Welcome to Sands Psychology

Your Mental Health,
Handled with Care
& Compassion

Professional, warm, and confidential psychological support tailored to your needs

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About us

About Dr Melissa Sands

DPsych BSc(Hons) GradDipLegPrac LLB BA

Melissa is a clinical psychologist and gerospychologist who has worked in a variety of contexts. These include inpatient mental health services, residential aged care, community health, and private practice. Melissa has experience working with a wide range of psychological presentations, including couple’s therapy, complex trauma, PTSD, anxiety, depression, parenting/child behaviour management, substance abuse, grief/loss, and psychosis.

Melissa is an accredited provider of the Triple P (positive parenting) program, and while she does not work directly with children, she really enjoys helping parents increase their enjoyment of parenting, particularly via increasing self-efficacy with children’s behaviour management strategies. She also completed additional training in geropsychology, i.e., helping people with issues most commonly arising in older adulthood such as life transitions and adjustment to a loved one’s cognitive changes.

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About us

About Josie Scott

MAPS MPsych(Clin) BA(Hons)

Josie is a Clinical Psychologist, fully registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency. She is a member of the Australian Psychological Society’s Clinical College and is a Medicare-registered provider of clinical psychology services. Josie has completed a Masters in Clinical Psychology and is embarking on a PhD.

Josie has a variety of experience in various contexts, including inpatient and outpatient mental health services, rehabilitation and recovery units, the community sector in addiction, refugee and migrant services, and also experience in private practice – both before and at Sands Psychology. Josie has worked with a variety of psychological presentations including stress, low self-esteem, anger, behavioural difficulties, anxiety, depression, grief and loss, adjustment, chronic health conditions including chronic pain, personality disorders, survivors of trauma and torture, and substance use disorders. She has worked successfully with people across the lifespan and has a special interest in treating adolescents, adults, and couples. Josie is also a Board-approved supervisor of provisional psychologists.

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We always care about your mental health

So – please help us help you, by keeping in mind that we do charge cancellation fees.

Fees

A fee is payable at the end of the consultation. Please contact the office to discuss your situation so the correct fee can be advised; fees vary depending on several factors including whether the therapy is undertaken with one individual, undertaken within business hours, and also on how you are referred (e.g., rebates and other forms of financial assistance might be available if you are referred by a third party such a GP/psychiatrist, NDIS, employer, DVA, etc).

Medicare rebates

If you are referred by a GP under a Mental Health Treatment Plan, or by a psychiatrist or paediatrician, then a Medicare rebate will be available. This is generally for up to 10 consultations per calendar year. Bulk billing/reduced fee arrangements are considered in cases of extreme hardship.

Private health insurance rebates

Clients with private health cover for psychological therapy may claim at the time of payment.

Cancellations / non-attendances

Clients will be asked to sign a service agreement acknowledging their understanding and commitment to the clinic’s cancellation policy.

The cancellation policy is strictly enforced. This is to be fair to the practitioner, the practice (noting administrative and empty session costs otherwise), and other clients on a waitlist who need an appointment but might not be able to attend at short notice.

The policy: to avoid paying a fee (that is equivalent to the psychologist’s usual, standard fee), the practice must be notified by midday – two business days before the appointment. Session reminders are not provided.

Why We Don’t Display Testimonials

It might be surprising to learn that we can’t tell you what clients say about our psychologists!

Psychologists are bound by a regulatory (legal) framework and Code of Conduct that explicitly bans use of testimonials. However, we do like to celebrate that our wonderful reception staff receive a great deal of positive feedback, and we hope you will find then warm and helpful, also.

We are always happy to, and indeed invite feedback, so please do not hesitate to reach out.

    Start Your Journey to a Healthier Mind

    Current clinical days are as follows:

    Dr Sands: Tues/Wed (including evenings, both in-person/telehealth as requested); Thursday (telehealth)

    Josie Scott: Mon/Sat (both in-person/telehealth as requested).

    Please contract the office to confirm current availability and book.

    Phone

    (07) 3832 1231

    Email

    reception@sandspsychology.com