Policies & Procedures
1. Intake Policy
Clients contact Laura Peterson Psychology (LPP) either via email, phonecall or enquiry form on the website. Referrers can also contact. Intake enquiries are responded to within 48 business hours and the following information is initially imparted (where the client has contacted via email enquiry from LPP website, the following items a-c are sent via email with option to follow up with a triage phonecall where suitable. As LPP reply email sometimes gets lost in client junk mail folders, a brief text message stating LPP has replied is sent):
a. Current availability status: LPP current waitlist estimate.
b. Consulting hours.
c. Session fee
d. If the client is under 18, enquiries are made about the age of the client. If the client is under 15 they are excluded and recommended elsewhere (see below).
e. Enquiry is made as to how the client heard about LPP. Exclusion is considered if the client;
I. Is a family member of a known client (“known” being worked with currently or in the past)
II. Is a housemate of a current client
If the above suits the client intake procedure continues:
f. The client is asked to provide a brief description of their intake. Exclusion is considered if;
I. The clinical issue appears to be more suited to a state service eg CAMHS, an Eating Disorder service or the ED in the case of risk.
II. The clinical issue or request does not match LPP expertise; LPP does not provide
- ADHD or Autism assessments,
- educational or learning difficulty assessments
- reports or assessments for court, juvenile justice or family court or workcover
III. The presenting issue includes indicators around forensic/justice factors or family court factors.
G. The outcome of LPP recommendations are discussed with the following options;
I. The client is provided an assessment appointment; a time is scheduled and they are emailed the LPP first appointment and registration letter. The letter includes:
- details of the first appointment,
- referral information required,
- link to complete the LPP registration form,
- session fee and rebate information,
- ways to contact LPP including parameters (eg no emergency service provided)
- informed consent checklist
- link to this page on the LPP website so the client can review the policies, procedures and treatment information.
II. Where there is no current availability and it is clinically suitable based on the information provided, the client is placed on the waitlist (see “waitlist policy”).
III. The client is advised to seek alternative consultation. Other private services that I recommend include; PsychSpan, Coburg Clinical Psychology.
2. Informed Consent Policy
Upon registration clients are required to tick “yes” to indicate they understand and agree to participating in psychological assessment and therapy. Confidentiality is explained and clients are required to indicate they understand and agree. Issues around confidentiality and duty of care for those who are aged under 18 is also explained and clients are required to indicate they agree. The information provided to patients upon registration is as follows:
As part of providing a psychological service to you, I need to collect and record personal information from you that relevant to your situation, such as your name, contact information, medical history and other relevant information as part of providing psychological services to you. This collection of personal information will be a necessary part of the psychological assessment and treatment that is conducted. The psychological service provided is bound by the legal requirements of the Australian Privacy Principles (2014) (APP) and the Victorian Health Privacy Principles (HPP).
Your personal information gathered as part of your assessment and treatment in kept securely and, in the interests of your privacy, only used by your psychologist, and the authorised personnel of the practice (as necessary) and any authorised service provider in accordance with the practice’s policies and procedures. Your personal information is retained to document what happens during sessions and enables the psychologist to provide a relevant and informed psychological service to you. Information needs to be obtained to meet the legal requirements of the APP and HPP. If you do not wish for your personal information to be collected in a way anticipated here, I may not be able to provide the psychological service to you. All personal information I gather during the provision of the psychological service will remain confidential except when; 1. It is subpoenaed by a court or disclosure is otherwise required or authorised by law or; 2. Failure to disclose the information might place you or another person at serious risk to life, health or safety, or; 3. Your prior approval has been obtained to a) provide a written report to another professional or agency, b) discuss the material with another person, c) disclose the information in another way or d) disclose to another professional or agency (eg your GP) and disclosure of your personal information to that third party is for a purpose which is directly related to the primary purpose for which your personal information was collected. Remembering that regular contact between myself and your referring practitioner is a standard part of the Medicare scheme if this was under which you were referred. The clinical aspects of your information, de-identified, might be disclosed within a clinical supervision context as part of my obligation and commitment to continued professional reflection, consultation and development. Your personal information is not disclosed to overseas recipients, unless you consent or such disclosure is otherwise required by law. Your personal information will not be used, sold, rented or disclosed for any other purpose. If unauthorised access, disclosure, or loss of a clients personal information occurs, I will activate my data breach plan and use all reasonable endeavours to minimise any risk of consequential serious harm. This confidentiality agreement applies throughout the extent of our work together.
