Overview of Innovate's psychological counselling services

Why do people come to see us for counselling?

People see psychologists for all kinds of reasons. Sometimes, people have a specific problem they want help in solving. For example they might be feeling anxious or depressed, have a relationship difficulty, have a drug or alcohol problem, be experiencing conflict with others, be feeling confused about a life event, have a suspected learning problem, have problems related to eating or diet or be experiencing difficulties dealing with a past or recent trauma, just to mention a few.

At other times, people come to see psychologists, not because they have a specific “problem” per se, but simply because they want to improve their performance in some area, or manage themselves and their lives more effectively. For example, somebody might want to improve their study skills, time management, improve their motivation, get help with public speaking skills, learn how to understand people at work or improve their relationships.

Who will I see?

There are four psychologists who work at Innovate Psychology and Education.

Kirrilie Smout

Kirrilie is a registered Psychologist and a full member of the Australian Psychological Society. She has a First Class psychology Honours degree and a Masters degree in Clinical psychology, both awarded from Flinders University of SA. She has worked as a psychologist for ten years in a variety of settings, with a variety of client groups.

Kirrilie takes an eclectic approach as a clinical psychologist, working with people with anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, and work problems among many others issues. She also works as a trainer and speaker on different topics including youth issues, stress management, study skills, dealing with difficult people, coping with anxiety and depression among many other topics. Although Kirrilie works with people of all ages, she has a special interest in working with youth and young adults.

Kirrilie has been conferred with a number of awards, including an Australian ambassadorship to the Barcelona Olympic Games in 1992, an Australian Psychological Prize in 1995 and the South Australian National Speakers Rising Star award in 2000. She is regularly consulted by print, radio and TV media in relation to psychological issues and has numerous articles published in a variety of newspapers and journals

Sonia Harrison

Sonia is a registered Psychologist and a member of the Australian Psychological Society. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of South Australia, a Post-Graduate Diploma in Sports Psychology and a Masters degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Western Sydney. Sonia has also had training in mediation & conflict resolution.

Sonia works with people of all ages and has a special interest in youth and young adults. During her Masters studies Sonia conducted research in the area of emotional intelligence, coping and academic performance, and is currently a member of a multi disciplinary research team developing and implementing treatment for young people with psychostimulant use problems.

Sonia has worked as a psychologist in a variety of specialist settings including people with disabilities, anxiety disorders, depression, post traumatic stress disorder and substance use problems. Amongst other issues Sonia also works with people to address life issues such as relationship and school difficulties, improving confidence and enhancing personal performance. Sonia takes an eclectic approach as a psychologist with an emphasis on mindfulness-based therapy for enhancing psychological health and creating  a rich, full and meaningful life.

Sonia is about to start maternity leave and is not currently taking on new clients.

Matthew Smout

Matthew is a registered Psychologist, a full member of the Australian Psychological Society and the College of Clinical Psychologists.  He has a First Class psychology Honours degree, a Masters degree in Clinical psychology, and a Doctor of Philosophy degree all awarded from Flinders University of SA.  He has worked as a psychologist for eight years in a variety of settings, with a variety of client groups.

Matthew adopts a pragmatic behavioural analytic approach as a clinical psychologist, and has worked in specialist settings with people suffering difficulties with substance use, anxiety, depression, gambling and psychosis among other issues.  Matthew convenes the Adelaide Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Case Discussion Group and has provided training workshops and individual supervision to clinicians in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Motivational Interviewing.  Matthew co-authored an article rated among the "10 most significant for 2002" by the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry and has conducted research into psychological treatments for amphetamine use.

Penny Sih

Penny is a registered Psychologist and a full member of the Australian Psychological Society.  She has a First Class Psychology Honours degree from Flinders University and a Masters degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Adelaide. During her studies, Penny was conferred the KPMG Prize for Psychology and published and presented research on psychological outcomes for children in various care arrangements and an evaluation of a parenting program.
Penny has always been passionate about working with young people and their families and has a talent for connecting with young people.  She has worked as a psychologist for five years with children and teenagers in a variety of settings including Children, Youth and Family Services, Community Health and the Department of Education and Children’s Services.  Her role in the Education Department included providing professional development and support for teachers around strategies for working with challenging behaviours and promoting the social and emotional wellbeing of their students. Penny has undertaken extensive professional development on childhood and family issues.  
Penny draws on a range of evidence-based frameworks as a clinical psychologist, including Behavioural Interventions, Family Systems Theory, Parenting Strategies and Attachment Theory. Penny works with young people around a variety of issues including social and emotional wellbeing, challenging behaviour, school issues and building positive family and other relationships.

