You do not need a referral to make an appointment with Valerie. However, you will need a referral from your doctor with a Mental Health Care Plan to claim a rebate from Medicare (see Session Fees).
Valerie can also see individuals from the Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA), the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) and the NDIS.
DVA clients will need a referral from their General Practitioner.
TAC clients will need to obtain written approval from TAC to attend psychotherapy prior to making an appointment and provide the written approval before the first appointment.
Please note: Valerie is no longer seeing WorkCover clients.
New clients
If you are looking to make an appointment with Valerie, please complete the client registration form. You can find the registration form here.
Valerie may email you or call you to have a brief discussion about your needs and to ensure she is a good fit for you. If she is able to help you then appointments will be made for you (usually 2 weeks apart). You will receive confirmation of those appointments by email and SMS.
At that time, we will also email you an electronic Patient Intake Form and a Consent Form, which you will need to read, complete and return prior to your first appointment (if you cannot complete the Consent Form, a copy can be provided to you upon arrival).
If Valerie is not taking on new clients, as is the case from time to time, or if we assess that she is not a good fit for you, we will contact you as soon as possible to offer alternatives.
Mental Health Care Plan
To claim Medicare rebates for psychological services, you will need to obtain a referral letter from a GP, a psychiatrist as well as a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP), which is also organised by your doctor.
A Mental Health Care Plan is a plan that outlines the presentation of mental health conditions and the support needed to address those conditions.
If you have a Mental Health Care Plan, Medicare will provide rebates for up to 10 sessions per calendar year for psychological services (6 initial sessions, then 4 successive sessions). The 4 successive sessions will be discussed with Valerie if needed.
Please note that a MHCP does not give access to free sessions. It only allows you to have rebated sessions, i.e., there is a gap to pay at each session. (see Session Fees).
Dr Valerie Brown - Contact details
Tues: Videoconference only
Wed/Thu: 27 Riverine Street, Bairnsdale 3875
Consulting hours:
Tue: 9.30am - 6.00pm (videoconference only)
Wed: Bairnsdale - 10.30am to 6pm (face-to-face and videoconference)
Thu: Bairnsdale - 9.00am to 3.30pm (face-to-face and videoconference)
Mon/Fri/Sat/Sun: Closed