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Support to have courage for life

About

I'm a clinical psychologist based in Kiama, NSW. My passion is helping people restore emotional balance and re-connect with who/what is important to them.

I have a special interest in working with people who live with obsessive-compulsive disorder to regain their time and freedom in daily life.

David Cooper Portrait
Qualifications
  • Doctor of Philosophy (Clinical Psychology)
  • Master of Psychology (Clinical)
  • Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours)
  • Bachelor of Behavioural Studies (Psychology)
Memberships / Registrations
  • Member of the Australian Clinical Psychology Association
  • Registered Clinical Psychologist with AHPRA
  • Psychology Board of Australia Approved Supervisor

Therapy

Overview

If you've never seen a psychologist, it's normal to wonder what it's like. Below is an overview of the typical process in therapy. Everyone is different and I'll adapt the below to suit you.

Assessment and Finding Balance

Therapy starts with a getting-to-know-you phase where we discuss your current painful patterns, relevant background information, and broader life circumstances. Depending on your situation, this might be one or several sessions. We'll work together to identify the processes that get you stuck and outline a rough plan for treatment. We'll always have an eye on this and can change it when needed.

We'll also spend some time safely and gently making sense of your emotions. We often need to address some of the negative everyday patterns that have become automatic reflexes. You might learn and practicing new things. We'll move on from here when you have renewed balance, perspective and hope.

Restructuring and Expanding Life

As your week-to-week experience becomes more manageable, we'll start to focus more on central patterns that have caused problems. The aim here is to build consistency and resilience so that you are less affected by life's challenges.

We'll work on expanding your capacity to engage with deeper emotions, promote acceptance and self-compassion, and build more flexibility in the way you respond to problems and opportunities.

Consolidation

For most clients, therapy will be goal-oriented and time-limited. Most don't need it to be ongoing. As our work together comes to an end, we'll start to make sessions less frequent. I might help you apply new learning to new problems as they come up.

We'll also talk about the growth you've started and the changes in beliefs, feelings and actions you've experienced. Together, we'll reflect on the differences and what this means for your future growth. If needed, we might also schedule in periodic "booster sessions" to provide a little support in maintaining and applying changes.

Fees & Funding

The fee for a 50-minute consult is $240.

Estimated out-of-pocket costs:

Funding Your therapy cost Funder only pays Your out-of-pocket cost
Medicare $240 $141.85 $98.15*
Private Health Insurance $240 Varies Varies
NDIS (Self-managed) $240 $222.99 $17.01
Self-funded $240 NA $240
SIRA/Insurer (WorkCover) No fees for clients, managed with insurer
Open Arms No fees for clients, managed with Open Arms

*Depends on eligibility and safety net threshold. Excludes costs for appointments with your doctor.

Notes:

  • Clients are required to pay the full fee at the appointment time.
  • Late cancellation / no-show fees apply (see below)
  • Funding depends on meeting the funder's eligibility criteria.
  • Clients are responsible for confirming their funding eligibility.
  • Medicare set limits and requirements (see below)

To improve access to mental health care, fees are set lower than industry recommendations (The Australian Psychological Society and Australian Association of Psychologists Inc. both recommend $300).

Late-Cancellation / No-Show Fees

Can't make it in person? It's easy to switch to a video appointment, just contact my admin.

If you need to cancel or reschedule, giving us plenty of notice allows us to offer your appointment to someone else who needs it.

Notice Period Fee
Greater than 48 hours notice No fee
48 to 24 hours notice 50% of consult fee ($120)
Less than 24 hours notice (or do not attend) 100% of consult fee ($240)

Medicare rebates are not available on late-cancellation / no-show fees.

Medicare (Mental Health Treatment Plan)

Medicare provide rebates if you are eligible and have a valid referral letter from a general practitioner or psychiatrist. The full fee is payable on the day of the appointment.

For a standard 50-minute consult with a clinical psychologist, Medicare provide a rebate of at least $141.85

The rebate is typically paid into the bank account that Medicare have on file for you.

As a courtesy, we can submit the Medicare claim on your behalf. However, clients remain responsible for the full fee and ensuring that they are eligible for rebates.

When Medicare pays the rebate, the maximum out-of-pocket cost is $98.15 per consult.

Medicare Limits:

  • Rebates are only available for 10 consults per calendar year.
  • A new referral letter is needed:
    • before the start of each new "episode of care" (e.g., if you've taken a break from therapy), and
    • after every six consults (if the referral was from a general practitioner).
Private Health Insurance

If you have private health insurance, your policy may cover part of the session fees. Contact your insurer for details.

Training & Supervision

Consultation and professional development for mental health practitioners

Professional Services

Ad-Hoc Consultation

I provide ad-hoc consults for therapists who are stuck on a case or want to improve their skills. I take a process-based CBT approach with particular expertise in OCD and anxiety. I'm trained in CBT, ERP, I-CBT, ACT and Schema therapy. Reach out for a brief chat to see if what I offer is right for you.

Supervision for AHPRA Registration

Looking for a secondary supervisor who is independent from your current workplace? Reach out for a brief chat to see if we're a good fit.

Upcoming Training

Inference-Based CBT for OCD

Co-hosted with Dr Cassie Lavelle

For therapists Meeting over Zoom Focus on getting started

This webinar will provide an overview of the I-CBT model, and treatment process, evidence base. We'll discuss when to consider using it and how to get started.

More information →

Enquiries

My books are closed to new clients. .

Contact Details

Phone

02 4250 1000

HealthLink

cooperps

Fax

02 4250 5800

Email

admin@davidcooper.com.au

Address

Harbour Clinic Kiama

64A Terralong Street, Kiama NSW 2533

The entrance is off Shoalhaven Street. Follow the driveway between the bakery and barber (near the corner of Terralong Street). Harbour Clinic onsulting rooms are at the end of the driveway.

There is no parking on site. You may find parking in the carpark on Akuna Street or along Terralong Street.

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