info@psychologymelbourne.com.au
1300 161 639
At Psychology Melbourne, our online therapy groups offer an alternative, effective form of psychological treatment that involves working with a small group of individuals with similar concerns or challenges. Our groups are led by experienced Group Leader psychologists who are trained in group facilitation and will create a safe and confidential environment for you to practice new skills, establish healthy boundaries, and share your experiences, and insights.
The primary purpose of group therapy is to provide a supportive therapeutic space where individuals can connect with others who may be facing similar difficulties. This shared experience can help alleviate feelings of isolation and loneliness, as participants realise that they are not alone in their struggles. By hearing others’ perspectives, you can gain new insights into your own issues and learn a range of practical coping strategies.
Our groups are designed to focus on a specific problem, such as anger management, relationships and communication skills, emotional regulation, trauma, ADHD, autism, or substance abuse -
By attending this online coaching group, you will learn how to identify your Autistic strengths, as well as strategies to change the behaviours that concern you and/or others.
Dates: Starting Tuesday 4th February 6:30pm-7:30pm, 4 weekly sessions online
By attending this online coaching group, you will gain understanding about how your brain works, develop new ways to manage your ADHD and build on existing strengths.
Dates: Starting Tuesday 21st January 6:30pm-7:30pm, 4 weekly sessions online
This online coaching group will help redefine how you can help friends, family and colleagues develop strengths that will help empower both the cared for, and the carer.
Dates: Coming Soon - Register your Interest
By attending this online coaching group, you will learn to activate processes of change, manage maladaptive patterns and errors of judgment that have hindered your.
Dates: Coming Soon - Register your Interest
The purpose of this Eating Disorder Group is to increase understanding about the origin of eating disorders including the types, signs, symptoms and common causes.
Dates : Coming Soon - Register your Interest
By attending this group therapy, you will gain confidence and skills to manage and regulate your emotions effectively, and how emotions function over time.
Dates: Coming Soon - Register your Interest
This online coaching group will provide a confidential, safe, and welcoming environment for men to explore and discuss the general issues they face.
Dates: Coming Soon - Register your Interest
By attending this online coaching group, you will learn the key elements of a healthy relationship and effective communication styles to build trust and respect.
Dates: Coming Soon - Register your Interest
This online coaching group will help you gain valuable tools to navigate life's challenges with greater resilience and self-assurance.
Dates: Coming Soon - Register your Interest
All our groups are closed groups, which means all the participants begin the group at the same time. Typically, 6–10 participants meet for an hour a week for 4-6 weeks. Some people attend individual therapy as well as groups, while others participate in groups only.
One significant advantage of group therapy is its cost-effectiveness. Compared to individual therapy, group therapy allows individuals to receive on-going support and professional guidance at a reduced cost. This affordability makes therapy more accessible for a broad range of people.
In addition to being effective for a variety of mental health concerns, such as anxiety, depression and interpersonal difficulties, groups also offer a supportive space to explore and address these challenges.
The therapeutic benefits of group therapy extend beyond the sessions themselves. Participants may find that the connections formed within the group carry over into their daily lives, providing a valuable support network for on-going challenges and helping participants stay committed to their personal growth.
Please note we do not disclose any personal contact details without your permission.
Each group at Psychology Melbourne includes 6-10 participants, guided by one of our psychologists with expert training, known as Group Leaders, who teach proven strategies for managing specific problems. For example, if you choose an anger-management group, your psychologist will describe evidence-based strategies for controlling anger.
Each group focuses on a distinct topic such as Relationship Skills, Dealing with Trauma, ADHD coaching, and more. Within each session key information is presented on the topic with plenty of room for discussion and comments by participants. You will be strongly encouraged to bring up issues and ask questions during each session.
When you join a therapy group at Psychology Melbourne, the Group Leader will provide an full introduction, explaining the group guidelines and confidentiality agreement, and will answer and questions you may have. As sessions progress, you will have the opportunity to share your experiences, emotions and concerns with the group. Active listening and respect for others’ perspectives will be encouraged, where everyone’s voice is valued.
Many people find it's helpful to participate in both group therapy and individual psychotherapy. Individual therapy provides a one-on-one therapeutic relationship where deep exploration and personalised interventions can take place. It offers a place to delve into underlying issues, work through specific challenges, and receive tailored guidance from your psychologist.
Alternatively, group therapy, under the guidance of a trained psychologist, brings unique advantages through the dynamic power of shared experiences, empathy, and support from fellow group participants. Group work offers a sense of validation, connection, and a diverse range of perspectives that can broaden one's understanding of oneself and others.
