Frequently Asked Questions

In Australia the health profession of Psychology is highly regulated, whilst the profession of Counselling is not a regulated health profession. Psychologists are highly trained in mental health, with six year's psychological training at university and in clinical placements, where they reach competency in ethics, communication skills, interventions, assessments, working across the lifespan, working with a diverse population of clients, psychometrics and research evaluation. Psychologists use evidence-based interventions such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Solution Focused Therapy and Motivational Interviewing (MI). Psychologists are registered as health professionals through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulatory Authority (AHPRA), specifically through the Psychology Board of Australia (PBA).

Counsellors often provide support within immediate and practical life issues such as processing grief or anger, helping the client identify options when making important personal or professional decisions, or building better interpersonal or communication skills. A counsellor might work with a client to learn how to better manage conflicts in relationships or to clarify his or her values on a particular topic. Counselling is typically short-term. On the other hand, Psychologists provide support to those who have mental health diagnoses.

When you arrive you will be made comfortable, and the Psychologist will explain to you what the session will entail, that the session is confidential and private, and will encourage you to provide the information that you feel comfortable to do so. This is in-line with the APS 'Charter for Clients of APS Psychologists'. Such information will consist of a clinical interview, this is where the Psychologist collects only relevant information about your history throughout the years, your family relationships, times of strength and struggles, your coping skills, your current difficulties and motivation etc. You might find that there will be lots of questions, but remember, you can choose to not answer the questions if you feel that they are too probing or not appropriate, just let your Psychologist know and they will move onto other questions. The idea of all of the questions is to build a holistic picture of where you are at currently, and what has brought you to see the Psychologist. During the initial assessment, you might also find that your Psychologist uses some questionnaires about things such as your current stress levels, your quality of life, mood, behaviours, thought patterns. These are to further build the Psychologist's understanding of how they might be able to help you.

At the end of your sessions with your Psychologist, you might find that they provide you with handouts such as activity diaries, thought diaries, behaviour monitoring or mood monitoring. These are extremely helpful to be completed in real time, either through completing the handout, keeping a note on your phone, or using a similar app to the handout. So, rather than seeing this as homework, instead, reframe it as you putting in the time to work on self-exploration and wellbeing improvement. Often, it is the in-between session work that makes the majority of the difference to people's wellbeing. It is not always the case that the aha moments, always occur in the therapy room. Keep an open mind to doing in-between session self-care work.

This is easy, just email dr.rachael.haynes@gmail.com, ideally with 48 hours notice of the cancellation, and she will respond with some alternative dates and times for you to reschedule. The 48 hours allows other people to see Dr Haynes, to book into the newly available appointment.

Alternatively, use the contact form on this website to let her know of the cancellation.

All Australian Psychologists are required to adhere to the Australian Psychological Society (APS) Code of Ethics. This code states that all client information, including supervisee's and students of Psychologists, will remain confidential and private. There are a few rare limitations to this code of ethics, whereby information can be requested by a third party via a Court Subpoena. Further, if a person is at risk of harm to self or others, then confidentiality and privacy can be breached by the Psychologist to ensure duty of care to the person or to Society. Such breaches are rare and are thoughts through with extreme care, and legal assistance is provided through the Psychologist's insurance company and the APS, prior to such decisions being made.

Confidential records are kept on encrypted Psychology software and are kept for seven years for adults, and are kept until a child becomes age 25 years old.

Rachael supplies a range of cognitive testing, in particular adult ADHD assessment and Autism Spectrum Disorder assessments. Please contact her to discuss your requirements and to obtain a quote for this service.

Rachael is trained in child therapy, having provided therapy to many children across her years of working as a Psychologist. Rachael specialises in child anxiety, and utilises a range of CBT child specific techniques to assist children in reducing anxiety such as separation anxiety, school avoidance, social anxiety, generalised anxiety, OCD and phobias. Rachael blends play therapy, art therapy, psycho-education, behaviour modification, CBT and parent involvement to reduce children's anxiety symptoms and to improve their wellbeing.

Parental involvement is particularly important in your child's therapy. You will be invited to assist in the initial assessment with your child, and will be asked to complete some questionnaires from your perspective as a parent. Please feel free to bring any school reports, Paediatrician reports or any other documents that you feel the Psychologist would benefit from seeing. During treatment planning, you will be asked to collaborate, together with the child and the Psychologist, and will be updated about how the therapy is going, and will be provided with coaching by the Psychologist to assist your child with the techniques that they are taught by the Psychologist. Practice outside of the therapy environment is the most powerful to aiding your child's recovery. To find out more about what happens in child therapy, read Rachael's blog 'Explaining Child Therapy'.

Rachael has been approved by the NDIS Commission to supply therapeutic support to children from the age of 7 to 65 yrs old. She is able to support NDIS participants who are either self-managed or fund-managed.

Yes, of course. Rachael has a number of options available. As she works from a residential clinic, there is plenty of space to set up a picnic rug to sit out in the fresh air for the therapy session. Alternatively, Rachael has an external patio, with fans to keep cool by, and there is a table, chairs and a lounge as well, with wifi access for any computer records/handouts/rebooking appointments.

If you prefer, Rachael can also organise a 'walk and talk' session, to occur in the local New Beith area. Just let Rachael know your preference. Children tend to really enjoy their sessions being outside.

Yes, Rachael is able to support you in your application for your Disability Support Pension (DSP). This process usually takes around three to six months of attendance with Rachael for psychological therapy, so that she can undertake a fully assessment, clinical formulation and treatment planning and therapy to aid you in your DSP application.

For bookings/re-bookings of appointments, yes, Rachael is available by email or use the contact form from this website.

If there is an emergency, please contact the relevant service, whether it be 000 for an ambulance, Lifeline on 13 11 14, your GP, or your local mental health team. MH CALL (1300 642255). This mental health access line is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and will link to the caller's nearest Queensland Public Mental Health service.