Working with clients in Private practice

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

What’s my name? Dr Michelle Pain

 

Qualifications        BSc, DipEd(Psych), MEd, PhD

 

My practice address  I'm in Mentone, please email me for details

 

Length of a session? One hour

 

Cost       $160 / hour (as of 1st Jan 2016)

 

Can I get a Medicare or Private Health Insurance rebate

Yes, if a clinical issue is referred by a GP, a certain number of sessions may be covered by Medicare or Private Health Insurance with Extras cover. However I would like to point out that my fee is less than the scheduled APS fee (of around $220/hour) so I believe it is still good value for money for non-clinical issues that aren’t covered by Medicare or Private Health Insurance.

 

How do I book a session?

Email me and we’ll work out a time that suits us both (weekends, evenings or week days).

 

What happens in a session?

You let me know why you think you need assistance, and the two of us will decide upon a course of action to help you work on your issue. Typically, I have my first time clients complete a questionnaire to identify their mental strengths and weaknesses, and I use this information to work out what to do next.

 

I aim to make the sessions really practical, so I expect you to be able to use some or all of the tools I’ve taught you right away in training or competition. You may only need one session.

You may enjoy the experience so much, and want to learn much more about ways to improve yourself, that you’ll want more than one session. It’s entirely up to you...

Just book one session at a time.

 

Do I need to bring anything, or prepare anything?

No. Everything you need will be provided (eg paper, pen).

 

You can expect to leave with some notes we’ve made on your session, as well as any questionnaire results you may have completed.

 

 

My previous clients

 

I’ve worked with athletes and coaches in many different sports at different levels (recreational through to elite). I’ve worked with individuals and with teams. My clients have tended to be aged between 12 and 25, but I do see clients younger and older than this.

 

My Career Highlights

 

‘Inventing’ Pocket Psychology 

These are brief videos (less than 2 minutes) to remind athletes or others of good thinking behaviours. The are loaded onto the person’s own equipment and accessed whenever the person feels like they need a mental boost.

 

Writing an instructional eBook (Sport Psychology Tools for Every Coach and Athlete) 

I believe in making tools that are accessible to athletes and coaches, no matter where they are in the world. Technology allows me to do this - I love my Mac. 

 

Developed and taught in the first sport psychology coursework Masters degree in Australia at Monash University, 1991.

Having a post graduate pathway meant removal of objections by The Australian Psychological Society, leading to the creation of what is now the College of Sport and Exercise Psychologists, and I proudly served on the first National Committee and have served terms as Sectretary and President of the Victorian College of Sport Psychologists in the 1990s.

 

Working with teams

I love working with groups of players. I recognise not everybody wants to work with a sport psychologist, but we do have some useful tips to impart. I love it when the coaches try to soak up as much information (and take part in the same activities) as the players. I believe it can be a more effective practice to work with and through the coaches to change a team’s behaviour. 

 

Being ‘at home’ at training on the centre of the MCG

There’s nothing like it - it’s an awesome ground - and I was so thankful to have had the opportunity to work with the Women's Cricket Team, VicSpirit - a fabulous experience!

 

 

Use the Contacts page to email Michelle to book a session