice, behaviours, and specific abilities. Psychological assessment is often useful for understanding problems at school, evaluating personal aptitudes for occupations and for discovering the degree to which people possess personal attributes that are helpful in creating productive lives. This service includes the provision of detailed reports and follow-up interviews.
Psychological assessments are usually $120 for an intellectual assessment and report.
Q. Are there any group programs available for people with psychological difficulties?
A. Often individual counselling and support can be effectively enhanced by participating in group programs. Low-cost group programs are also offered at the Swinburne Psychology Clinic for problems that are known to be managed better when people can gain support from others in similar situations and with similar concerns. To find out more about these programs, have a look at the Clinic'scommunity programs page.