Frequently Asked Questions

Telehealth services are usually provided through videoconferencing technology. You do not need special software on your phone or computer.

Here are some suggestions for a smoother experience:

• Ensure you have reliable internet connection from your location. If there are reception issues that compromises teleconferencing quality, Jacinta may opt to call your direct phone number instead to discuss options for how best to continue.
• It is preferable to complete your telehealth Assessment Interview on a desktop computer, laptop, or tablet screen that can be positioned comfortably for the duration of the interview (2-3 hours).  Please ensure your device has ample battery life.
• It is best to connect from somewhere other than lying in bed if you can. If you live with health conditions that make bed your safest place - we respect that.
• Try to minimise distractions from family members and pets. Find a secure, quiet place where you can log on to your device. Be mindful of whether others can overhear you, and always alert your psychologist if your level of privacy changes (for safety reasons). 
• If you're comfortable doing so, try using headphones with an in-built mic to reduce background noise and preserve privacy. Most standard head phones and bluetooth ear buds these days have a microphone within them. 
• Try to be online 10 minutes before your appointment to check for any technical or reception issues. You can find the link to your telehealth session in your appointment confirmation email. 
• For all telehealth sessions, you're welcome to have a drink and fidget items with you. You are not required to maintain eye contact with your psychologist through your webcam if this causes you discomfort. 
• For Assessment Interviews and Feedback sessions, you're welcome to include a support person for part or all of the session if you would like. You can choose to include them in the conversations or they can remain silent if you prefer. You can decide how you feel on the day. 
• You are welcome to mute your microphone or pause your video stream if you need to.  We ask that you please keep Jacinta informed of your needs, which you can also do via  typing into the Chat Box during the telehealth session. 
• For Assessment Interviews, you will be encouraged to take short breaks to move around, visit the loo, get a drink, do some singing, check your phone, or whatever else you need to do to feel refreshed.

 In Australia, psychologists must be registered with the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA) and listed with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). 

They must have a minimum of six years of university training, engage in ongoing professional development and education, and adhere to strict ethical standards. Dr Jacinta Thomson has completed post-graduate degrees in a Masters of Clinical Psychology (MClinPsych) and a Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (Ph.D.), which is why she is recognised as a Doctor. 

If you are unsure about a registered health practicioner, you can check the national register here.  

Autism reports prepared by Dr Jacinta Thomson may be used to submit an initial application for NDIS funding if there are indicated difficulties in your day-to-day functioning that meet eligibility criteria.  Keep in mind that ADHD is generally not accepted as an eligible primary disability for NDIS purposes. 

Please let Jacinta know up front if you are considering an application, as this will influence her writing style (that is, from more strengths-based / neuroaffirming tone to one more focused on the medical model / disability).  Here are some examples of the differences. 

Decision-making processes within the NDIS are outside of our control, and so we cannot guarantee the success of your application., in that you will receive funding as a result of submitting our report.

To help your chances of a successful application, you might also connect with an Occupational Therapist who can complete a  'Functional Capacity Assessment' . This can provide a more comprehensive overview of any functional impairments and support needs that you have as a result of living with your disability, which can inform the NDIA with assessing and planning your package. 

You can reach out to Carers QLD here for guidance with your NDIS application process.

Please get in touch regarding other report needs.

Please call Jacinta's friendly admin on (07) 53569344 to enquire or book in for sessions on Wednesdays or Thursdays in Maroochydore, Sunshine Coast (QLD). Location details can be found here.

Please note that assessments are currently only conducted online through videoconferencing, and usually done on Mondays.

 The APS National Schedule of Recommended Fees 2024 has set the standard consultation fee for a clinical psychologist at $315 per hour.  However, Jacinta charges less than this at $250 per standard 50-60 minute session. 

If you have a valid Mental Health Care Plan and referral, you are eligible to access rebates on up to 10 sessions with a psychologist in a calendar year.  The Medicare rebate is currently $141.85. That means, the average out-of-pocket expense per session is $108.48. Jacinta accepts DVA card holders with an eligible referral. 

