FAQ – Australia
Frequently Asked Question For Australian Clients
FAQ
What is Mithrah Holistic Services?
It is an online and offline mental health service providing a platform which connects clients with the right therapist based on their individual needs. Mithrah Holistic Services can be known as MHS or Mithrah on this site.
What is Your ABN number?
Our ABN number is 42894383492
Are all your therapists or Mithrahs employed by you?
Not all. Some may be employed by us or contracted by us. Most use our online services through contracts and business agreements. They may often have their own businesses and ABN. They usually get into the contract with us to use our platform. Sometimes, they can collaborate with us using other form of business agreements. Each therapist will have a proper profile that can be viewed by the clients which will have information about their services. A client needs to check their profile before deciding if the therapist will suit them.
Are these therapists safe to see as sensitive and confidential information will be discussed with them?
We take due care to verify their credentials. We ensure that they sign our declarations. We also ensure that they are part of professional associations and have adequate insurance covers. However, we encourage clients to ask relevant questions to the therapists directly.
Who are Mithrah’s therapists?
Our therapists are qualified mental health professionals and practitioners who provide mental health services through Mithrah Holistic Services.
When you are ready to book a session, simply choose an available time slot and follow the steps to finalise the booking. You may have to first find a therapist that is right for you or you can let us book a therapist suitable for you.
Can I book face-to-face appointments?
We do offer face-to-face sessions in some locations. This service also depends on the preference of the therapists. You can select this option when choosing your therapist as your therapist’s profile will have those information. You can alternatively get in touch with us or your therapist to have more information on how to book an in-person appointment.
How long are the sessions?
Each session lasts between 40 and 50 minutes. However, you can book a longer session as well. The fee will vary depending on the duration of the session.
Psychiatrists, psychologists, psychotherapists, counsellors, mental health social workers… What’s the difference?
Psychologists are legally protected professionals as psychiatrists in Australia. They provide counselling and mental health services that are also involved with all matters of mind which comprises everyday thought processes and behaviours. Psychologists may work with patients in a clinical setting to assist with complex mental health conditions. If you are someone with a formal diagnosis, a psychologist might be a good choice. A psychologist may be a Medicare provider, which will allow you to claim a rebate if you are referred by a GP.
Psychiatrists
A psychiatrist is a physician who specializes in psychiatry. Psychiatrists are physicians who undertake several years of regulated studies and practice. Their profession is legally protected and regulated. They evaluate patients to determine whether their symptoms are the result of a physical illness, a combination of physical and mental ailments or strictly mental issues.
Mental Health Social Workers
According to AASW, mental health social workers are trained in the assessment and treatment of mental health issues. They work with people who have mental health problems in a holistic practical way to manage social factors to help them get well. The social work profession is not a legally protected profession. Hence they are not regulated by regulatory bodies in Australia as of October 2023.
Counsellors
Psychotherapists
A psychotherapist uses talk therapy to treat people for emotional problems and mental illnesses. They are known as talking therapists. Depending on what degree and specialty they get, psychotherapists can be psychiatrists, psychologists, counsellors, or social workers. They can work with individuals, couples, groups, or families.
Psychotherapists use talk therapy to help you manage with general emotional unrest or acute trauma or illness. They treat everything from daily overwhelm to grief to specific mental disorders like depression or anxiety. Sometimes talk therapy is used in combination with medications or lifestyle changes. However, not all psychotherapists are licensed to prescribe medication. In general, the title and profession of psychotherapist is not legally protected which means anybody with a minimum qualification and experience in psychotherapy can call themselves psychotherapists. Hence, at Mithrah, we ensure our psychotherapists are adequately qualified and their qualifications are listed in their profile clearly.
What are professional associations?
Mental health professionals join private companies to network, self-regulate and continuously develop their profession. These private companies that provide platforms for the relevant professionals to network and grow together are known as professional associations.
What is a national regulatory body?
Regulatory bodies regulate professionals such as General Practitioners, Psychiatrists and Psychologists according to national law. E.g AHPRA
What are self-regulatory professional bodies?
