Frequently Asked Questions about booking appointments
What happens at my first appointment?
Your first appointment is really about understanding your sleep.
We’ll talk through what has been happening, when the problem began, what your nights currently look like, what you’ve already tried and what may now be keeping the difficulty going. I’ll also consider your health, medications, lifestyle and anything else that may be relevant to your sleep.
From there, we can work out what approach is most appropriate for you. I don’t want to start throwing strategies at you until we understand the problem we’re actually trying to solve.
What if I'm not sure whether I should book?
You don’t need to be certain that you have insomnia, know which treatment you need, or have worked out exactly why you’re not sleeping. That’s part of my job.
If you’re unsure whether what you’re experiencing is something I can help with, you’re welcome to get in touch before booking. And if I don’t think I’m the right person for your sleep problem, I’ll tell you and point you in the right direction where I can.
Do I need to do anything before my first appointment?
Yes, there are a couple of things that will help us make the most of our time together.
You’ll be asked to complete an intake form before your appointment, and where possible I’ll also ask you to keep a sleep diary for one to two weeks.
Don’t worry about making the diary look “good”. I want to see what your sleep is actually doing, not what you think it should be doing.
How long is an appointment?
All appointments are 60 minutes.
How many sessions will I need?
There isn’t one answer that applies to everyone.
Some people need relatively little input to understand what is keeping their sleep stuck and begin turning things around. Others have had insomnia for a long time or have several factors contributing and benefit from a short treatment plan.
After your initial consultation, I’ll have a much clearer idea of what I think you need and we can discuss that together. I don’t believe in putting everyone into the same number of sessions simply because that’s the program. On average its 1 - 4 sessions.
How much does an appointment cost?
My current fee is $160 per session.
Some private health funds may provide rebates for eligible clinical hypnotherapy services, depending on your fund and level of cover. It’s worth checking directly with your insurer before your appointment if you would like to know whether you’re eligible.
Do I need a GP referral to see you?
No. You can book an appointment directly without a referral from your GP. However, I work alongside GPs and other health professionals where appropriate and may recommend medical assessment if your symptoms suggest another sleep or health condition could be contributing.
Can I book an online appointment?
Yes. Appointments are available online as well as in person at The Insomnia Studio in East Fremantle.
The clinical work can be done very effectively via telehealth, so being outside Perth doesn’t necessarily mean you need to miss out on treatment.
Can I claim insomnia treatment through private health insurance?
Some private health funds may provide a rebate for eligible clinical hypnotherapy services, depending on your insurer and level of cover. As policies vary between funds, I recommend checking directly with your health fund before your appointment. I can provide the practitioner details you need to make that enquiry.
Can I use a Mental Health Treatment Plan or receive a Medicare rebate?
No. Consultations with me are not covered under a Mental Health Treatment Plan and Medicare rebates do not apply. You do not need a Mental Health Treatment Plan or GP referral to make an appointment.
What is your cancellation policy?
I understand that plans sometimes change.
If you need to cancel or reschedule, please give at least 24 hours’ notice.
Cancellations with less than 24 hours’ notice incur 50% of the appointment fee, and cancellations with less than 12 hours’ notice incur the full appointment fee.
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