If you feel your progress in individual therapy has stalled, joining a group can jump-start your personal growth.
By combining individual therapy's focused attention with group therapy’s broader perspective, participants can benefit from both personalised support and the enriching influence of the group’s support, enhancing their therapeutic journey and fostering holistic growth.
At Psychology Melbourne, confidentiality in group therapy is of paramount importance, as it ensures a safe and trustworthy space where participants can openly share their thoughts, feelings, and experiences, knowing that their privacy will be respected and upheld.
When you join a therapy group at Psychology Melbourne, in your first online session, your Group Leader will provide a full introduction on how groups work, explain our confidentiality agreement. Only your first name will be visible on the screen and your surname will not be disclosed without your permission.
Groups work best where there is trust and honest communication between participants. Although you may start out as strangers, in a short time you will become a valuable and trusted source of support for each other.
The cost of our 6-session therapy groups is approximately $50 per session. Groups are held online usually in the evenings and run from 4-6 sessions. You can see the costs of our various groups on our website here.
Medicare rebates are available for 10 group sessions per calendar year if you have a current Mental Health Care Plan from your GP and if you are in a telehealth eligible area. Rebates only apply to each session you attend and if you are situated 15 km or more from where the group is being held.
Our Reception team can help you work out the eligibility of your location.
Afterpay is available for the initial cost of the group and rebates are sent to your nominated account after each session. Some private health funds offer refunds for group sessions. Please contact your private health provider to find out more about your policy.
Groups led by a -
The rebates are sent to your nominated back account after each group session.
For more information, please contact our Reception team on 1300 161 639 or email us at info@psychologymelbourne.com.au or use the chat box on this website.
We require prepayment of all groups prior to the start date. You can purchase your group on our website or call our Reception team for assistance on 1300 161 639.
Once you are enrolled in the group, you will be sent several forms to complete before the group starts. If you have any questions about forms, please speak to our helpful Reception team. The forms are required to be completed 24 hours before the group starts.
You will need to join the online group 10 minutes before it starts to ensure there are no IT problems. Assistance on the night is available for 10 minutes before the start time. Alternatively, we can show you how to join on the day prior to the group starting.
Yes, all groups are online and live so feel free to take notes, so you get the most out of the group program content. We also make time for Q&A at the end of each session so if you have any questions about the course content you can ask the Psychologist directly.
Normally there are between 6- 10 participants in the group zoom session. You will be able to see the Group Leader and the other participants in the group. You will also be able to ask Q&A questions either during the group or at the end of the group.
Our Psychology groups are live events and are not recorded for client confidentiality and privacy reasons. We are unable to provide a digital copy, however we can provide the group handouts/homework each session.
Alternatively, you can schedule an individual counselling session with the Group Leader if you wish to discuss the session content in detail. Please call our Client Services Team on 1300 161 639 or use our live Chat on the website to book a session.
At this stage all our groups are running in the evenings, but we will be trialling some during the day next month. Many of our groups are repeated at a later date and we can put you on our waiting list for the next one. Please call our Client Services Team on 1300 161 639 or use our live Chat on the website to be added to a wait list.
The Zoom session is presented to the group, and you will be able to see the other participants. We ensure confidentiality by only making your first name visible. We do not want people turn off their video cameras for safety reasons and we don’t allow other people in the room for confidentiality reasons.
It is up to the Group Leaders whether they will provide one-on-one sessions for group members as it may be disruptive for the group. Please call our Client Services Team on 1300 161 639 to request this and they will pass on your request to the Group Leader.
We can arrange one-on-one counselling sessions with your Group Leader once the group has ended. To request this, please call our Client Services Team on 1300 161 639 or use our live Chat on the website
A Group Therapy Agreement will be sent to the participants at the end of the first session. This states that it is permitted to discuss group content outside the group, but not anything of a personal nature that is shared within the group.
No-one else should be present in the room during the group session and only first names will be visible on the video screen.
Make sure you have a quiet, closed space to participate in the group as confidentiality is important for you and others in the group.
You can easily book a group online on our groups page by selecting the group you are interested in. When you click on the ‘Book Now’ button, you will be able to pay by VISA or MasterCard.
Alternatively, you can call Reception and pay by phone using a credit card or bank transfer. Once your booking is complete, you will receive an email confirming your booking.
Please ensure you enter your email address carefully to ensure you receive your Zoom link.
By Phone - Simply call our Client Services Team on 1300 161 639 or use our live Chat on the website and we can take your booking over the phone by VISA or MasterCard or bank transfer.
Yes, you certainly can! We have Group Gift Certificates available to purchase so you can gift someone special, and they can choose any of our courses to enrol in.