Jacinta is not registered as an NDIS provider but can see some NDIS participants (not agency-managed clients). Participants are required to pay the full standard rate of $250 per session and claim their own reimbursement from NDIS. Given that the current NDIS price guide sets the maximum rate for a clinical psychologist at about $223 / hour, this leaves a gap fee of $27. Please contact admin to learn about our payment processes and determine whether this is right for you. 

Fees are subject to change at one annual review.

How long is a piece of string? And a tangled one, at that? 

It is impossible to say how many therapy sessions you might need before you have met with your psychologist for one or two sessions to provide an overview of the areas of your life in which you would like some help. Some people like to dip 'in and out'' of briefer courses of therapy, whilst some benefit more from regular sessions (e.g. fortnightly) over the course of months or longer. The frequency, intensity, and trajectory of your therapy plan will be informed by your treatment goals and level of motivation, mental health and/or neurodevelopmental conditions, previous responses to treatment, perferred therapy modality (e.g. CBT vs. Schema Therapy), financial / funding resources, and yours and your psychologist's availabilities. 

Dr Jacinta Thomson will always be transparent with you in weighing up these factors and ensuring you have informed choice every step of the way. It's also completely okay to start on one path with therapy and change your mind about your  therapeutic needs at any point. And if you decide that Jacinta might not be the best fit for you, she'd be happy to support your transition to another psychologist. It's important to find the right 'vibe' with your health care professionals. 

The average ND assessment requires 10-15 hours of work for a psychologist. Psychologists have to review referrals; collate information from referring health practitioner(s); send and score a variety of questionnaires from both the client and specified informant(s) (e.g. parent, spouse, friend, employer); undertake assessment interview session(s); review, compare, and analyse the information collected between these different sources; investigate any potential co-occuring conditions; prepare the report summarising findings and clinical opinions, and; discuss the results with the client during a Feedback session and notify other relevant stakeholders of the outcomes. 

In 2024, ND Assessments will be pre-set at:

• $1800 for Adult ADHD (paid in 2 instalments) 
• $1800 for Adult Autism (paid in 2 instalments)
• $2250 for Adult ADHD and Autism (paid in 3 instalments)

Fees may be subject to change depending on the most appropriate and ethical assessment plan to meet your needs. Fees for other clinical psychology assessments and reports can be discussed. You will be provided with a written quote if the scope of your referral exceeds the allowances covered in the pre-set rates above.  Reports will be available 2-4 weeks after your assessment interview. Reports are typically 15-30 pages long. 

Please be sure to the read full terms and conditions in our Client Consent and Service Agreement forms.  

Supervision fees are consistent with Jacinta's standard clinical rate ($250, incl GST per 50-60 minute session). Email for any enquiries. 

Cancellation fees are difficult for us all, but they are not personal. We know that sometimes life happens! Here's a fabulous post by 'Very Helpful Chat's' on how cancellation fees fit within the neuroaffirming treatment model. 

When appointments are booked, your psychologist has reserved the time especially for you (whether or not you show up). A late cancelled appointment is a loss to 3 people: the client who is losing the opportunity for their session; another client who is sitting on the waiting list to see the psychologist urgently, and; the psychologist who has spent time preparing for your appointment and still has to pay overheads for the vacant hour. The cancellation fee is about helping the psychologist to cover minimum costs for continuing to operate that hour, because if they have to cover it themselves (out-of-pocket) it becomes very difficult to sustain a viable small business. Thanks for understanding! 

48-Hour (2 business days) Notice Requirement

We require a minimum of 48 hours’ (2 business days) notice to reschedule or cancel an appointment.

Because our email isn't manned all the time, please call us on 07 5356 9344  during business hours Monday to Friday, to make any changes to your appointment. If your appointment is on a Monday, please make sure to notify us by the equivalent time of day on the preceding Thursday. If your appointment is on a Tuesday, please let us know by the equivalent time of day on the preceding Friday.

