Blog Post by Sabina Nowak, member of NBP’s Admin Team.
Around the world – the need for psychology services has been growing to unprecedented levels, even before the COVID Pandemic hit. North Brisbane Psychologists has tripled its size since 2019 in an effort to meet demand (while not compromising on quality service), and it saddens us that we are unable to help everyone in need.
We understand that it takes courage to make that first call to ask for help. Especially if stress has reached a crisis point and you want to see someone as soon as possible. We also understand that you may have spent time looking at our practitioners, imagining who you might feel comfortable opening up to, only to find out they are not taking on new clients or there is a lengthy wait. And this might not be the first time you have gone through this!
We have prepared this blog post to provide you with tips to best get the support you need during this busy time.
If you are in a crisis or otherwise in urgent need, you can seek help at the Metro North Acute Mental Health Care team on 1300 64 22 55 or other services on our crisis referral list and other support links.
Work out what is most important to you and be as flexible as possible with the lower-priority preferences:
- Do you need a particular type of therapy practice?
- Do you have an unusual or complex mental health issue or psycho-social disability?
- Do transport issues mean you can only attend one of our locations?
- Is the client a child?
- Are you looking for couples counselling?
- Do you need services eligible under Medicare, WorkCover, EAP, NDIS or DVA?
- Do you need to book appointments around inflexible work or carer responsibilities?
- Do you have a strong preference for the age or gender of your practitioner?
- Are you wanting someone who has been recommended by your GP or a friend?
Each of these choices will impact on who you are able to see, when appointments are available and how long you may need to wait.
To make an appointment, call the Admin Team on 07 3726 5595. If we are busy, leave a message or send an email and we will get back to you as soon as we can. We regret we cannot make appointments via email because in the time it takes for emails back and forth, the appointments are taken. Exceptions for hearing impaired and otherwise abled people who are unable to communicate via telephone.
We can guide you through who has the best availability to support your specific needs. Sometimes, we can advocate on your behalf to a psychologist who may be uniquely suited, find appointments that are not on the Online booking system, or add you to a practitioner’s waiting list. If we really are unable to book you into your preferred practitioner, we can also suggest who is most able to help you out of our skilled team of psychologists and counsellors.
Book as many appointments as you think you will need in advance. For optimal care, it is best to have a series of appointments relatively close together. Even though your initial appointment may be several weeks away, we suggest you book a block of appointments so you won’t have to wait so long next time. This is especially important if you need appointments at particular times (e.g after work or on weekends). If you are feeling better or change your mind, you can cancel them without penalty (as long as you give us more than 24 hours notice).
Ask your practitioner or the Admin Team to add you to our dynamic waiting list. We send out waiting list emails to fill cancellations as soon as possible. Keep an eye on your emails and respond to any waiting list emails as soon as possible. Note that your place on the cancellation list usually expires in 5 weeks, or when you have your next scheduled appointment. Please let us know if you have an urgent need, want to be on the list for longer, or wish to be removed.
Appointments are precious!
If you are unable to attend an appointment or have decided to attend another practice, please let us know so we can offer your place to someone else. If you don’t arrive for your appointment or cancel at the last minute, it means someone else has missed out on much needed help. If you want to cancel an appointment, it may take a while to reschedule. You may wish to consider changing an appointment to telehealth if it means you don’t miss out.
All of us at NBP are working hard to balance the needs of new clients with our responsibilities to existing clients.
If you have any questions the Admin Team will do our best to help.
Email: info@northbrisbanepsychologists.com.au
Phone: 3726 5595
Website: https://northbrisbanepsychologists.com.au/
While you are waiting…
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