FAQs

  • For all new clients please see this page and form.

    Ongoing clients have access to a client portal to book appointments online when suits them both online and in-person (Mornington Consulting Rooms)

  • A Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) is required for clients wishing to access Medicare Benefits. However, I do accept clients patients privately if they prefer. Please use MBS codes 80110 and 91170 (individual) and 80112 and 91177 (family and carer, in relation to child’s treatment).

    Madeline Black Sonder Peninsula Psychology PO Box 3001, Mornington 3931

  • Mental Health Care Plan (Medicare)

    With a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) from your GP, the out-of-pocket cost is:

    • Initial appointment (50 min) $148.45

    • Subsequent appointments (50 min) $133.45

    These fees include the current Medicare rebate of $101.55 for eligible psychology services (effective 1 July 2026).

    If you have reached the Medicare Safety Net for the calendar year, you may receive a higher Medicare rebate, reducing your out-of-pocket costs.

    Private Fees

    Clients are welcome to access our services privately without a Mental Health Care Plan.

    • Initial appointment (50 min): $250

    • Subsequent appointments (50 min): $235

    Pricing is guided by the recommended fee schedules published by the Australian Psychological Society (APS) and the Australian Association of Psychologists Incorporated (AAPi). The recommended fee of $340 for a standard 46–60 minute psychology consultation remains substantially higher than our fees. We have made a deliberate decision to keep our private fees below the recommended rate to support greater access to psychological care while maintaining a high-quality, sustainable service.

    NDIS Fees

    We welcome self-managed NDIS participants. Appointments are charged in accordance with the NDIS Pricing Schedule and are billed at the current NDIS price limit of $252.99 per hour (effective 1 July 2026).

  • No. You can certainly see a psychologist privately.

    However, if you would like to access a Medicare-rebate for your psychology sessions, you will need a valid referral from a GP for a MHCP

  • 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.

    At of 1st July 2026, the rebate amount is approximately $101.55 per session.

    If you have reached the Medicare Safety Net for the calendar year, you may receive a higher Medicare rebate, reducing your out-of-pocket costs. You can check your Medicare Safety Net status through your myGov account or by contacting Medicare.

    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 or upload in the consent form through the client portal. If you don't have a MHCP, then the full-fee is applied. ​

    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.

  • In an effort to streamline our appointment system Sonder Peninsula Psychology has implemented a credit-card policy for appointments.

    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 have a 50% deposit at the time of booking.

    Subsequent appointments will be processed in full by your practitioner after appointments through Stripe our secure online payment system. If funds are not available on the credit card on file at the time, an invoice will be emailed to be paid within 7 days, or prior to next appointment if sooner.

    Sonder Peninsula Psychology will process Medicare rebates after appointments and full payment has been processed for eligable clients.

    Your appointment is specially reserved for you. Advanced notice is appreciated for cancellations or rescheduled appointments so that we can offer another client an appointment.

    Late cancellations (within 48 hours of appointments) will be charged 50% of the scheulded appointment, unless we are able to replace your appointment with another client. Non-attendance or cancellations within 24 hours of appointments will result in a full fee charge. If funds are not available on the credit card on file at the time, an invoice will be emailed to be paid within 7 days, or prior to next appointment if sooner. Medicare rebate is not available for late cancellations or no-shows.

    Any in-person appointments can be changed to telehealth with short notice to avoid late cancellation fees. Please email madeline.sonder@gmail.com directly to arrange.

    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 above payment terms.

    Sonder Peninsula Psychology does not offer a bulk billing service.

  • Some private health funds do cover psychological therapy, however you need to find this information out directly from your private health fund/policy. They may inform you how much you may get back and what your budget for psychological services may be. If your service is covered by private health, your invoice will still need to be paid in full on the day of your appointment and claimed back through your insurer.

  • Sonder Peninsula Psychology is committed to protecting your privacy and the confidentiality of your personal and health information.

    What information we collect

    We may collect personal and health information including:

    • Contact details

    • Referral information

    • Relevant medical and psychological history

    • Assessment results and treatment records

    Why we collect information:

    • To provide psychological services

    • To communicate with you and your referrer (if applicable)

    • To meet legal, ethical, and Medicare requirements

    How your information is stored

    Your information is stored securely using encrypted electronic systems. Access is restricted to the treating psychologist.

    Disclosure of information

    Your information is only shared:

    • With your consent

    • When required or authorised by law

    • Where there is serious and imminent risk

    • For mandatory reporting purposes

    Access and correction

    You may request access to, or correction of, your information by contacting the practice.

    Complaints

    Privacy concerns may be directed to the Principal Psychologist Madeline Black (madeline.sonder@gmail.com). You may also contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC).

  • Feel free to reach out directly for any additional questions not answered here

    madeline.sonder@gmail.com