Cancellation Fees

• Less than 24 hours (1 business days) notice: If you cancel or fail to attend an appointment without providing at least 24 hours notice, you will be charged 100% of the usual fee. Longer appointments (e.g., assessments) will be charged at the hourly rate, pro rata for the time allocated.
• Less than 48 hours (2 business days) notice: If you cancel or reschedule an appointment with between 25 - 48 hours notice, you will be charged 50% of the usual fee.

Please be aware that most funding services such as Medicare, DVA, and private health insurers do not cover late cancellation or non-attendance fees. As the client, you would be responsible for these charges and they will be automatically billed to the card on file.

Pre-paid Session / Deposits Policy

Pre-paid sessions and deposits are non-refundable. However, they can be transferred to a rescheduled appointment if you provide at least 48 hours’ (2 business days) notice.

Again - please remember that weekend and public holidays do not count towards the two business days, as we are unable to use this time to work on offering your appointment to other clients to fill the spot.  

Cancellation policy is subject to change without notice. 

 Contact your private health insurance provider to find out if they offer part rebates for psychological consultations. 

 Clinical psychologists have undergone specialist masters education and are trained in the assessment and diagnosis of complex mental illnesses and psychological problems. They are typically qualified to provide advice in clinical and compensation areas.  

You can learn more about the different endorsement areas in psychology via the Australian Psychological Society website. 

Psychologists are unable to prescribe medications. 

Medications are typically prescribed by your general practitioner, paediatrician, or psychiatrist. To access psychostimulants for ADHD you will be required to see a psychiatrist who will want to review your history (and usually - our assessment report), confirm your diagnosis, and can decide about commencing a medication trial. After a few appointments, your psychiatrist may be happy to transfer your medication management back to your GP. Jacinta has strong working relationships with psychiatrists and can help you access the medical support you need. However, we cannot guarantee that you will be prescribed medication as a result of our diagnostic process and report.  

Use this site to help find a psychiatrist to match your needs. 

While individuals may have physical, cultural, or psychological differences, it is often the social environment itself that contributes to the experience of disability by failing to accommodate these differences. Dr Jacinta Thomson strongly values inclusion and equal access to health care services for all Australians. Please contact admin@timetountangle.com.au to discuss whether Jacinta's services provide the most appropriate scope for your assessment needs. 

Wherever possible, informed consent is always sought from the individual and where this is not feasible consent is sought from the person’s legal representative. People with disabilities have the right to refuse to consent and withdraw their consent at any stage.  

At the current time, Dr Jacinta Thomson does not offer assessments for intelligence or intellectual disabilities, giftedness, communication disorders (e.g. language disorder, social [pragmatic] language disorder, speech sound disorder etc), specific learning disorders (e.g. dyslexia, dyscalculia), movement disorders (e.g. stereotypic movement disorder, developmental coordination disorder), tic disorders, or acquired neurocognitive disorders (e.g. resulting from a brain injury, substance use, epilepsy etc). 

 Our service agreement (with informed consent and privacy information) can be accessed here. 

Absolutely not.

We see this as someone who has done a great deal of work on trying to better understand themselves and their needs. What a wonderful self-advocate you are! 

We often have people presenting for therapy or assessments with folders of autobiographical information, school projects, school reports, daily journals, financial records, hospital discharge summaries, excel spread sheets detailing evidence for their neurodivergent characteristics and how these might match up with DSM criteria, collections of self-report screening test results, letters from past or current health professionals, messages from past or current partners, and even vision boards. 

Jacinta has a strong appreciation for details, and specifics, and respects that you are the expert on you! So don't be embarrassed to bring or share any records  of your experiences to help Jacinta get to know the real you. You may choose to share a little, or all, of your prepared resources, depending on how comfortable you feel to do so.  Please note that copies of any resources shared (e.g., via email) will be saved into your secure clinical file. If there is a wonderful abundance of background information, Jacinta might ask for your input on how to prioritise the most important pieces. 

On the flip side - there are no expectations at all to present with any of the above sources of background information. Jacinta will help you unpack your experiences as they relate to your therapy or assessment goals, and she will ask you to search for more specific documentation if required. 

The short answer, is no. 

