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Psychologists, why so exxy?


Guest Megsmith

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Guest Megsmith

Ok, so I saw my GP for a checkup, touch in this week. She is happy with my physical health, but recommended that I work on my mental health, mainly anxiety and trauma issues. My issue is, the psych that works at her clinic is $190 a visit. Assuming I get a mental health plan, that knocks off $87. So still over $100 for someone to basically listen to me whine. Sorry if I sound facetious, but as a teacher, my nominal hourly rate is $37 to deal with 25 humans, then a different group every hour. I can not reconcile why psychs charge so much to listen to one person. Don’t get me wrong,my brother is a psych. But I just don’t think this is value for money. Am I wrong?

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That’s fairly standard. Don’t forget they also have to pay for the overheads, info they are part of a clinic, that also includes contributing to receptionist, rents, internet, power, etc. They have to carry insurance of various types some of which is pretty expensive, they have to register with their regulatory body, Medicare. They have to purchase and pay regular fees for assessment tools if they do assessments. There is lots of things. If they are part of NDIS, just to be registered with NDIS requires a stupid amount of paperwork and is anywhere between $5000-$10000 a year.


The psych my son sees is $218.69/hour. And she only has provisional status. When she fulfils the requirements for full status her hourly rate for up to 323.79. That’s because I live remote though and they change NDIS prices which means a 40% loading on the max they can charge.


The actual psych doesn’t get paid that an hour. They might get paid $40/hour.

Edited by CrankyM
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JohnnyComeLately

Overheads, insurance, tax, etc. It all adds up.


I think psychologist have 6 years training, too.


If you think psychologists charge a lot, try psychiatrists.

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That’s fairly standard. Don’t forget they also have to pay for the overheads, info they are part of a clinic, that also includes contributing to receptionist, rents, internet, power, etc. They have to carry insurance of various types some of which is pretty expensive, they have to register with their regulatory body, Medicare. They have to purchase and pay regular fees for assessment tools if they do assessments. There is lots of things. If they are part of NDIS, just to be registered with NDIS requires a stupid amount of paperwork and is anywhere between $5000-$10000 a year.


The psych my son sees is $218.69/hour. And she only has provisional status. When she fulfils the requirements for full status her hourly rate for up to 323.79. That’s because I live remote though and they change NDIS prices which means a 40% loading on the max they can charge.


The actual psych doesn’t get paid that an hour. They might get paid $40/hour.

 

All of this. Plus they’re rather in demand, and can and will only charge what the market will bear. If you don’t think it’s worth the money, you won’t go. But if it’s needed for your mental health then surely it is worth the money?


I’m a lawyer and we charge well over this per hour- if I had a dollar for all the times I’ve had to explain it isn’t what we get paid, overheads, secretaries blah blah blah I’d have more money than I’ve made being a lawyer (and don’t get me wrong, I’m well paid!)

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I have to see a psychologist for at least two sessions a year because of my paid role.


It's an opportunity to "download"/"unload". They are also an objective third party. I have a lot of respect for the profession. I believe that the value lies in that every session is focused on you.


It is also a lot of study and clinical hours to attain full registration with AHPRA. I also have a 4 year teaching degree, but am in a different profession now. I believe that the fundamental difference is that psychology and psychiatry were traditionally male occupations.


Society still doesn't see or value the contributions made in women dominated industries generally. Once this is appreciated, the glass ceiling will be easier to shatter.

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My DD's psychologist teaches her coping techniques...


Along with her psychiatrist is what kept her safe and alive. Priceless.... in saying this I don't have to pay anything for her sessions as she is in with the state health team. Now they are true heroes :)


My psychologist started to bulk bill me due to covid and DH being stood down and reduced rosters as we thought we might have lost our house. Thankfully the banks have been kind.

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Julie3Girls

I’m fortunate that we were able to afford the fees when my dd needed it. Gp has recommended it for me, but I can’t justify the cost.

It’s all true .. they have the years of study, they have the business overheads etc. I know that the physiologist sitting there isn’t getting $200+ In her pocket for the 50 minutes that my daughter is there.