Upon registration clients are required to indicate that; they consent to this information policy; they understand that when the client is aged between 15-18 the same confidentiality conditions apply, and parents will be informed of the treatment as necessary and by mutual arrangement; and that they understand that when the sessions are being paid for by a third party (eg parents), given the financial accountability, that party will be informed of any scheduling changes and late cancellations or a discussion will be held with the client about this.
3. Privacy policy for management of personal information
As outlined in the consent information above, the confidentiality of personal information is managed in accordance with the APP and HPP. Personal information is considered strictly confidential except where exclusions apply as required by law and outlined in the consent information. Clinical information - de-identified - can be presented in the context of clinical supervision and consultation as part of professional practice and in line with the AHPRA core competencies for Psychologists.
If you have a concern about the management of your personal information please inform Dr Laura Peterson. Upon request, you can obtain a copy of the Australian Privacy Principles, which describe your rights and how your information should be handled. If you wish to lodge a formal complaint about the use of, or access to, your personal information, you may do so with either the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner on 1300 363 992 or the Health Complaints Commission on 1300 582 113.
4. Data security and record storage including data breach plan.
All information is stored electronically via a secure website only accessible to Dr Laura Peterson. Hard copies of information such as referral letters and questionnaires are stored in a locked filing cabinet.
5. Responding to requests for confidential information, transfer of records, subpoenas and other legal requests
Requests for sharing information need to be made in writing to drlaurapeterson@gmail.com and include signed consent by the client. Where the client is under 18 and/or it has been previously arranged, and where the person seeking sharing of information is a caregiver, limited information can be given with the client’s verbal consent.
6. Social media policy
LPP does not utilise social media in any form.
7. Electronic communication (email, text, fax, secure messaging) policy
LPP communicates with clients via email and text message. Reminder messages are sent automatically through the file management software “Halaxy”. Argus (secure messaging) and digital fax is used in communication with health professionals. Referrals or reports can also be mailed to the consulting rooms.
8. Management of at-risk behaviour (suicide and self-injury)
a. Psychiatric risk: Where clinically indicated, risk assessments take place to ensure psychological and physical safety. This assesses for suicidal or deliberate self harm ideation, plan, intent and history. Risk assessments occur ongoingly where indicated; if someone endorses risk experiences or their clinical picture changes the assessments will occur more frequently.
In the instance that further safety precautions are required, these include:
I. establishment of a safety plan and guarantee of safety
II. establishment of check ins to monitor safety
III. establishment of a safety network (others to assist) and sharing of safety plan including ways to reduce risk (eg behavioural mitigations factors like safe storing of sharp materials); the involves breaching confidentiality (see X).
IV. referral to Emergency Department in the case of very high risk where safety factors are unable to be enforced or have shown lack of efficacy.
B. Medical risk (eating disorders); Risk management procedures are followed to monitor physical risk indicators in someone suffering from an Eating Disorder (please see this guide from the Centre for Excellence in Eating Disorders). If the protocol indicates need to urgent/emergency medical review and the client does not have an imminent GP appointment they will be referred to the Emergency Department.
9. Use of psychological questionnaires and other testing materials
LPP utilises the following questionnaires both of which are non-mandatory and fully explained to the client prior to application;
a. The Young schema questionnaire (Revised edition) in the case where schema therapy is indicated
b. The EDQ where relevant
c. The strengths questionnaire where relevant
D. pre and post intervention questionnaires may be used where relevant
10. Work health and safety
a. The clinic building maintains regular building safety checks as per standards including occupancy and fire regulations
b. LPP does not conduct meetings off-site; home visits and meetings at other services/schools are not in policy. In the case where multiple services are meeting off-site and LPP attendance is required, LPP will consult via video. This follows policy and ensures clients are not charged for travel time.
c. LPP attempts to avoid conducting first appointment sessions with unknown clients in-person and after hours; telehealth sessions will be offered.
d. Regarding Covid-19, hand sanitiser is provided in the waiting room and clinic room. On the pre-appointment reminder message clients are asked not to attend the clinic in-person if they are experiencing any cold/virus symptoms whether or not they have tested positive for Covid-19.
