FAQ

Frequently asked questions.

Helpful answers for therapy, NDIS, EAP, assessments, telehealth and privacy.

Do you offer telehealth? Telehealth

Yes. Telehealth is available Australia-wide where clinically suitable.

What can therapy help with? Therapy

Therapy can support anxiety, stress, depression, relationships, trauma, grief, life transitions, parenting, caring responsibilities and general wellbeing.

What services does Emerald Tree offer? Therapy

Emerald Tree provides psychological therapies, relationship support, pregnancy options and postnatal care, child and adolescent therapy, older adult therapy, carer support, parenting and family support, career transition support, neurological and chronic health therapy, sexuality and intimacy support, disability and life skills support, EAP, workshops and allied health supervision.

Do I need a referral? Therapy

You can contact Emerald Tree directly. If you have a GP mental health treatment plan, NDIS plan, EAP access or another referral pathway, bring those details when booking.

How should I prepare for my first appointment? Therapy

It can help to write a short one-page summary before your first session. Include the main challenges you are facing, symptoms you have noticed, relevant history and any previous support you have received. This helps your therapist understand what matters most from the start.

Can I choose in-person or online sessions? Therapy

In-person and telehealth options are available where clinically suitable. The team can help you work out which format best fits your needs.

Do you support couples or families? Therapy

Yes. Sessions may include individuals, couples, families or support people when it is clinically appropriate and everyone understands the purpose of the appointment.

What happens in the first session? Therapy

Your first session is a chance to talk through what has been happening, what you would like support with and what kind of therapy pathway may be useful.

How does the Medicare Safety Net work? Fees

If your GP has provided a Mental Health Care Plan, eligible sessions may contribute toward the Medicare Safety Net. Once the annual threshold is reached, Medicare rebates may increase and reduce out-of-pocket costs. Medicare does not cover relationship therapy, and you can self-refer without a GP referral.

What are Emerald Tree session rates? Fees

Current rates include senior clinician sessions at $220-$230 where a Medicare rebate may apply with a valid referral, after-hours appointments at $250, allied health clinician sessions at $220, private therapy at $170 and relationship therapy at $250. Medicare rebates do not apply to private therapy, allied health clinician sessions or relationship therapy. Contact the team for NDIS or other funded program rates.

What does time-billing mean? Fees

Emerald Tree is a time-billing practice. Pricing reflects the care, preparation, administration and professional support involved. For funded services, fees may apply to direct sessions, travel, consultations, team meetings, reporting and professional correspondence as needed.

What funded session pathways are available? Funded support

Emerald Tree supports a range of funded pathways, including EAP, NDIS, Open Arms for veterans and families, carer-funded support and Open Place pathways where suitable. If your sessions are funded through a program, the team can guide you through the process.

Should I mention Australian Defence Force connections? Funded support

Yes. If you or a loved one has a connection to the Australian Defence Force, please let the team know in your intake form because you may be eligible for additional support pathways.

Who can access professional supervision? Supervision

Professional supervision may support allied health practitioners, community services workers, disability sector professionals, counsellors, therapists, team leaders and managers in helping roles.

Can supervision include leadership support? Supervision

Yes. Supervision can include leadership support, business coaching, professional boundaries, role clarity, workplace communication and reflective support for complex practice situations.

Is supervision available individually or in groups? Supervision

Supervision may be arranged individually or in groups where clinically and professionally appropriate. Contact Emerald Tree to discuss the purpose, format and frequency that may suit your work.

Can you support NDIS participants? NDIS

Emerald Tree can support plan-managed and self-managed NDIS participants with therapeutic supports and reporting.

Do you see plan-managed and self-managed participants? NDIS

Yes. Emerald Tree can support plan-managed and self-managed participants. The team can confirm the right billing details before services begin.

Can you work with support coordinators or plan nominees? NDIS

Yes. With consent, Emerald Tree can communicate with support coordinators, plan nominees, family members or other providers to keep supports coordinated and goal focused.

What goals can NDIS therapy support? NDIS

Therapy may support emotional regulation, confidence, relationships, community participation, routines, coping skills, transitions, communication and day-to-day wellbeing goals.

Can you provide reports for plan reviews? NDIS

Emerald Tree can prepare therapy progress reports, plan review information and recommendations where clinically appropriate and connected to the participant's goals.

