Do I need a referral to see a counsellor?

No. You can book directly with Mind Over Matters without a GP referral. However if you would like to access Medicare rebates you will need a Mental Health Care Plan from your GP before your sessions begin.

How much does counselling cost?

Medicare rebates are available with a Mental Health Care Plan from your GP. NDIS funding accepted for self-managed and plan-managed participants. WorkSafe Victoria and TAC registered. Private health rebates may apply. Self-funded sessions available. Contact us for current fee information.

How long is a counselling session?

Standard sessions are 50 to 60 minutes. Initial assessment sessions may be slightly longer.

Is telehealth counselling as effective as face-to-face?

Research consistently shows telehealth counselling produces comparable outcomes to face-to-face therapy for most presentations. Many clients find it easier to engage honestly from their own environment.

What is the difference between a counsellor and a psychologist?

Both provide talking therapy and mental health support. Psychologists hold AHPRA registration and attract higher Medicare rebates under a Mental Health Care Plan. Counsellors hold qualifications through bodies such as ACA or PACFA and provide therapeutic support across a wide range of mental health presentations. The right fit depends on your specific needs.

How do I get a Mental Health Care Plan?

Book a longer appointment with your GP and ask specifically for a Mental Health Care Plan. Your GP will assess your needs and if appropriate prepare the plan. Bring it to your first appointment or send it in advance. A Mental Health Care Plan gives you access to Medicare rebates for up to ten individual sessions per calendar year.

Is everything I say in counselling confidential?

Yes, with specific legal exceptions. Everything discussed in counselling is strictly confidential. The exceptions relate to situations involving risk of serious harm to yourself or others, and specific legal obligations. Your clinician will explain these in your first session.

Do you offer telehealth counselling?

Yes. All Mind Over Matters services are available via secure telehealth to clients across Victoria and Australia. Face-to-face sessions are available in Swan Hill, Victoria.

Frequently Asked Questions | Counselling | Mind Over Matters

Frequently Asked Questions

Person using a paintbrush to create a red question mark on white paper.

