Frequently Asked Questions

What to expect in sessions?

• A Safe & Judgment-Free Space: You can openly express emotions, thoughts, and concerns without fear of judgment.

• Therapist's Role: The role of the therapist is to listen, asks questions, and offer insights and coping strategies.

• Self-Exploration: Sessions can involve discussing past experiences, identifying patterns, or working on specific issues.

• Emotional Reactions Are Normal: You might experience emotions like sadness, relief, or frustration, and that's part of the healing process.

• Techniques & Tools: Tara incorporates various therapeutic modalities which are dependant on what is presented at each session. Everyone is different and what might work for some, may not work for other so these strategies are individually tailored.

• Continued Reflection: Therapists may encourage clients to think about or practice certain ideas between sessions to reinforce progress.

After and between sessions:

• Emotional Reflection: Some clients feel lighter and relieved, while others may feel emotionally drained. Both are normal.

• Gradual Progress: Therapy is a process, and change takes time. Clients should be patient with themselves.

• Between-Session Work: Practicing coping strategies or reflecting on discussions helps reinforce progress.

What are the fees?

At Ocean Blue Social Work & Counselling, we believe therapy should be accessible. We recognise that people’s financial circumstances vary and that different funding bodies — such as Medicare, NDIS, DVA, WorkCover, and private health funds — all have different service provisions, regulations, limits, and rebate amounts. These differences often mean that rebates or funding options do not fully cover the cost of ongoing care.

Sliding Scale

To reduce financial barriers, we offer a sliding scale fee structure. This allows the cost of sessions to be adjusted based on individual circumstances, such as income level, student status, or financial hardship. Concession places are limited and offered on a case-by-case basis. This flexibility helps bridge the gap where rebates end, or when funding streams do not provide adequate coverage.

Medicare Rebates

If you have a Mental Health Treatment Plan or a Chronic Conditions Management Plan from your GP, you may be eligible for a Medicare rebate toward your sessions. While rebates are helpful, they are capped each year and do not always cover the full cost of therapy — the sliding scale helps make up the difference.

NDIS Participants

Therapy sessions for NDIS participants are billed at the full NDIS rate, as outlined in the current Price Guide. Services are funded through Capacity Building – Improved Daily Living and are available for both self-managed and plan-managed participants.

Other Funding Options

Clients may also access therapy through:

• Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA): Fully funded with a GP referral

• Home Care Packages: Counselling can be included in your package funding

• WorkCover QLD: For employees recovering from work-related injuries

• Queensland Police Service Self-Referral Program: Up to 6 sessions available for QPS employees

• Employee Assistance Programs (EAP): Access depends on your employer’s provider

• Approved Private Health Funds: Rebates available for members of selected funds

What is the difference with Medicare services and NDIS?

Medicare Therapy
Medicare therapy is a form of clinical treatment, accessed through a referral from your GP, Psychiatrist, or Paediatrician. It provides a limited number of subsidised sessions per year under a Mental Health Treatment Plan (up to 10) or a Chronic Conditions Management Plan (up to 5). Medicare therapy is short-term, diagnosis-based, and focused on treating medical or mental health conditions.

NDIS Therapy
NDIS therapy is funded through an NDIS plan and is focused on building functional capacity. It supports people with disability to increase independence, improve daily living skills, strengthen emotional regulation, and participate in the community. Therapy is flexible, ongoing, and tailored to the person’s goals, often working alongside other allied health providers.

Important Difference
Medicare therapy and NDIS therapy do not align with each other. Medicare is centred on clinical treatment, while NDIS is focused on functional outcomes and capacity building. They are separate funding systems and cannot be claimed at the same time for the same service.

Do you offer Telehealth sessions?

Yes, Telehealth counselling can be an effective way to receive therapy services, particularly for individuals who have limited access to traditional in-person therapy due to location, physical disabilities, or other constraints.