Do you complete Functional Capacity Assessments? NDIS

Functional Capacity Assessments may be available where appropriate. These assessments explore daily functioning, barriers, strengths, support needs and practical recommendations.

Can sessions be by telehealth? NDIS

Yes. Telehealth can be suitable for many participants across Australia. The clinician will consider privacy, access needs, safety and whether online support is clinically appropriate.

Can sessions include family or carers? NDIS

Where helpful and with participant consent, sessions may include family members, carers or support people so strategies can be understood and used in daily life.

What should I bring to the first appointment? NDIS

It can help to bring your NDIS plan, current goals, previous reports, support coordinator details and any questions you want answered. If you do not have these, you can still enquire.

Can NDIS or funded participants access supported pathways? NDIS

Yes. Plan-managed and self-managed NDIS participants are welcome, and other funded pathways may also be available depending on eligibility and referral requirements. Contact Emerald Tree to confirm rates, billing details and what information is needed before services begin.

Can you help with psychosocial disability needs? NDIS

Emerald Tree can support people experiencing mental health and psychosocial impacts, including practical strategies, therapeutic support and reporting that describes functional impact.

What if Emerald Tree is not the right fit? NDIS

If the service is not the right clinical fit, the team will be honest about this and may suggest speaking with your GP, support coordinator or another suitable provider.

Are EAP sessions confidential? EAP

Yes. EAP therapy conversations are confidential. Employers receive only agreed service and billing information, not personal session details or the content of sessions.

What can employees use EAP for? EAP

Employees can use EAP for personal, family, wellbeing or workplace concerns, including stress, anxiety, relationship issues, grief, burnout, conflict, change, sleep concerns and coping after difficult events.

Does my manager need to know I am using EAP? EAP

In most cases, no. Employees can usually access EAP directly. If a manager helps arrange support, the therapy conversation remains private unless there is a serious safety concern or another legal requirement.

How many EAP sessions are included? EAP

The number of sessions depends on the employer agreement. Emerald Tree can help employees understand what is available under their organisation's EAP arrangement before booking.

Can EAP be used by telehealth? EAP

Yes. EAP sessions may be available in clinic, by phone or by telehealth where clinically suitable. Some workplace support can also be arranged onsite.

What happens when someone books through Zanda? EAP

The booking pathway explains that the person is leaving the Emerald Tree website and going to Zanda, our secure booking system. The person may need to enter their organisation details so the correct EAP arrangement can be confirmed.

Can managers refer an employee to EAP? EAP

Managers can encourage an employee to contact EAP and provide booking information, but therapy works best when the employee chooses to engage. Managers should avoid asking for private clinical details.

What support is available for managers? EAP

Managers can access practical guidance about difficult conversations, distressed employees, staff wellbeing concerns, workplace conflict, psychological safety, leadership challenges and Accidental Counsellor situations.

Can Emerald Tree support critical incidents? EAP

Emerald Tree can discuss critical incident support, including early guidance for managers, staff support pathways and follow-up therapy options. Immediate danger or emergencies should always be escalated to 000.

What information does an employer receive? EAP

Employers may receive aggregate usage or service information where agreed, such as number of sessions used. Personally identifying session notes, diagnoses and private therapy content are not provided to employers.

Can EAP support alcohol, vaping, sleep or stress concerns? EAP

Yes. EAP can support common wellbeing concerns such as stress, sleep, alcohol reduction, vaping reduction and coping strategies. Higher-risk issues may require GP, crisis or specialist referral alongside EAP support.

Which EAP partners does Emerald Tree work with? EAP

Emerald Tree works with a range of EAP and organisational partners, including partners such as MELI, Gforce, Cultura and Timbertruss. Employees should include their organisation details when enquiring so the correct pathway can be confirmed.

How can an organisation set up EAP with Emerald Tree? EAP

Organisations can contact Emerald Tree to discuss workforce needs, access pathways, booking arrangements, critical incident support, reporting expectations and launch materials for staff.

Can assessments happen outside the clinic? Assessments and reports

Where clinically suitable, assessments may be completed by telehealth or through home, workplace or school visits. Travel time or costs may apply.

What if I need medication for ADHD? Assessments and reports

ADHD assessment pathways vary. If medication or psychiatric diagnosis is needed, clients may also need to speak with their GP or psychiatrist.