Frequently Asked Questions
Questions Are Part of Finding the Right Support
Starting therapy, joining a program or exploring an assessment can bring up a lot of questions. You might be wondering where to start, which service is the right fit, whether parents are involved, how fees and funding work, or what happens after you make an enquiry. This page brings together answers to some of the questions we hear most often.
You don’t need to have everything figured out before you contact us.
Getting Started.
I'm not sure which service we need. Where do I start?
You do not need to decide on a service before contacting us. You can tell us a little about what is happening, what you are hoping for and any questions you have. Our team can explain the relevant options and help you understand an appropriate next step.
Do I need a referral to contact the clinic?
No. You can contact The Social Space directly to enquire about therapy, assessments, programs or workshops. A referral may be relevant if you intend to access a particular Medicare rebate or funding pathway, but you do not need one simply to contact us or ask about services.
Can I book a free consultation first?
Yes. A free 15-minute consultation is an opportunity to ask questions, briefly discuss what you're looking for and understand possible next steps. It is not an assessment, therapy session or clinical advice.
Our Approach to Therapy.
How do I know whether psychological support might be helpful?
People seek psychological support for many different reasons. Sometimes there is a clear concern such as anxiety, emotional overwhelm, relationship difficulties, school challenges or a significant life change. Other times, someone may simply want help understanding themselves, developing practical strategies or working through something that has become difficult to manage alone. You do not need to wait until things become severe before asking questions or exploring support.
What happens in the first therapy appointment?
The first appointment is an opportunity to understand what has brought you to therapy, the person's strengths and circumstances, what is currently difficult, and what they would like support with. Depending on age, circumstances and the reason for attending, the first appointment may involve the individual, a parent/carer, or a combination. The psychologist can then discuss possible goals and recommendations.
How long does therapy take?
There is no single number of sessions that is right for everyone. The length and frequency of therapy depends on the person's goals, what they are working on, the type of support, and how things develop over time. Your psychologist can discuss recommendations with you as therapy progresses.
Are parents or carers involved?
Sometimes. The level of parent or carer involvement depends on factors such as the young person's age, the type of service, the goals, the program structure and what is clinically appropriate. Some programs include structured parent sessions as part of the model; others involve parent check-ins, guidance or online parent components. For adolescents, psychologists also consider the young person's privacy and growing independence.
What therapeutic approaches do you use?
Our psychologists draw on evidence-informed approaches according to the person, their goals and the psychologist's scope of practice. Approaches may include strategies informed by Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), emotion-focused work, parent support and other evidence-informed psychological approaches. Learn more about our psychology services.
Do you work with neurodivergent people?
Yes. The Social Space works with neurodivergent children, adolescents, young people and families across a range of services. Our approach is neurodiversity-affirming — we aim to understand the person, their environment, their strengths, their needs and the situations that may be creating difficulty. Support is not about teaching someone to appear less neurodivergent. Where relevant, we focus on understanding, self-advocacy, emotional wellbeing, practical skills, relationships and creating environments that work better for the individual.
What if my child or teen doesn't want to talk?
That is okay. Psychological support does not always have to begin with a long conversation. Depending on the person and their goals, psychologists may use activities, games, visual tools, shared interests, practical exercises or other ways of helping someone communicate and engage. The aim is not to force someone to talk before they feel ready.
How can I talk to my child or teen about coming to psychology?
Simple and honest language is usually best. Psychology can be described as a place where someone can talk about things that feel difficult, understand themselves better, learn practical strategies, or get help working through something that has become hard. It helps to avoid framing attendance as "something is wrong with you" or "you need to be fixed."
Is therapy confidential?
Yes. Psychologists have professional and legal obligations regarding privacy and confidentiality. There are circumstances where information may need to be shared, including where there are serious concerns about safety or where disclosure is required by law. Your clinician will explain confidentiality and its limits at the beginning of therapy.
Will parents be told everything discussed in their teenager's sessions?
As young people become older, an appropriate level of privacy can be important to the therapeutic relationship. Your psychologist will discuss confidentiality with the young person and their parent or carer, including what information may be shared and circumstances where confidentiality cannot be maintained.
Our Assessments.
What types of assessments do you offer?
We provide diagnostic and neurodevelopmental assessments for children, adolescents and adults. The assessment process is tailored to the individual and may involve clinical interviews, questionnaires, standardised assessment tools and information from relevant people such as parents or schools. See our Diagnostic Assessments page for current assessment types.
Do I need a referral for an assessment?
You can contact us directly to enquire about an assessment, and a referral is not generally required to book privately. A referral may be relevant if you intend to claim a Medicare rebate for an eligible assessment pathway. Our team can discuss the process, fees and whether our service is appropriate for your needs before you proceed.
How long does an assessment take?