11. Waiting list policy
LPP applies consideration to placing clients on the waiting list. As per Intake policy, clients are placed on the waiting list if;
a. On triage there is no clinical indication of psychiatric risk (risk of harm to self or others due to psychiatric factors) or clinical indication of low risk which is well supported
b. There is a regular GP involved
c. Re-referral is offered and encouraged
c. The client is aware of the estimated wait time and is prepared to wait rather than be re-referred
During the pandemic and due to the high demand, the LPP waiting list extended beyond 3-months. It is anticipated that waiting lists of this length will be avoided. Where the estimated wait time extends beyond 3-months, books will be closed and clients will be referred on or asked to return to their GP.
12. Inactive client policy and return clients
Where clients have not made a new appointment and a follow-up plan has not been discussed clients will be sent one text message prompting them to re-engage after 2-3 months. If they do not respond their file will be closed (status “discharged”) and their GP will be informed that they are not in current contact. In the case that the client re-contacts they are usually able to be seen again however if the time between sessions has been more than 1 year they will be placed back on the waiting list.
13. Fees
Session fees are payable at the time of the appointment and the Medicare rebate is processed overnight.
From Jan 1 2025 the following fees apply:
Standard consultation (50 minutes duration) for people with full-time paid employment: $220.00 per session
Standard consultation (50 minutes duration) for students aged under 18 or those who do not have full-time paid employment: $200.00 per session.
The current Medicare rebate with an appropriate GP referral (under the “Better Outcomes in Mental Health” scheme) is $141.65 per session for, in most cases, up to 10 cases per calendar year.
Access to the rebate is the client’s responsibility. Please inform Laura as soon as possible if there is some difficulty receiving the rebate, or contact Medicare. Whilst every effort will be taken to inform clients of their rebate status, Laura Peterson Psychology is not responsible for clients’ rebate eligibility.
Reports or letters required outside sessions will incur a $50 fee.
A cancellation fee of $100 applies for sessions unattended or cancelled on the same day. If cancellation occurs more than 24 hours prior to the session, no fee applies.
In the event of a fee increase clients will be notified by email and options will be discussed where necessary.
LPP carries a small capacity to bulk bill on a discretionary and time-limited basis.
14. Discharge and file closure policy
Discharge occurs due to inactivity (see #12 “Inactive client policy”) or the agreed-upon end of clinical treatment. Where the end of active work comes within a referral period (the client still has active sessions left on their Medicare referral), the referring GP is informed of formal discharge via letter.
15. Treatment and clinical protocol policy:
Assessment can take anywhere from 1-3 sessions and clinical risk indicators or urgent needs may take precedence before treatment/intervention recommendations. Where the client is a young person (aged 18 or under) and still living at home a single session assessment as a first assessment session will be recommended. This is a 90-minute session where the young person attend with the parent/s or guardians they live with and the entire assessment aims to take place within this timeframe. For all other cases treatment recommendations are provided following assessment (1-3 sessions).
a. For formal referrals the following administrative protocol is followed;
I. referrals under the Medicare Better Outcomes scheme; the GP receives a letter upon assessment (outlining clinical assessment and recommendations), session 6 (review), session 10 (review/discharge) and discharge. In order to receive rebates from Medicare clients are required to obtain the necessary letter of referral and review (after session 6) from their GP.
II. referrals under the Medicare Eating Disorder Plan (EDP); For clients referred to LPP under the EDP it is expected that they will engage a dietician (for atleast one consult but preferably ongoing) and pursue a psychiatric referral for the obligatory 20-session psychiatric review under the EDP (proactivity around this is important as psychiatrists have long wait lists for this review). It is also expected that they will maintain very regular contact with their GP or as medically recommended. If no psychiatrist is engaged LPP will recommend to the client and the GP that this be proactively considered.
- The GP receives correspondence from LPP upon assessment and at the 10th, 20th, 30th and 40th session (where GP re-referrals are required). The initial assessment letter to the GP may contain information about medical management of eating disorders if requirement of this is indicated.
- Where there is a dietician involved ongoingly LPP will endeavour to maintain regular email contact with the dietician and ideally the GP.
- Where required LPP can provide a referral information letter for the psychiatric review (but GPs need to formally refer).
- Upon assessment for an eating disorder, and ongoingly where indicated, LPP will conduct a medical risk assessment (within the boundaries of the profession) following the CEED Physical Risk In Suspected Eating Disorders Mental Health Clinician Response Guide.
III. For referrals under the Medicare Enhanced Primary Care Plan (EPC; 5 sessions) the GP will receive a letter after session 5.
b. Recommendations based on assessment and treatment protocols are outlined in the “Treatment protocol and patient information” section below.