The 'gold-standard' assessment measures for ADHD and Autism that Jacinta uses are protected by copyright and only able to used by suitably qualified clinicians. Psychologists have a professional and ethical obligation to protect psychological tests and test material from being compromised or misused (Code of Ethics, B.13.6), so actual test records are unable to be released to clients. 

It is important to manage expectations up front. An assessment does not guarantee a diagnosis of any sort. 

We feel you! It is understandable if paying a fee upfront for your assessment is worrying without being able to read some reassuring testimonials from previous clients. 

Unfortunately, the Psychology Board of Australia does not permit psychologists to use testimonials for advertising of their regulated health services. This legal requirement was developed by the National Board under section 39 of the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law 2009. Section 5 explicitly states ('What is unacceptable advertising?') that “advertising of services must not … use testimonials or purported testimonials …”

This holds true for private practitioner's websites, as well as soliciting for Google and other public reviews. 

Although we are confident that you won't need to pursue any of these steps, here are some other tips to ease your concerns:

• Check the current registration and qualifications of our principal psychologist Dr Jacinta Thomson by searching AHPRA's register of practitioners here. AHPRA maintains a complete list of the registration status of all practitioners, including details of any restrictions, conditions, or bans. 
• AHPRA is also responsible for receiving and handling complaints about psychologists operating unethically in Australia. If you had any concerns about the service you receive from Time to Untangle or any other allied health professionals, you're welcome to submit your concerns here.  
• You can also make a complaint to the Office of the Health Ombudsmen QLD here. 
• Read the business policies well before deciding if Time to Untangle Clinical Psychology is the right fit for your assessment or therapy needs. The expectations for you, as a client, and us, as a business, are clearly outlined here, so we won't encounter any surprises in the course of our arrangement. 
• If you're still feeling trepidatious about our integrity, quality of services offered, or complaint channels, feel free to call or email us any further questions and we can even organise a brief phone or video call to help ease your mind. 

If you ever start to feel dissatisfied with the service you are receiving at Time to Untangle, we absolutely welcome your feedback as soon as possible so we can work with you to make it an affirming and meaningful experience. 

Excellent questions.

It does not refer to manipulating actual rope or string into any form of knot or un-knot (in the physical sense). No boating or Scouts experience required here!

The notion of untying metaphorical knots in our minds has been used extensively in the history of psychotherapy to represent a process of freeing oneself from barriers to achieving success and welbeing. 

As Jean Toomer said:

"We learn the rope of life by untying its knots". 

Untying, or untangling "knots" may involve a semi-structured sequence of behaviours (e.g. therapy) where you explore the physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, relational, occupational, financial, and/or environmental experiences that make you who you are today and identify which ones are holding you back in life. A psychologist will then help you work through these problem areas towards towards empowered positions of acceptance and/or change. 

Why do we feel tied to, and inhibited by these metaphorical knots? 

Another great question. 

Pain, heart break, loss, criticism, disappointment, and failure are inevitable elements of the human experience. However, we all hold prejudices in the way we perceive and respond to these experiences, which can be called 'Schemas'. These schemas behave as a sort of 'lens' through which we see ourselves and the world, and they tend to repeatedly bias our information-processing, snap judgements, self-concept, and decisions. 

Over time, we get stuck (tangled) in problematic patterns of thinking, feeling, relating, and reacting (i.e. knots). We can try to make changes to help break the cycle (e.g. separate from an abusive patrtner), but if we aren't addressing the parts of the rope that feed into the knot (e.g. family of origin issues, trauma, low self-worth) and out the other side (e.g. drug or alcohol abuse, emotion dysregulation, social isolation), then we run the risk of taking the knot with us (e.g. into the next relationship). We run the risk of feeling increasingly tangled, stuck, and hopeless. 

We typically aren't able to just "cut out" our knots, or problems, and carry on. But we will learn new skills to carefully maneuver the rope and release some of it's bulk so you can move beyond it. 

And I like to think it's Time to do this work for yourself so you don't regret delaying it down the track. Ever waited to see a physiotherapist about an injury many months or years after it first surfaced? Oops! Yes, me too!