Timing depends on the assessment type, the information required, the number of appointments, questionnaires or measures involved, and reporting requirements. There is no single duration that applies to every assessment. See Diagnostic Assessments for specific information.
Group Programs.
What group programs do you offer?
Our Group Programs are organised into Social Skills Programs, Emotion Based Programs (including the DBT Skills Program) and Parent Programs. Explore Group Programs.
Are group programs run all year?
It varies. Some programs run in scheduled blocks and some are currently offered on demand. Availability can change — the relevant program page shows current delivery status rather than a fixed annual calendar.
Does my child need a diagnosis to attend a group program?
Not necessarily. Eligibility varies depending on the particular program, but many of our groups and workshops are considered based on individual needs and goals rather than diagnosis alone. Contact our team if you are unsure.
What if my child is nervous about joining a group?
It is very common for children and young people to feel unsure about joining a new group. Our programs provide a structured and supportive environment, and facilitators help participants become familiar with the group and participate in ways appropriate to their needs.
Social Groups & Workshops.
What are Social Groups?
Social Groups are designed for people who may find larger or less structured social environments difficult, overwhelming or unpredictable. The aim is to create smaller, structured spaces built around shared interests, where people can spend time with peers in an environment that feels more manageable and comfortable.
What Social Groups are available?
Gaming Club is our current established Social Group, available on demand. Other proposed interest-based groups — LEGO Club, Art Club and Mental Fitness — depend on Expressions of Interest and are not currently running. Explore Social Groups.
What's the difference between a workshop and a group program?
Group Programs generally involve a structured series of sessions delivered over time. Workshops are shorter, focused learning experiences built around a particular topic or skill area. Exact format varies by workshop. Explore Workshops.
How do I find out when a workshop is running?
Current availability is shown on the individual workshop page. Where no date is published, you can register your interest or enquire and our team will let you know about current or planned availability.
School & Community.
Can The Social Space deliver programs in schools?
Yes. Selected Social Space programs can be delivered in school or community settings. Where possible, we aim to preserve the core structure of the established program while working with the school around practical delivery. Depending on the program and school setup, some parent components may be delivered online to make participation more practical. There is not one fixed school-delivery model.
Which programs can schools access?
Our School & Community Programs landing page links to the same canonical program pages families use to discover PEERS® for Preschoolers, PEERS® for Teenagers, Secret Agent Society®, Cool Kids and relevant workshops, including Transition to High School. Explore School & Community Programs.
Fees & Funding.
How much do appointments cost?
Fees vary according to the service, appointment duration and psychologist. Current consultation fees and information about potential funding pathways are available on our Fees & Funding page. See Fees & Funding.
Do I need a Mental Health Treatment Plan to see a psychologist?
No. You can access private psychological services without a Mental Health Treatment Plan. A relevant referral or treatment plan may be required if you intend to claim a Medicare rebate for an eligible service.
Can I claim a Medicare rebate?
Some psychological services may attract a Medicare rebate where the relevant eligibility and referral requirements are met. The rebate can depend on the service, the psychologist, the applicable Medicare item and current Medicare requirements. If you plan to claim Medicare, please check the current requirements and ensure you have the appropriate referral documentation. See Fees & Funding for more detail.
Can NDIS funding be used for services at The Social Space?
Some services may be relevant to the supports and goals included in an individual's NDIS plan. Whether funding can be used depends on the person's plan, how the plan is managed, the service being accessed, the person's goals and current NDIS requirements. Before using NDIS funding for a service, please confirm that the service is appropriate for your individual funding arrangement — our team can explain the service, its fee and relevant clinic documentation.
Can I claim through private health insurance?
Some private health policies may include benefits for psychological services. Eligibility and rebate amounts depend on the insurer, the policy, the psychologist and the service — please check directly with your insurer.
How much do group programs cost?
Fees vary between programs because programs differ in number of sessions, session length, structure and parent involvement. Where a current fee is available, it is shown on the relevant program page or confirmed during enquiry or registration.
Practical Questions.
Where are you located?
Level 1, Suite 3, 56 Church Avenue, Mascot NSW 2020.
What are your opening hours?
Monday–Friday, 9:30am–6:00pm. Saturday is reserved for group programs only, and all appointments are by appointment.
Do you offer online appointments?
Telehealth may be available for appropriate psychology services and can provide greater flexibility for individuals and families who prefer to access support from home. Suitability can be discussed with your clinician or our team.
How do I register for a program?
Registration pathways are shown on each program's page. Where registration is not currently open, contact our team and we can let you know about current or planned availability.
Still Have a Question?
You Don’t Need to Know Exactly What to Ask
If you haven’t found the answer you were looking for, contact our team and tell us what you’re trying to work out. We can explain our services, current program options and practical next steps.