For Patients:  Book your appointment online – selecting Telehealth or Clinic Location  

•  Telehealth  and  Face-to-face appointments are available.
• You can also request to speak with Dr Sonia Zammit to have a confidential discussion about your individual needs and referral options.
• See your General Practitioner for eligibility for care plans and rebates. Ask  for referral copies to be faxed to (03) 9957 8121.
• A copy of your referral must be brought to your first appointment. Please ensure the referral is addressed to Dr Sonia Zammit – Choices Mind & Body.
• We will contact you within one week of first contact or referral receipt.
• We apologise if there is a delay in time until your first appointment. If the waiting period  is too long, please let us know and you can request a list of alternate referral options or online support options
• See Frequently Asked Questions for common queries related to accessing support and first sessions.

For GP’s:

Please assess if patients are eligible for a Better Access Mental Health Care Plan, Chronic Disease Management Plan, TAC, or work cover referral or NDIS

• Address referrals to Dr Sonia Zammit, Choices Mind & Body.
• Please fax a copy of the referral to (03) 9957 8121 and provide a paper copy for client to bring to the session.
• All new appointments are screened by Dr Zammit to ensure appropriate treatment is accessed by clients.
• Clients will be contacted within a week of first contact or referral being received and advised of any wait times.

For Better Access Mental Health Care Plan/Review:

• There must be a reference stating referral to a psychologist as part of this plan.
• Ensure referring GP’s provider name and number, client contact details, and date of the referral are clearly detailed.
• Please state the type of referral – Mental Health Care Plan, Review, Eating Disorder Managment Plan, Chronic Disease Management Plan
• Please state the number of sessions client is being referred for (up to 6 on mental health care plans or reviews).
• A paper copy of the plan should be signed.

Dr Zammit is committed to working with GP’s to ensure clients receive the best possible treatment outcomes. You will be provided with a progress report following the first assessment if deemed necessary or requested. Reports are provided following the 6th and 10th session for Better Access referrals, to communicate significant change in presentation or risk issues, and following termination of treatment. Please do not hesitate to contact Dr Zammit directly for an update on client progress at any time, or to advise of any concerns or treatment recommendations.

Information for GP’s about Better Access Scheme, referral requirements, Medicare item numbers, and telehealth services can be found here: https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/organisations/health-professionals/topics/education-guide-better-access-mental-health-care-eligible-health-professionals/35591

For Allied Health & Corrections:

• Please encourage your client to see their GP to assess for eligibility to any Medicare Rebates or Funding sources to support access to treatment.
• You can support your client to make their first appointment by being present with them when making the first contact.
• We request to speak directly with a client prior to booking a first appointment to ensure we immediately develop a context which supports their autonomy and right to make choices in their treatment.
• You can also forward a client’s referral from their GP, and any supporting documents or support letters you may have with the clients consent – referrals can be faxed to (03) 9957 8121.
• You can provide information to facilitate the referral, however psychologists are unable to confirm attendance to treatment or speak with you regarding client treatment without first obtaining consent from the client directly. This includes for corrections officers who are encouraging clients to seek voluntary or mandated support.
• It may be helpful for you to obtain written consent from your client when you are facilitating the referral to open up communication immediately. This will need to be forwarded to the psychologist prior to any disclosure of information.

Please note: court reports and support letters are not provided as part of standard treatment under a Mental Health Care Plan. Clients need to discuss this directly with the psychologist and additional fees for reports may be charged.

For Family & Other Supports 

At Choices Mind & Body, we believe individuals have the right to make decisions regarding what treatment choices are appropriate for them. Therefore, we require contact with the individual seeking support prior to booking a first appointment.

We understand family and supports may be concerned regarding someone’s mental health and safety. You can contact us to enquire about the best way to support someone to access treatment. It may be helpful for you to encourage the individual to be with you when you make the call. Contact Dr Zammit directly to discuss.

Contact with their GP is often a good first step to access support. The GP will be able to assess if the individual is eligible for any Medicare or funding support to access treatment. You may be able to help them attend an appointment with their GP. You can also support the person seeking treatment by forwarding their referral and any further documentation with the person’s consent by fax to (03) 9957 8121.

Visit the Crisis Support page if you are concerned about the immediate safety of the person seeking treatment.

You may be invited to attend a treatment session with the psychologist to support the person seeking treatment. However the psychologist will require consent from their client prior to this occurring and this includes first appointments.

Due to privacy laws, psychologists are bound by strict confidentiality restrictions which do not allow us to discuss an individual’s attendance, diagnoses, or treatment with another person without an individual’s consent.

There are a few circumstances when someone is at immediate risk of harm to themselves or to another person and this is when confidentiality can be breeched without an individual’s consent. If you believe a circumstance falls within this context, please feel free to contact the psychologist and they can guide you further on the call.

We understand that parents and guardians of youth clients may be concerned regarding their children’s safety and behaviour. Please remember that as psychologists, it is our ethical obligation to also ensure the immediate safety of our clients is attended to. For youth clients, it is common for parents to be present during some consultations and we appreciate your support. However it is often necessary for a psychologist to also meet individually with your child. Please do not hesitate to speak with the psychologist regarding any concerns.