Alternatively, you can book an online group and include your friend's email, First Name, Last Name and Phone Number but pay for it yourself and we will send them the confirmation email directly to access the course content.
If you would like any assistance, please contact our Client Service Team on 1300 161 639 or use our live Chat on the website.
We accept payments by VISA or MasterCard online or by phone on 1300 161 639. Payment in full is required prior to the group commencing.
Yes, you certainly can! After Pay allows you to split your purchases into four interest-free instalments, so you will pay your first instalment at the time of purchase, and the remainder every fortnight.
You can find your payment schedule in the After Pay app and they will send you regular payment reminders. For more information about AfterPay, visit https://www.afterpay.com.
No, we don’t offer EFT, but we accept bank transfers. Please contact Reception on 1300 161 639 to discuss this in more detail.
We reserve a limited number of places for those people with a Health Care Card. Call our Reception Team on 1300 161 639 or use our live Chat on the website to discuss this in more detail.
If you have a current Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) and are in a telehealth eligible area, you will be suitable to apply for up to 10 group rebates per calendar year, however rebates only paid after you have attended the session.
The MHCP provides 10 individual rebates as well as 10 group rebates, so you do not lose any rebates doing a group.
Group rebates are available only if you are in a telehealth eligible area within MMM classifications and a minimum 15 km away from where the group is being held https://www.health.gov.au/resources/apps-and-tools/health-workforce-locator. Reception can assist you with eligibility and locations where each group leader is located at the time of a group.
If you don’t have a current Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP), you will need to discuss this with your GP.
The MHCP provides 10 individual rebates as well as 10 group rebates, so you do not lose any rebates doing a group.
Yes, with a current Mental Health Care Plan and if you are in a telehealth eligible area, you will be eligible for 10 individual sessions plus 10 group therapy sessions per calendar year. This means that no Medicare rebates will be deducted from your individual treatment.
Our Psychologists are registered as providers with Private Health Funds. Some funds will allow rebates for psychological services, however it is advisable to check with your specific fund to see if your 'extras cover' includes this and the amount of repayment.
If you are eligible, you can choose to use your Private Health Insurance to pay for courses and we will send you a receipt for you to claim your rebate online.
Our online groups are hosted on Zoom https://zoom.us which is free to use and allows you to see, hear and participate in the group. It has audio and video functionality built-in so you can easily talk plus a chat window to type any questions you have about the group content.
You will need a computer, laptop or mobile phone with speakers or headphones and internet access. The bandwidth used by Zoom will be optimised to your network speed and will automatically adjust the quality for 3G, WiFi and wired environments.
If you have a microphone and/or webcam you will to be able to participate using audio and video. The full Zoom specifications can be viewed here - https://support.zoom.com/hc/en/article?id=zm_kb&sysparm_article=KB0060748.
If you like to take notes, have a pad and pen handy to write things down during the session. A glass of water is also a good idea.
We will email you a link and password to access the scheduled Zoom session on the day of the group session. You can use the link within the email or visit https://zoom.us/join and add the Meeting ID to access the course
Yes, you can use mobile devices like phones and tablets and the full Zoom specifications can be viewed here - https://support.zoom.com/hc/en/article?id=zm_kb&sysparm_article=KB0060748.
Prior to your group you can download the Zoom mobile app here - https://zoom.us/download.
Make sure you have a quiet, closed space to participate in the group as confidentiality is important for you and others in the group. Only first names are visible on the screens.
We will email you a link and password to access the scheduled Zoom session on the day of the group session.
We recommend that you check your email for the group zoom link well before 5pm on the day of your course (and don’t forget to check your junk mail if you can’t locate it).
If you do not have it, please call our Client Services Team on 1300 161 639 to resend it to you so you don’t miss your first session. We provide IT support for 10 minutes before the group starts.
When you click on your course link, the Zoom desktop or mobile app will download automatically to your device if you don’t already have the program installed, and you just follow the prompts to join the course. If preferred, you can install Zoom prior to the group session start from here - https://zoom.us/download.
Unless in the case of a genuine emergency, we do not provide refunds on groups once they have been purchased, but you can transfer it to another person. There is also an admin fee of $100 for cancellations.
Please call our Reception team on 1300 161 639 or use our live Chat on the website to make any adjustments to your enrolmen.
If for any reason the group is cancelled, you will be offered a full refund, or you can use it as a credit on another group or an individual online session with the Group Leader or another psychologist.
If you require a group for your workplace, we can arrange this for you either online or in-person. Contact our Client Services Team on 1300 161 639or use our live Chat on the website for further information.