We support individuals, couples and families from ages 16 and beyond. We accept people of all cultures, backgrounds, neurotypes, religions & gender identities.
We also welcome those who may require interpreter services, which can be arranged prior to your appointment.
Our office is located in Swan Hill, Northern regional/rural Victoria.
We see many people in person from the Mallee region, such as from locations such as Kerang, Lake Boga, Robinvale, Wycheproof, Sea Lake or even as far away as Echuca & Bendigo.
However, we provide Telehealth Australia Wide. therefore, your location is no barrier to treatment.
You do not require a GP referral to access counselling at Mind over Matters if you are a private fee paying client, or if a service provider (such as Corrections, Child Protection or a Community Service Agency) are providing funding for your counselling sessions. You also do not require a referral if you are accessing our counselling services through a NDIS Plan, or private health insurance.
If you obtaining a Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP so that you can access Medicare rebates, you will require a referral from your GP. Your GP usually sends this to us on your behalf (See below)
A Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) allows you up to 10 partially rebated counselling sessions through Mind over Matters under the Better Access Health Initiative through your GP.
See here for steps on how to access a MHTP at Mind Over Matters:
Referral details for your GP:
40 McCallum Street, Swan Hill, Vic, 3585
0436 965 284
info@mindovermatters.com.au
http://www.mindovermatters.com.au
Referrals can be emailed to us directly, or uploaded to our website portal via the Contact us page.
Our fees as of June 1, 2026 are:
General Counselling Sessions (50 mins): $185
NDIS therapy: as per the current NDIS Price Guide 202 5-2026
EMDR Therapy: Initial Assessment (90 Mins) $225
Ongoing EMDR Sessions (60-75 Mins) $200
Are Medicare rebates available?
Those who have a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) are able to gain a Medicare rebate that provides up to 10 partially subsidised counselling sessions through Mind Over Matters.
The current Medicare rebate is $89.50 per session.
Bulk Billing
We understand some may not be in a position to pay full fees due to experiencing financial hardship. However, as we are a private practice, we are no longer able to offer bulk billing. There are a range of public funded options available locally and nationally for a range of supports for mental health. E.g Headspace or Local health services. We will always assist you with options to find affordable or zero cost support that you need where available.
A growing list of private health funds including Bupa, HCF, St Luke's, and Teacher’s Health, provide rebates towards Therapies provided by Mind Over Matters.
If you are unsure, please contact your private health fund for more information prior to booking in with us to determine the rebate you may be eligible for.
Our therapists are registered with a continually growing number of schemes.
NDIS.
We provide NDIS services to self-managed and plan managed Participants. You, your carer/family, your Service Coordinator, or LAC can contact us directly to request supports.
You will be required to provide us with your NDIS participant number and plan details, alongside the contact details for your Plan Manager upon registration.
Currently, we provide NDIS supports under the following Capacity Building categories:
- Assessment Recommendation Therapy or Training – Social Worker - 15_621_0128_1_3
- Finding & Keeping a Job - Employment Related Assessment & Counselling – 10_011_0128_5_3
You are also able to access Mind Over Matters counselling if you have funding from any of these services.
These include;
- Worksafe Victoria
- Department of Veteran Affairs
- Transport Accident Commission
- Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS)
*We can only accept FAS referrals if sessions are paid by the client upfront and they seek reimbursement directly with FAS.
Mind over Matters Confidentiality Policy:
At Mind Over Matters, we prioritise your privacy and the confidential nature of the information you share with us. All communication before, during, and after your sessions will be kept private and secure. However, there are certain limits to confidentiality that you should be aware of:
·       Safety Concerns: If there is a serious concern for your safety or the safety of others, especially in cases where a child may be at risk of serious harm, we may need to disclose information to ensure safety.
·       Legal Obligations: If there is a legal requirement for us to report information related to your involvement in, or knowledge of, a serious crime, we are obligated to comply with the law.
·       Court Orders: In the event of a court order requiring us to provide information about you, we must fulfill that obligation.
·       Third-Party Requests: If you request that we share information with a third party, we will do so only with your informed consent.
All records and notes from your sessions will be securely stored in a location accessible only to authorised personnel. Your trust is vital to us, and we are committed to safeguarding your information. We utilise Halaxy as our health platform to store your information. Halaxy is one of the world’s leading health information management systems and trusted by GPs and health professionals across the globe.
Privacy Policy:
A privacy policy is a legal document that outlines how our organisation, Mind Over Matters, collects, uses, and safeguards personal information. It serves to provide transparency to our users about our data practices and ensures compliance with applicable privacy regulations.
You can find our detailed privacy policy [here]
Feedback and Support at Mind Over Matters:
At Mind Over Matters, we are dedicated to delivering exceptional service to our clients. Your feedback is invaluable in helping us enhance our offerings, processes, and communication. We encourage you to share your thoughts, whether it’s a compliment, a suggestion for improvement, or an issue that needs resolution.
How to Provide Feedback
- Direct Feedback: We encourage you to let your individual therapist know any concerns or feedback you have.
- If you feel more comfortable, you can provide feedback via email on: info@mindovermatters.com.au
- You can also submit your feedback anonymously if you prefer by sending your thoughts to:
  Mind over Matters
  40 McCallum Street
  Swan Hill, VIC, 3585
  We also encourage you to leave a google review
Additional Support for NDIS Clients
If you are an NDIS client and need assistance with providing feedback, you can contact the NDIS Commission for support. Their contact details can be found on their website: http://www.ndiscommission.gov.au Additionally, you can reach out to your NDIS Service Coordinator for help. The National Disability Advocacy Program is also available for support, and their website is http://www.dss.gov.au
We will attempt to resolve all concerns and respond to feedback within 2 business days.
Thank you for helping us improve our services! Your voice matters at Mind Over Matters.
Cancellation & rescheduling policy
Rescheduling: Where possible, we will attempt to reschedule your appointment, if requested, with at least 24 hours’ notice prior to your session time at no cost to you.
Cancellation: Clients cancelling/rescheduling within 24 hours of their scheduled appointment are required to pay 100% of their scheduled appointment fee.
Those who fail to attend their appointment, will also be required to pay 100% of the scheduled session fee. There are no cancellation fees if more than 24 hours notice is provided.
Use of AI Disclosure:
Mind Over Matters utilises NovoNote, a secure and encrypted platform that converts the audio from our consultations into clinical summaries. NovoNote allows us as clinicians to focus more thoroughly on treatment during sessions, as opposed to manual note taking.
When completing your initial intake form, or in your first session, our team will ask for your consent. You have the right to withdraw your consent at any time.
Our AI note taker produces a transcript of the session and then is deleted, and does not make up part of your patient file. Audio recordings or your name are not saved.
For further information on NovoNote’s security measures and protocols, please see their security page: www.NovoPsych.com.au/NovoNote-Security