Some professionals form their own private associations and self-regulate themselves to meet professional obligations set by themselves as these professionals are not regulated by law. E.g Private associations formed by social workers, Counsellors, Psychotherapists
How to lodge a complaint against the therapists?
AHPRA, HCCC and NCAT are the organisations that can be used to lodge a complaint against health care professionals. Some professionals such as counsellors, social workers and psychotherapists are not professionals with protected titles. Hence, they may be reported with HCCC and NCAT along with their professional associations in which they are registered.
You can lodge a complaint about our therapists who provide services via our site. We will try to support you and help you reach out to a dispute resolution if it is within our capacity provided all those who are related to it agree to it.
Alternatively, you can seek legal help from the legal experts of your country and/or seek resolution through legal systems.
What is Telehealth Therapy?
Telehealth is very similar to in-person therapy, only difference is that it’s done via your computer and webcam. Sometimes, it can be provided by telephone.
This gives the added benefit of not having to travel to your appointment and you can attend the session from the comfort and privacy of your own home.
Studies have shown that Telehealth is just as beneficial as in-person sessions and is preferred in many cases as it removes barriers.
How do I connect to my telehealth session?
Mithrah provides a secure video platform that connects you with your therapist. When you’ve booked a session, you’ll receive an email with a link to join your video session. You can connect to your video call using your computer, tablet or mobile phone at the scheduled time by clicking the link sent by your therapist.
Telephone services works in one of these two ways based on the agreement between your therapist and you:
- You will receive a call from the therapist from their number at the scheduled time
- You can call the number provided by your therapist at the scheduled time
Can I claim a Medicare rebate?
It depends upon your therapist. you may be eligible to claim a Medicare rebate if your therapist is Medicare registered. You must have a GP referral and a Mental Health Plan.
After each session we will process your Medicare claim for you, so you don’t have to worry about any paperwork.
To learn more you can check out our Medicare FAQ page or get started with Medicare.
I’m a therapist, how do I join Mithrah?
You can learn about Mithrah and join us if you meet the requirement criteria by clicking the process here.
How do I sign up for an account?
If you create an account here or sign up when you are ready to make a booking.
What is your cancellation policy?
If you cancel your session with more than 48 hours’ notice, We have a policy to refund your full fees. If you cancel your session within 48 hours of the scheduled appointment, you may not receive any refund.
Can I get a refund if I had connection issues during my telehealth session?
If your telehealth session did not meet expectations and your session was significantly interrupted due to technical issues from our side, then please contact us to request a refund.
We may not be able to refund if the client has failed to fulfil their obligations due to their negligence or poor quality of internet/technology from their end.
I’ve forgotten my password, how do I log in?
It is easy to reset your password.
What happens once I’ve booked my session?
A confirmation email with all the appointment details will be sent to you after you have booked the session.
If you’ve booked an in-person appointment, you’ll receive the therapist’s address.
If it’s a telehealth appointment, then your email will contain a join link. Simply click the join link and you’ll be connected to your therapist via your web browser.
Ensure that your webcam and microphone are turned on and that you allow access to it.
If you prefer telephone counselling, you will be contacted via telephone.
I’m under 18, can I use Mithrah?
Yes, you ca. However, please be sure to choose either ‘Teenager’ or ‘Child’ when making your appointment. If you are under 16 years old, you must have parental supervision when booking and attending your appointment.
Are the therapists qualified and registered?
The therapists who use our platform are adequately qualified and may be registered with national and international professional bodies such as AHPRA, IAAMHP, APS, AAPi, AASW, PACFA, ACWA, InSPA, NAPSWI, and NAPSIndia. However, we do not keep track of their professional memberships or qualifications. The clients are encourage to confirm this with their therapists.
How much does the therapeutic counselling session cost?
The prices of standard counselling sessions range from between $60 to $280 depending on the therapist and their expertise. You can find a therapist within your budget by using the search filters given in our site. The assessment and mental health report services may cost additional amount depending upon the nature of the services and time involved in achieving the outcome.
Are my video sessions private and secure?
Yes, all video sessions use our secure video software and are encrypted and solely between you and your therapist. Your video session is not recorded or stored.
Who should I speak to if I am in a crisis and need emergency assistance?
