Therapy Services

I provide clinical psychology services through a process-based framework for obsessive-compulsive symptoms and other persistent life problems.

Check out the fees and FAQ below.
More questions? Reach out.

Process-based therapy

All of the therapies listed below have been developed and tested by clinical researchers. I use these approaches within a process-based framework, which is a scientific method of adapting standard treatment protocols to better suit each individual.

You’re a whole person
(not a disorder)

We're not doing therapy for a diagnostic label in a treatment manual. You're a complete, complex person with your own story. Painful patterns are maintained by a unique combination of thoughts, emotions, behaviours, relationships, and life circumstances that interact in ways specific to each person. This is what we call a “process” and it’s what keeps people stuck.

Therapy should be personalised
(not a rigid protocol)

There's no magic formula or standardised cure-all. Clinical research works best when adapted for each individual. We'll start by understanding your unique experience and what keeps you stuck, then I'll use scientific frameworks to implement evidence-based techniques that we'll monitor and adapt as needed.

Therapy for obsessive-compulsive symptoms and related issues

There are two approaches specifically developed for OCD and supported by randomised controlled trials. I apply their frameworks and techniques to the unique factors that keep each person stuck.

Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)

This action-oriented technique involves training and supporting you to deliberately approach situations that prompt your obsessional concerns, then to resist the compulsions that usually follow.

We start small and build gradually. It's designed to quiet the "false alarm" and build confidence in your ability to handle things. It's the first recommendation in treatment guidelines for OCD and has produced reliable results for several decades.

Inference-Based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

This talk-based technique targets a specific reasoning process that underpins OCD. We don't argue with the your OCD story, but we do explore how it's based on a reasons that are (mis)applied in the here-and-now.

It's designed to help you rebuild trust in your own senses, memory and judgement. It's a newer therapy, but recent randomised controlled trials suggest that produces similar results to ERP. Anecdotally, I have heard several people describe it as validating.

+ Imagery Rescripting for OCD

The above approaches don't work 100% of the time, so my PhD focused on experimental research for another option that had been trialled on a case-by-case by a handful of earlier researchers. This approach involves imagining memories/scenes relevant to your obsessional concerns, then I guide you to imagine new endings that transform their meaning. This shift seems to change an emotional blueprint that maintains OCD. It's not yet a standard approach, but early research shows promising results when people need another option.

Schema Therapy for persistent life patterns

Understanding patterns

Sometimes briefer therapy isn't enough to address deeper recurring problems. Schema Therapy was developed for this purpose. It starts with understanding your vulnerabilities, how they developed in earlier life, and how you learned to cope.

Updating emotional blueprints

We work together to help you heal those vulnerabilities by becoming wiser, kinder, and stronger for yourself. This involves mental imagery, revisiting memories, dialogues with different parts of yourself, and support to change unhelpful patterns of behaviour.

Fees and funding

Why are there fees for treatment?

Even with a GP referral, the Australian healthcare system only covers some of the costs of private mental healthcare.

To improve access to treatment, my fees for clients who incur out-of-pocket costs are set lower than industry recommendations. If you require a bulk-billed service, consider Medicare’s Health to Health centres.

How many consults will I need?

This depends on each individual, their situation, goals, and the approaches we take.

Plan for at least 20 consults as this is typically the minimum in narrowly-focused research trials for the therapies I provide. Multiple issues usually require more work. There’s no lock-in contract.

Estimated out-of-pocket costs

  • Medicare process: The full fee is payable at the time of the appointment. Medicare typically deposit rebates within the following few days.

    Consult fee: $250 per 50 mins
    Medicare rebate: -$145.25
    Approx. out-of-pocket cost: $104.75¹

    Medicare enforce certain rules:

    • A valid GP referral (see details)

    • max 6 consults on each GP referral

    • max 10 consults per calendar year²

    Notes:
    ¹ Estimate only, does not include cost to see GP for referral
    ² Lasting change typically requires more than this limit. See notes regarding therapy length.

  • Details on the Extended Medicare Safety Net (EMSN) can be found here.

    Medicare process: The full fee is payable at the time of the appointment. Medicare typically deposit rebates within the following few days.

    Consult fee:
    $250 per 50 mins
    Standard Medicare rebate:
    $145.25
    Additional rebate of 80% of out-of-pocket cost:
    0.8 x ($250-$145.25) = $104.75
    Approx. final out-of-pocket cost:
    $250- $145.25 - $104.75 = $20.93 ¹

    Medicare enforce certain rules:

    • Registration for the EMSN (see details)

    • A valid GP referral (see details)

    • max 6 consults on each GP referral

    • max 10 consults per calendar year ²

    Notes:
    ¹ Estimate only, does not include cost to see GP for referral
    ² Lasting change typically requires more than this limit. See notes regarding therapy length.

  • Health insurance process: The full fee is payable at the time of the appointment. You will be emailed a payment receipt which can be used for claiming.

    Consult fee: $250
    Insurance coverage: Varies by policy
    Your out-of-pocket cost: Varies

    Note: Contact your insurer to confirm your coverage.

  • Self-funded process: The full fee is payable at the time of the appointment.

    Your out-of-pocket cost: $250

  • Consult fee: Varies by agreement with funding body, based on complexity, additional work estimated, and type of therapy required.