Telehealth counselling allows individuals to access therapy services from the comfort of their own homes or other convenient locations, using a computer, tablet, or smartphone.

Who is responsible for keeping track of sessions and funding?

Medicare Sessions

It is the client’s responsibility to keep track of how many Medicare-rebated sessions they have available under their Mental Health Treatment Plan or Chronic Conditions Plan. You can check your remaining sessions by:

• Logging into your Medicare Online account or MyMedicare app

• Calling Medicare directly on 132 011

If you have used all of your current plan’s sessions, you will need to return to your GP for a review and request additional sessions (if eligible).

NDIS Funding

Your NDIS plan includes a set budget under different categories (for example, Improved Daily Living). It is the participant’s or their plan manager’s responsibility to monitor available funds and let us know what is accessible.

• If you are self-managed, you can log into the NDIS portal (myplace) to see your balance.

• If you are plan-managed, your plan manager will be able to give you updates.

If your NDIS funding is exhausted or not enough to cover sessions, you will need to either pay privately, wait for your next plan to start, or request a plan review with the NDIS.

What Happens if Funding Runs Out?

• Medicare: Further sessions cannot be booked until a valid GP referral/plan with available sessions is provided. If rebates are declined, the client is responsible for the full session fee.

• NDIS: If there are insufficient funds, you can choose to continue privately funded sessions, or we can pause services until funding is renewed or reviewed.

Please also see our Cancellations and Funding Policy for full details.

What is the difference between social work therapy and psychology?

Psychology Therapy
Psychologists specialise in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental health conditions. Their work is often clinically focused, using psychological testing and structured therapies. Psychology primarily centres on mental health disorders and behavioural change through evidence-based interventions.

Social Work Therapy
Accredited Mental Health Social Workers (AMHSWs) also provide evidence-based, focused psychological strategies, similar to those used by psychologists. However, social work therapy extends beyond the clinical lens, taking a biopsychosocial approach. This means considering the impact of social, emotional, cultural, and environmental factors alongside mental health. Social work therapy is strengths-based, person-centred, and often combines counselling, psychoeducation, skill-building, and practical strategies to improve daily functioning.

Key Difference
Both professions deliver high-quality, evidence-based therapy. The difference lies in the lens of practice:

• Psychology is primarily clinical and diagnostic.

• Social Work Therapy is clinical and holistic, with a stronger focus on functional capacity, resilience, and the broader life context.

Do you provide case management?

Case management is a service where a professional takes an ongoing role in coordinating and overseeing all aspects of a person’s care. A case manager (or support coordinator) may:

• Arrange and monitor services from multiple providers

• Advocate on behalf of the person with different agencies

• Keep track of goals and progress

• Act as the central point of contact for care and support needs

Case management focuses on long-term coordination and oversight, ensuring all services work together in a structured way.

How is Counselling Different?
Ocean Blue Social Work and Counselling does not provide case management. Instead, Tara provides appointment-based counselling and therapeutic support. This means the focus is on:

• Exploring thoughts, emotions, and experiences

• Developing coping strategies and resilience

• Working toward personal goals in a safe, supportive environment

• Linking clients into community programs when appropriate

Counselling is about therapy and personal growth, while case management is about organising and coordinating services.

How can I access crisis services?

Crisis services are there for you when things feel too much to manage on your own right now. They provide immediate support if you’re feeling unsafe, overwhelmed, or at risk of harm.

• They are usually available 24/7 by phone, text, or online chat.

• The focus is on helping you through the moment, keeping you safe, and linking you with further supports.

• Conversations are short-term and aimed at calming the situation and providing next steps.

Crisis services are not a replacement for ongoing therapy. They are more like a first point of help when things feel overwhelming — a place you can turn to straight away for safety, support, and guidance on what to do next.

Please note: Tara does not provide crisis services or out of office hours sessions. If you are in immediate distress, please use the crisis contacts listed on this page or call 000 in an emergency.