Ideal for first time mums who want to connect with others and build their village. Second time (and beyond) Mums are very welcome too.

Open to women with or without a history of mental health issues.

Helpful for women who could benefit from some additional mental health support or have a history of adjustment difficulties, anxiety, and/or depression.

Ideal for women who are planning a physiological birth as some of the birth education and strategies will be tailored towards this. All birth preferences are of course respected and welcomed, and many of the strategies will be helpful for motherhood regardless of birth preferences and plans.

As it is a group program, focused individual psychological support for complex needs won’t be possible. This means if you are experiencing complex mental health concerns (e.g., PTSD, BPD), domestic violence, suicidal ideation, or substance use concerns it will be much more beneficial for you to engage in one-on-one support at this time rather than a group. Please see your GP for referral and support options.

The program will be facilitated by Kendall Allsop, Clinical Psychologist, with special guests attending to provide education and support.

Send me an email. Then you'll complete intake forms and we'll organise payment to confirm your registration. If you have any questions or want to discuss your suitability, please send me an email.

The cost is $749 which includes all program content and activities, a beautiful workbook to record your learning and reflections, and a goodie bag with a surprise or two ;)

Medicare rebates may be applicable (see next FAQ). The rebate per session is $66, meaning your gap payment if attending under a MHCP equates to less than $30 per session.

As per Medicare rules: rebates can only be processed after attending each session (i.e., week by week) in person, provided a minimum of four people attend. Rebates are not available for missed sessions.

The program cost is due upfront, then the rebate is processed to you after each session.

Payment plans are available (pay in two instalments), and a concession rate ($600) is available if you would like to attend but the cost is slightly out of reach. Let me know if either of these would be helpful for you.

The program is a psychology-based program, and as per Medicare requirements, psychoeducation and cognitive-behavioural therapy principles will be consistently integrated each week.

If you have seen your GP for a Mental Health Care Plan for concerns such as anxiety or depression, then you may wish to discuss with your GP a Referral letter for group therapy sessions (under the Mental Health Care Plan scheme).

If your GP deems you eligible, they may write you a Referral letter for up to 10 sessions of group therapy under the Better Access scheme (the Mental Health Care Plan scheme). The referral letter needs to have:

• Your name, date of birth, and address

• Your symptoms or diagnosis

• A statement confirming a mental health treatment plan has been prepared

• A list of any current medications

• The number of sessions you are being referred for (as it is a group program, your GP may refer you for 10 sessions of group therapy)

• Your GP’s name and signature
  

If the letter doesn’t have all this information – sorry! But I cannot process your rebate. You will need to request your GP amends the letter.

For group therapy, Medicare allows all ten sessions to be on the one referral letter. The group sessions are in addition to individual sessions, per calendar year. Information about the Medicare requirements can be found on MBS online Item code 80024.

I have good news. If you have a Mental Health Care Plan, then each calendar year (1 Jan - 31 Dec) you are able to access 10 x individual sessions AND 10 x group sessions! You will need a valid referral letter (see above).

If you have used your 10 x individual sessions, then yes, you can still access 10 x group sessions. They are counted separately.