If you are experiencing suicidal or homicidal thoughts or if you or someone else may be in danger, call 000 for immediate assistance, do not use this site.
If you are in distress and need to talk to someone immediately please look to use one of the following resources for help.
Lifeline Australia – https://www.lifeline.org.au – 13 11 14
Suicide Call Back Service – https://www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au – 1300 659 467
Beyond Blue – https://www.beyondblue.org.au – 1300 22 46 36
Are the therapists on Mithrah right for me?
If you are looking to develop your psychological resilience and overall mental well-being according to your community, religion, culture, personal values, and languages by connecting with a therapist who can teach you techniques and talk through your issues, then we assure you that Mithrah is the right place for you.
The therapists at Mithrah can help with issues such as stress, anxiety, depression, anger management, relationships, family conflict, self-esteem, grief and more.
Mithrah is not the right solution for you if:
- you are in need of an emergency situation requiring immediate help.
- you are in an urgent crisis and require immediate care.
- you have had suicidal thoughts or thoughts of hurting yourself or others
- you have been diagnosed with a severe mental illness
- you have been recommended to be in psychological supervision or psychiatric care
To get the most out of the Mithrah platform you must have a good and stable connection to the internet.
My webcam or microphone isn’t working, now what?
Check that your webcam and microphone are turned on and that you have allowed access to them.
If you are not able to attend your session due to your webcam or microphone not working, please first take a look at this support article.
If you are still not able to connect to your session then your therapist will call you on the mobile number you gave when booking your appointment.
If you have not heard from them or would like to contact them directly, please contact us at once.
Why should I use Mithrah?
Finding the right therapist can be tough. You need to ensure you have a good rapport and they have the experience and expertise to help you.
Our goal at Mithrah is to connect you with the right therapist for you.
Instead of automatically assigning you a therapist we have created a platform that allows you to search, filter and chat with therapists before making a booking. You can view their profile, see a photo, watch their video and send them a message to ensure they are a good match.
You may also use our matching tool to find a suitable therapist for you.
How can I contact/message a therapist?
Simply find a therapist and view their profile. You can then click ‘Send Message’ to ask the therapist a question before placing a booking.
You will need to create an account or login before sending a message. You’ll receive an email once the therapist replies to you.
Do you accept private health insurance in Australia?
You may be able to claim back the cost of your therapy through your private health insurance. You must first check your own policy to ensure they cover therapy.
Please check with your insurance provider to confirm this before seeing the therapist. You may be covered by.:
- Bupa
- Medibank Private
- AHM Health
- Police Health Fund
- CUA Health
- Doctors Health Fund
- Australian Unity
- GMHBA
- Mildura Health Fund
- nib
- HBF
- HCF
And a lot more insurers.
I need further help, how can I get in touch with you?
Please visit our contact page to see the different options.
How do I change the date/time of my session?
You can change your session date/time by writing to the therapist provided the therapist agrees to it.
How do I cancel my session?
You can change your session date/time by writing to the therapist provided the therapist agrees to it.
Are my payment and credit card details secure?
Yes, all payment information is encrypted. We use payment gateway service providers that are trusted by millions of businesses and consumers.
Can you match me with a therapist?
Yes, we have a self-assessment form that you can use to get matched with a suitable therapist for you.
Start your self-assessment now.
Where can I find more information and get support?
You can view all our support articles which provide answers to your queries. If you need to contact us for any further information, you can do so here.
How do I claim private health?
Many private health funds include mental health services in their policy extras, so it’s important to check your policy to ensure it’s included in your coverage. Once you have confirmed your coverage, you can book a counsellor, social worker, psychotherapist, psychologist or clinical psychologist near you as long as the therapist is an approved provider. Read more on claiming therapy on private health.
Some of the private insurance providers:
- Bupa
- Medibank Private
- AHM Health
- Police Health Fund
- CUA Health
- Doctors Health Fund
- National Disability Insurance Scheme
- Medicare
- Australian Unity
- GMHBA
- Mildura Health Fund
- nib
- HBF
- HCF
For further questions and clarification, contact us at contact@mithrah.com. Thanks.