  

What will happen at the session?

First, you won’t be lying on a couch! We have casual and relaxed rooms which are designed to make people feel comfortable. We will talk to you about what you are hoping for from the sessions, ask you about your ideas about your problem and start to talk with you about how you might deal with it.

Our philosophy is NOT that we have all the answers about exactly how to manage your life (wouldn't that be nice!).  We believe instead that we are all on a journey and none of us "have it made".  But with our study and experience we often have some thoughts about what seems to work for people, and what doesn't.  We also are experienced in helping people identify for themselves what it is they want to change - and then we can look at ways that might help that happen.

People have different reactions leaving first sessions but most commonly people feel a bit relieved - and a bit drained (it can be tiring to talk about yourself for nearly an hour).  We encourage people to take it easy after leaving the session. 

How long will the session last?

Usually about 50 minutes. For educational learning assessments, these take longer, up to 2 and half hours. We generally ask people to arrive 10 minutes early for their first appointment in order to fill in a brief form. We then ask people to arrive a few minutes early for each appointment after that. We run appointments strictly to time wherever possible

When are appointments offered?

Our psychologists offer appointments at different times during the week.  We understand it is not always possible to get time off work or study to come to appointments and therefore offer after hours appointments wherever possible. 

Where are the sessions held?

There are two locations for counselling. 

Suite 3/16 Bartley Crescent, Wayville. This is a modern, 2 storey office environment with easy street parking.

Shop 3, Hub Professional Centre, Aberfoyle Park.  This is a suburban centre 25 minutes south of the city in modern and comfortable rooms. 

Matthew conducts sessions at both Wayville and Aberfoyle Park, depending on where the client prefers.  Kirrilie only sees clients at Aberfoyle Park and Penny only sees clients at Wayville.  Sonia is not currently taking on new clients.

What about fees?

The Australian Psychological Society recommended rate is currently $200 per session. However this practice charges $157.45 per session.  We accept cheque, cash or VISA/ Mastercard/EFTPOS payments.  Clients are able to obtain rebates via private health cover or via Medicare, for details read below.

Private Health Cover

Many private health funds do offer a rebate on psychological consultations. If applicable, please contact your own health fund for information about their rebates. As a rough guide, many health funds offer between $50-80 back from a psychological consultation.

Medicare

Psychological services are now partially covered by Medicare.  If you are referred by your GP (or psychiatrist or paediatrician) then Medicare will cover $112.45 of the fee, meaning there will be a gap of $45.00 for the client to pay.  This gap cannot be claimed on private health cover. 

For clients on a health care card, we will charge a gap of $15.00.

The practice policy is for clients to pay upfront, however we have a "Mediclear" system whereby we will immediately reimburse the Medicare portion of the fee into the clients savings or cheque account.  Alternatively, if the client prefers they can take their invoice to Medicare directly and be reimbursed in cash.

Kirrilie, Sonia, Penny and Matthew are all registered as Medicare-approved Psychologists.  Please call our office if you have more questions about the Medicare process. 


Information about Confidentiality

Information disclosed to a psychologist is confidential. This means the psychologist will not reveal, to any other person, any information about the client, or reveal that the client was seeking psychological assistance, unless they have the express permission of the client.

There are two rare exceptions to this general rule. First, if failure to disclose information may result in clear danger to the client or to another person, the psychologist may disclose minimal information necessary to avert risk. Second, if the psychologist believes a child or teenager may be or have been subject to physical, sexual or emotional abuse or neglect, psychologists must by law report this to appropriate authorities.

Special Notes about Confidentiality for Adolescent Clients and Parents

When working with an adolescent the same limits of confidentiality apply. In other words, unless the adolescent or another person is at risk, information disclosed by the adolescent will not be revealed to any other party, including parents and guardians, without the express permission of the adolescent. However, in most cases, all reasonable efforts will be made to obtain the agreement of the adolescent to involve and discuss information with parents and/or guardians on an ongoing basis.

Making Appointments 

To make an appointment with one of our psychologists, please call our office on 08 8357 1711.  Please understand that because the psychologists are often in sessions with clients, and also because they work from two different sites, you will often not be able to speak to one of the psychologists when you first call.  Instead, a receptionist will take your name and telephone number and one of the psychologists will call you back within 24-48 hours to set up an initial appointment with you.

 

Innovate Psychology and Education, (08) 8357 1711