Treatment Protocol & Patient Information
I. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive-behavioural therapy is a well-known and evidence-based treatment for general mental health conditions. It is based on the idea that thoughts, feelings and behaviours are linked. Therapy focuses on identifying these and focusing on managing them differently. This can include cognitive challenging or reframing, behavioural modification or exposure, or relaxation strategies for nervous system activation.
II. Enhanced Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT-E)
Cognitive-behavioural therapy for eating disorders, otherwise known as E-CBT, CBT-E or Enhanced CBT is a 20 session model aiming to achieve regular eating (defined as 3 meals, 3 snacks, 3 hours apart per day) and to address other psychological issues inherent to eating disorders; body image, body checking, dietary restraint and use of the RAVES model (Regular eating, Adequate portions, Variety of foods, Eating socially and Spontaneous eating), where the eating disorder is related to coping with moods or events, managing the “mindset” of EDs, perfectionism, low self-esteem and interpersonal problems. Part of the program involves being weighed regularly and having contact with medical support team. CBT-E is not recommended when there is co-morbid depression or major life events/trauma, substance use or a previous unsuccessful attempt at CBT-E.
III. Adolescent Focused Treatment (AFT)
Adolescent Focused Therapy (AFT) is a known treatment for Eating Disorders and has been studied around Anorexia Nervosa (AN). For young people (aged 13-24) it has the second-best success rate for recovery after Family Based Treatment. The following information is an excerpt from “Adolescent Focused Therapy Treatment Manual” by James Lock:
“AFT is an individual approach to the treatment of Anorexia. The core tenants of AFT are that AN behaviours serve to help the adolescent face or manage developmental challenges that they have not been able to resolve successfully with other tools. The goal, then, is to utilise the therapeutic relationship to leverage change, develop skills, enhance coping, and engage in social and emotional exploration of the self. The course of treatment is approximately 1 year of outpatient therapy which occurs in three phases:
Phase I. During this phase the focus is on developing a strong relationship between the therapist and the adolescent. Understanding the adolescent’s culture, community, thinking and relationships is critical to understanding the role that AN plays in the adolescent’s life and beginning to identify the skills necessary to overcome the challenges of adolescence. The therapist develops an understanding of the role eating disorders play in areas of the adolescent’s life such as managing social relationships, and how this impacts separation from parents or development of independence skills. The goal during this stage is not only developing a shared understanding of challenges and strengths but also communicating the importance of weight gain and meal normalisation to achieve physical recovery in addition to psychological recovery. While most meeting are with the adolescent alone, parent sessions (without the adolescent present) also occur to better understand family perspectives and work on developing some shared goals and understanding around AN. This is particularly important as family support is critical not just in overcoming illness behaviours but also in helping keep the adolescent on a more typical developmental trajectory in later treatment.
Phase II. During this phase, the focus is on continued relationship and caring, although the emphasis shifts somewhat toward targeting specific areas of development that the adolscent and therapist have identified as critical to overcoming AN. Examples of skills include helping adolescent manage their motivation, develop independence skills, negotiate different viewpoints, separate from their families, develop environments that are healthy for them, and manage emotions. Furthering psychological development is critical during this time, and sessions allow the adolescent to practice new behaviours and learn new skills. Parent sessions continue, without the adolescent present, in order to continue to gather and share information relevant to supporting the adolescent. Focusing on continued weight gain and meal normalisation are also critical, with expectations of healthy eating and self care behaviours underlying each session.
Phase III. During this final phase, the therapist and the adolescent work together to develop skills for true independence. This phase includes termination from therapy, making plans for moving forward, and issues related to relapse prevention and coping with future challenges. The goals of this final stage of treatment are to help the adolescent think about who they are becoming and see the steps and challenges they will face in the future, while making sure that eating disorder behaviours are not part of their future.”
IV. Schema therapy
Schema therapy is a psychotherapeutic modality developed by Jeffrey Young and colleagues and is gaining usability due to its clinical results in studies and ease of accessibility. It follows the theory that each of us develop underlying core beliefs - based on experiences throughout our development - that enable the developmental of “schemas”. Schemas are defined as unconscious automatic interpretations of the world around us which, over time, guide how we relate to it and ourselves. The tenant of schema therapy is that our psychological management of the schemas has become maladaptive and the way our system is trying to respond to our protect us from schema activation is presenting as a wellbeing symptom. You can read more about this is Young and Klosko’s book “Reinventing your life” where schemas are referred to as ”mindsets” and some of the schemas are explained. In terms of clinical data, schema therapy has good results for efficacy in the areas of mood disorders and Eating Disorders. Schema therapy could be used in conjunction with AFT and is seen by some theorists as a deeper adjunct to CBT.
V. Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and Radically Open Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (RO-DBT)
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) is a renowned psychological therapy, usually applied via a combination of group and individual work, aimed at addressing mental health experiences around emotional or behavioural dysregulation. The program constitutes a range of skills including emotional regulation (eg managing strong feelings), interpersonal effectiveness (getting needs effectively and sustainably met via interpersonal communication and building positively meaningful relationships), behavioural dysregulation (eg impulsive behaviour), cognitive dysregulation and conflict (eg thought styles and walking the middle line where multiple truths exist) and self-regulation (identity confusion and emptiness). DBT can be useful for people experiencing a loss of control over their emotions, behaviours or sense of self. One example of a beautiful DBT strategy is around the use of acceptance to manage strong emotions; acceptanceinvolves relating to the physio-emotional activation differently (ie integrating and appreciating what your body is telling you and why it is right to feel compassionate towards the response) and cognitively appreciating that opposing truths can exist at the same time (the idea being that emotional dysregulation occurs around the inability to hold competing truths, as our system usually likes certainty). Laburnum Psychology in Melbourne run DBT groups and are worth looking up if you are interested.
Radically-Open DBT (RO-DBT) is a newer version of this program which address those managing life at the opposite end of the regulatory continuum: “over-control”. This is associated with anxiety/obsessiveness, perfectionism and restrictive or rigid behavioural patterns. The RO-DBT approach focuses on emotional openness and social connectivity. This model holds that emotional restraint and rigidity, based on a low fear threshold, can lead to a perpetual low level of nervous system arousal. This in turns affects our micro social signalling, creating a cycle of tension which impacts our social connections and experience of the world. RO-DBT works towards reducing physiological tension, increasing social-signalling awareness and working towards a more emotionally open coping style.
VI. Compassion-Focused Therapy
Compassion-Focused Therapy utilises the idea of drive systems within the mind (fear/disgust, excitement/achievement and self-soothing) become unbalanced in emotional health conditions. Therapy approaches wellness via strengthening ideas around self-soothing, accessible via self-compassion (itself understood through an experience of giving and receiving compassion).
VII. Eating Disorders
- LPP applies intervention for Eating Disorders informed by CBT-E, schema therapy, Interpersonal Relational Therapy, DBT-E, RO-DBT, CFT and where applicable AFT as described above
- Involvement in treatment for an Eating Disorder is linked to the following recommendations which in some cases will be non-negotiable;
* the client maintain regular and ongoing medical review with a GP or paediatrician (if under 18)
* the client obtain dietetic consultation
* If referred under an Eating Disorder Plan, the client needs to be actively seeking psychiatric consultation (eg being on waiting lists for psychiatric review)
* When the young person is an adolescent and still living at home, gold standard intervention and care for an Eating Disorder is via Family-Based therapy. LPP does not work with individuals in this age group where they still live at home and FBT has not commenced or been trialled. Where a family have engaged in partial FBT treatment a high level of consideration will be held regarding the validity of commencing individual treatment when evidence-based treatment has been withdrawn.
There is a useful amount of general, educational and beginner-interventional information about eating disorders available on the Centre for Clinical Interventions website here.
VIII. Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and other anxiety disorders
CBT and schema therapy are the main therapies drawn from in treatment for anxiety conditions at LPP. Some useful educational and beginner-intervention information can be accessed via the Centre for Clinical Interventions website on anxiety here and worry (often associated with GAD) here.
IX. Depression and depressive disorders
CBT and schema therapy are the main therapies drawn from in treatment of depressive conditions at LPP. Some useful educational and beginner-intervention information can be accessed via the Centre for Clinical Interventions website here.
At all times LPP strives to act within the core competencies of the profession of psychology as governed by AHPRA. The policies and procedures above are set out to provide a framework for clinical assessment and intervention. Occasionally and for clinical or logistical reasons, discretion can be applied to many (but not all) of the policies and procedures outlined here. If you have any concerns or anything you wish to discuss that has arisen from reading this page, please contact LPP.
Last updated: June 2025