Booking & Attending your first appointment
Wondering what the process is to book your first appointment, and what will happen in that appointment? All your questions answered below.
If you are new to therapy, it might seem a bit daunting to book and attend your first appointment with a psychologist. Here is what to expect from your first psychology appointment with a practitioner at the READ Clinic.
Booking your first psychology appointment
Our Client Care Team is warm and caring, and will make booking your appointment as easy as possible for you.
A great way to get started is by completing our online enquiry form. Our Client Care Team will then give you a call to finalise your booking. Alternatively you can just pick up the phone and call us on (02) 4363 6600. Our phone lines are available Monday to Friday 8:30am – 5:00pm, and 8:00am – 4:00pm on Saturdays.
What information do you need to book your first psychology appointment?
The Client Care Team will ask you for a brief reason as to why you need to attend therapy, whether you have a Mental Health Treatment Plan referral from your GP, whether you have NDIS funding, or are attending under WorkCover. They will then be able to recommend the psychologist that is the best fit for you. The Client Care Team will also tell you about the fees and cancellation policy, and will ask you for credit card details which are stored securely on our system.
We recommend you book at least 4 sessions to ensure you can get in to see your psychologist consistently – these are usually booked in fortnightly to start with, but this can be adjusted after your first session (your “initial consultation”) with your psychologist. You will then receive an appointment schedule via email. Before each appointment you will get a reminder by SMS and email as well.
Intake Forms
Once your first appointment has been booked, the Client Care Team will send intake forms by email. These forms need to be completed online – they can be done on a phone, but it is easier on a laptop. We ask you to complete the intake forms before you attend your first appointment so that you don’t have to use up your valuable session time doing them. It also gives your practitioner the opportunity to prepare for your first session.
For children of separated families, additional forms are required. Read more about our separated family policy here.
Referrals and Funding Plans
Mental Health Treatment Plans can either be emailed before your appointment, or you can bring it along to your first appointment. Alternatively your GP may have emailed it directly.
If you or your child is attending under NDIS funding, we will need a copy of your NDIS plan emailed to the Client Care Team prior to your first appointment.
WorkCover referrals need to be provided before your first appointment.
Arriving for your first psychology appointment
We recommend you arrive about 10 minutes before your session is due to start so that you can check in with reception and get comfortable in the space before your appointment.
Free parking is available at both sites, and both clinics have stair-free access available. READ Clinic West Gosford is accessible by lift. For more details about getting to the clinics, please see our contact page.
If the appointment is for a child, we have dedicated child waiting rooms at both clinics where they can watch movies and play with toys. Both clinics also have a colouring-in competition which can be a great way for your child to relax and get comfortable before their session.
Your practitioner will come out to reception to meet you, and then you will go to their consulting room. All our consulting rooms are comfortable, safe spaces where you can feel at ease.
What happens in your first appointment?
The purpose of this session is to understand what you would like to work on and what you would like to achieve by coming to therapy.
Your psychologist will discuss topics including family history, presenting difficulties, history of these concerns, as well as diet, exercise, and sleep. They will also outline our clinic policies to make sure you feel comfortable with our service.
If the appointment is for your child, the first session will involve one or both parents as well.
After your first appointment
After your first appointment your psychologist may give you some homework, additional screeners to complete, and some things to think about or practice before your next session.
They will confirm the frequency of sessions and you can amend/make additional bookings as required (follow-up appointments can be made/amended online except for couples therapy).
We may send you a quick survey to understand your experience of attending your first session. This survey won’t ask you anything personal, and participation is entirely voluntary.
Our Client Care Team
Book your first appointment
To make your first appointment, please call us on 4363 6600, or complete our online enquiry form.