    Your cost: No out-of-pocket costs for clients. Fees are managed directly with DVA or your workplace injury insurer (e.g., EML, iCare). Prior approval from the insurer is required.

    Therapy note: For workplace-related psychological injuries, we will implement other therapy approaches not listed above, consistent with evidence-based treatment guidelines.

  • I do not provide a bulk-billed service.

    Medicare rebates no longer reflect the true costs of providing quality care. Across the non-government healthcare system, the pressures of bulk-billing tend to increase the risk of rushed care and threaten sustainability.

    If you require a service without out-of-pocket costs, consider Medicare’s Health to Health centres.

Late-cancellation fees

A late-cancellation / no-show fee will only be charged if I cannot fill your appointment time with someone waiting on my cancellation list. Funding bodies typically do not reimburse late-cancellation fees. This is usually an out-of-pocket cost.

If cancelling > 48 hrs, there is no fee.
If ≤ 48 hrs notice (but > 24hrs), the fee is $125.
If ≤ 24 hrs notice, the fee is $250.

Common Questions

  • Yes, I offer sessions via Zoom (when it’s appropriate). You'll need a stable internet connection, a private space, and should be alert and prepared for the session just as you would for an in-person appointment. I do not offer phone appointments.

  • I am currently only taking referrals for adults. A local option for children or adolescents with OCD is Sophie Scott. For young people outside our local region, search the OCD directory.

  • Dear Parent,

    I receive this request often, particularly from parents who are desperate to help their young adult children with OCD. It’s good that they still have your advocacy and support.

    Recovery takes effort. Unfortunately, talking with me will not manufacture the motivation to recover if it does not already exist in some form. However, if your adult child does genuinely want to try therapy, but is hesitant about some aspects of the process, I’d be more than happy to have an initial consult with them. They can always decide they don’t want to re-book or see me again.

    As they are an adult, they will need to contact me directly to book an appointment (even if that’s with your support). I do not liaise directly with parents until I have met the client in an appointment and received permission to talk with their parents. You may join an initial appointment to support them if they ask for this. These limits support their autonomy and reduces the risk of no-shows to appointments.

    If your adult child is unwilling or unable to seek help themselves, are things you can do to help. Start with taking them to their GP. If they need a community team to visit, please contact the Mental Health Helpline on 1800 011 511. If you would like to know how to manage them within the home, read this page about family accomodation.

    I sometimes work with parents to support them in reducing the ways they unintentionally maintain the OCD and you are welcome to enquire about this.

    Warmly,

    David

  • I am not currently taking new clients for general couples therapy. For a local relationship therapist, consider Kristen Campbell.

    I do regularly see couples as a part of individual therapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder to:

    • provide education / clarification,

    • discuss how to limit its effect on the relationship, and

    • to support recovery.

  • I regularly screen for neurodiversity, but do not conduct full assessments or write reports. I prefer to focus on therapy.

  • No, I prefer to maintain a focus on therapy and do not to conduct assessments for third parties.

    To the extent that the law allows, any request for written or verbal assessment, expert opinion or witness to fact, intended for use as evidence for the courts or for insurers, will be declined.

    If you might need something like this, it’s best you seek out a different psychologist.

  • I am not a medical doctor and cannot prescribe medication, nor give personal advice regarding your medication.

    As a clinical psychologist, I am trained to assess, diagnose, and treat mental health issues with a focus on how psychological processes (thoughts, feelings, and action) maintain problems. My PhD in clinical psychology does not give me prescribing rights.

    In contrast, a psychiatrist is a trained medical doctor who has worked as a general doctor and then completed an additional five-year training program in diagnosing and treating mental illness, including with medication (among other approaches).

    I encourage my clients to have open conversations with their GP about medication. Their GP can refer them to a psychiatrist if more specialised advice is needed.

  • Yes! I'm committed to providing affirming, respectful therapy that honours your neurodiversity, gender identity, sexual orientation, faith, and cultural background.

    I try to adapt my methods to fit your values and communication style rather than expecting you to fit a particular therapeutic model. I'm mindful of minority stresses.

    I won't try to change fundamental aspects of who you are or impose my own values. You're the expert on your own experience.

    If you have specific questions about how I approach particular identities or concerns, feel free to ask during our initial consultation.

  • Generally, yes. But there are specific situations where I'm legally required to disclose information:

    • When there's immediate risk to your safety or someone else's

    • When child abuse or neglect is suspected

    • When ordered by a court

    • When it’s requested as part of your funding arrangements

    • When you give permission to share information with other professionals

    I'll always try to discuss these situations with you first when possible and disclose only the minimum information necessary.Item description

  • No, adult clients are responsible for their own accounts.

    Third-party payers often complicate the agreement we have. If someone else is helping to cover your out-of-pocket costs, you’ll need to pay the consult fees yourself and make arrangements with them.

Waitlist enquiry

My clinical caseload is currently at capacity and my waiting time for new clients is between two and four months.

There are other great alternatives. Rather than delay therapy for yourself, please consider exploring the below options:

Thank you for your interest in therapy services. I focus on adults with:

Please review the fees and common questions before completing the form below as I may have already answered your question.

Note: I receive a high volume of enquiries and the form below will go to my admin.

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