Question 1

Is this therapy or skills training?

Accepted Answer

It's a skills training group. Sessions are structured around learning and practising DBT skills rather than group discussion of personal history.

Question 2

Will I have to talk about personal experiences in front of everyone?

Accepted Answer

No. You won't be asked to share your history with the group.

Question 3

Is this full DBT?

Accepted Answer

Not quite. This is a 10-week DBT skills program. A comprehensive DBT treatment program typically also includes individual therapy, between-session phone coaching and a clinician consultation team, none of which are included here. You can continue seeing your existing psychologist or therapist alongside the program.

Question 4

Do I need Borderline Personality Disorder to participate?

Accepted Answer

No. DBT skills are useful across a range of difficulties involving emotions, distress and relationships.

Question 5

What happens if I miss a session?

Accepted Answer

This is a closed 10-week group and your place is reserved for the full program. Make-up sessions aren’t available, and a Medicare rebate can’t be claimed for a session you didn’t attend.

Question 6

Can I keep seeing my existing psychologist?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The program runs alongside any individual therapy you already have. Medicare group therapy services are counted separately from your individual Better Access services.

Question 7

Do I need a GP referral?

Accepted Answer

Not to enquire or complete screening. If you wish to claim a Medicare rebate, you will need an eligible referral for group psychological therapy. See the fees and Medicare section for details.

Question 8

What if I've reached my Medicare Safety Net?

Accepted Answer

You may be eligible for a higher Medicare benefit for eligible sessions. Because this program runs late in the calendar year, some participants have already reached, or are close to, their Extended Medicare Safety Net threshold. The amount depends on your individual position and the applicable benefit cap — check yours through Medicare or myGov before enrolling.

Question 9

Can I claim Medicare?

Accepted Answer

Eligible participants may be able to claim Medicare rebates for attended sessions. The relevant group items are 80024 for the Adult program and 80127 for the Adolescent program. Your eligibility and rebate depend on your circumstances and the eligible provider delivering the session. The figures are in the fees section .

Question 10

What if I need to withdraw?

Accepted Answer

Withdrawal after the program begins doesn’t ordinarily attract a refund, credit or transfer. See cancellations for the full position.

Question 11

What happens during screening?

Accepted Answer

Before joining either group, participants complete a brief individual screening appointment with one of our psychologists. This helps us understand your current needs, explain how the group works, answer questions and make sure the program is an appropriate fit. For the Adolescent program, screening also gives the young person and their parent or carer an opportunity to understand what to expect before committing to the program.

Question 12

Who conducts the adolescent screening?

Accepted Answer

Screening is conducted by a Logic Lounge psychologist involved in the Adolescent DBT Skills Group. Where appropriate, we may also speak with a parent or carer as part of the screening process.

Question 13

How much are parents involved during the program?

Accepted Answer

The group sessions themselves are for the young people. Most parents drop off, use the time for themselves, and come back at the end. If you’d like to talk through how your young person is going, that can be arranged as a separate appointment with one of our psychologists — booked separately from the program rather than as part of it.

Question 14

Is what my teenager says in the group confidential?

Accepted Answer

We respect the privacy of young people participating in the group, and ask all participants to respect each other’s privacy. As with individual psychological therapy, confidentiality has limits. If a psychologist becomes concerned about a young person’s safety or wellbeing, or is otherwise required to disclose information by law or professional obligations, relevant information may need to be shared with a parent or carer or another appropriate person or service. These limits will be explained before the program begins.

Question 15

Do parents need to provide consent?

Accepted Answer

Parent or carer consent requirements will depend on the young person’s age, circumstances and capacity to provide informed consent. Before the program begins, we will explain the consent arrangements that apply and how information may be shared with parents or carers. Where consent or permission to exchange relevant information is required, this will be discussed and documented before participation.

Question 16

Does a parent need to stay onsite?

Accepted Answer

No. Your young person will be with two psychologists for the full session. There’s two-hour parking on site and a cafe upstairs if you’d prefer to stay close, but you’re welcome to drop off and come back.

How to get your referral

Book an appointment with your GP

Ask for an eligible referral

Provide the referral to us

Claim after each session