Where are your consulting rooms located?

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• Most sessions are delivered by videoconference, however by special arrangement Ekstedt Consulting also utilises consulting rooms located in Woodend and inner Melbourne.

• Sessions conducted at client premises are also possible by arrangement, and are subject to additional fees.

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Do you offer remote consultations via videoconference?

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• Yes, most Ekstedt Consulting consultations are conducted via videoconference.

• Videoconference clients may be located anywhere in the world except the USA and Canada. This restriction is due to the prohibitive cost of professional indemnity insurance coverage in those countries.

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What days and hours are you available?

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• Ekstedt Consulting predominantly provides client sessions between 9am and 5pm on Fridays. You can see and instantly book available appointments by using the "Book online" link in the website menu, or by clicking here.

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What technology do I need for videoconferencing?

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• Remote sessions are conducted via Zoom, which is available on PC, Mac, IOS and Android platforms. Most laptops, computers, tablets and smartphones can be used.

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What are your fees?

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Standard fees for counselling and coaching sessions are as follows:

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• Initial intake session - videoconference - (60 minutes): $270

• Standard session - videoconference - (50 minutes): $220

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• Initial intake session - face-to-face - (60 minutes): $290

• Standard session - face-to-face - (50 minutes): $240

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• Surcharge for sessions conducted at client sites in metropolitan Melbourne and central Victoria: Price can be provided based on location - usually $50 to $100 on top of standard fees
   

• Clinical supervision for registered counsellors (online - 50 minutes): $140

 

Fees for other services (sessions at client's premises outside metropolitan Melbourne, group facilitation, advisory services, public speaking) are determined on a case-by-case basis.

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Do you have cancellation fees?

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• Appointments may be cancelled or rescheduled by clients at no cost with more than 24 hours' notice. 

• Appointments that are cancelled or rescheduled by clients with less than 24 hours' notice are subject to a late cancellation fee which is 50% of the regular fee.

• The full fee is payable if clients fail to attend appointments without cancelling or rescheduling.

• In the rare event that a session must be cancelled by Ekstedt Consulting there is no fee payable and the client will receive a 10% discount on his/her next session.

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What payment options do you offer?

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• Credit card payment is required for initial intake appointments. This can be securely processed using the "Book online" menu item at the top of every page on our website.

• For subsequent sessions clients may pay by credit card or electronic funds transfer using the details on the invoice. Payment by credit card at the time of booking is also available.

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Can I claim any of the cost back through Medicare or private health insurance?

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• Medicare rebates are not available.

• Some private health insurers will allow customers to claim counselling sessions. Enquiries about coverage should initially be directed to your insurer.

• Ekstedt Consulting is not currently registered as a provider for any private health insurers, however we will consider becoming a provider for regular clients upon request. Pete Ekstedt meets the provider eligibility requirements for health insurers including: Bupa, Medibank, ahm, Doctors Health Fund, Police Health Fund, Saint Luke’s, Phoenix Health, Emergency Services Health and Grand United.

• Coaching sessions in which mental health counselling is not conducted are not usually covered by health insurers. 

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What can I expect from the sessions?

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As we carefully customise the approach for each client the steps will vary significantly. However, in broad terms:

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• An initial intake session will run for 60 minutes, during which the client will be taken through our informed consent process, asked for background information about the reason(s) she/he has sought our services, and for an outline of what the client would like to achieve through coaching.

• Subsequent sessions will usually run for 50 minutes.

• The initial phase will involve the collaborative development of a plan to enable the client to achieve his/her goals. This often takes between one and three sessions.

• The middle phase involves the implementation and monitoring of the plan. It will vary significantly based on the needs and attributes of the client. This may include structured and unstructured discussions, cognitive and behavioural interventions, skills development, creation of journals/diaries, role play, examination of patterns and relationships, couples and/or family therapy sessions, and many other possible interventions. Often this phase takes between three and twelve sessions.

• The end phase involves the planned termination of coaching and/or counselling. This will incorporate planning for the prevention of relapses into previous problems, development of plans to maintain gains and (when required) referrals to other professionals. Often this phase takes between 1 and 3 sessions.​​

• Some clients may elect to have an ongoing, longer term engagement with Ekstedt Consulting to maintain their wellbeing.

 

Are you a health service?​

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• Ekstedt Consulting is a hybrid practice that provides some allied health care services (counselling) and some professional development services (coaching and group facilitation) that are not allied health care services.

• All counselling is provided in accordance with the Victorian Government's Code of Conduct for General Health Services and the Australian Counselling Association Code of Ethics and Practice.

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