And yes, they charge what the market can bear - given how hard it is to get an appointment, she has no shortage of people willing and able to pay.


But I really feel for the people who need this, who CAN’T afford it.

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But I really feel for the people who need this, who CAN’T afford it.

 

Indeed, this is the real problem, and why mental health care should be properly subsidised, or free. I know there is some free mental health care available, but so many people would benefit from a psychologist and cannot access free or subsidised care.

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Overheads, insurance, tax, etc. It all adds up.


I think psychologist have 6 years training, too.


If you think psychologists charge a lot, try psychiatrists.

 

Yep,


Most specialists charge approx $200 for 15mins.

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How much did you pay at the GP to get the referral, put of interest? I was charged $130 with a $70something Medicare rebate for my last 'long' consult, which was less than 20 mins. That would work out about the same price for 50 mins of a psychologists time.


And to be accurate - any good psychologist won't just listen to you whinge. You can go to a much cheaper general non registered counsellor for that. A psychologist has 6 years of specialist training to educate and upskill you. If all your psychologist is doing is listening you should find a new one.


Also FYI - there are many, many psychologists in the education and public health sector. They get paid the award wage, same as anyone else.


Efs

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Overheads, insurance, tax, etc. It all adds up.


I think psychologist have 6 years training, too.


If you think psychologists charge a lot, try psychiatrists.

 

6 year MINIMUM training. 7-8 if you do a doctorate or PhD. And there's a ridiculous 2 tier Medicare rebate system that means that unless you do another 2 years of supervised practice (which we often have to pay for ourselves) we can only EVER call ourselves general psychologists (even if we've worked in our field for decades) and can only ever claim the lower Medicare rebate.

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I think one of the aspects is that you spend a whole hour there. Unlike other professionals such as a dentist where a check up is like ten minutes.

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My psych is $190, I get $128 I think back from Medicare so it's around 65 oop, she gives me perspective when I need it, solutions when there are some, empathy when there's not, and probably a whole bunch else I can't really articulate. Plus, an hour with no kids that just for me. I think it's a pretty good deal. Though, I do worry about those that can't afford $65+ oop for sessions, there really should be more options for those on low incomes to access what really is an essential health service for many

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StillFreddiesMum

For our family an experienced, qualified psychologist has been worth their weight in gold. We pay $200 for our DD's psyhologist - I think we get about $80 back from Medicare. I am damn thankful for getting any money back !


I strongly disagree with Badcat. Everyone in business charges $$ for their work and experience and expertise and time. Call out a plumber or electrician to your place to fix something and there's a call out fee and then another fee to fix what's broken. Go to see a doctor or medical specialist or lawyer - they have done years of training to get their qualifictions (and then ongoing training) plus pay for their own overheads - rent / staff / insurances. I know that the OB who delivered our daughters had to pay for insurance for 20 years after he stopped work in case anyone sued him during that time.

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Kiwi Bicycle

Is there such people has therapists nowdays? People who are trained as counsellors but have not done the full degree? That you go to just talk through things? Like marriage counsellors?

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There are counsellors of various ranges of qualifications and there are also mental health trained social workers, OTs, and nurses the last group can be accredited by Medicare as well

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I think some people in this thread need a reality check as to how much psychs earn compared to their own jobs.

Teachers, govt workers etc probably aren't on dissimilar money to psychs.

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I am an OT in private practice, self employed, and charge around that amount. After expenses, my taxable income is still under $100k and I have been an OT for 23 years.

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I think if there is an accessible public system then it’s not so important what private practitioners charge.


So IMO it’s the lack of alternative services which are the problem

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I think if there is an accessible public system then it’s not so important what private practitioners charge.


So IMO it’s the lack of alternative services which are the problem

 

People don't generally realise that the creation of NDIS cause a mass defunding to many paediatric allied health services. Lots of NFP's or state funded services suddenly had programs scrapped and now no one can access public speech therapy, behavior management, physio etc without an NDIS plan. So many kids have issues without having a diagnosis though. Stuttering is a big one. As is low muscle tone.

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Like with anything medical - we need to question the government on why the medicare rebate is so low. It hasnt changed In years despite increase in costs for everyone.

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