Gannon Jones
PSYCHOLOGIST
GDipPsy. BAPsy, BAPhil
Gannon is a Registered Psychologist who provides an…
What Does a Psychologist Do?
A psychologist is a tertiary-educated mental health professional who assesses, diagnoses, and treats mental health conditions using evidence-based psychological therapies. In Australia, every psychologist must be registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) through the Psychology Board of Australia. That registration is a legal requirement, the title “psychologist” is protected, and only registered practitioners can use it.
Psychologists are trained to work with a wide range of mental health concerns, including anxiety, depression, trauma and PTSD, OCD, grief, relationship difficulties, workplace stress, and significant life transitions. They use structured, research-backed approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Schema Therapy, and trauma-focused therapies, depending on what the presenting issue calls for.
Registered psychologist vs clinical psychologist
Both registered psychologists and clinical psychologists are AHPRA-registered and can assess, diagnose, and treat mental health conditions. The difference is the training pathway and the Medicare item number that applies to sessions.
- Registered psychologist: Completes a minimum six-year accredited pathway (four years of university study plus two years of supervised practice or postgraduate study).
- Clinical psychologist: Completes the same general registration pathway and then an additional Master’s or Doctorate in clinical psychology, plus an AHPRA endorsement in clinical psychology.
In practice, both roles deliver evidence-based therapy. Clinical psychologists typically charge higher fees and attract a higher Medicare rebate.
Psychologist vs counsellor
A psychologist is registered with AHPRA and can diagnose mental health conditions. A counsellor is registered with one of the counselling associations (ACA, PACFA, AASW, or CCAA) and is not able to formally diagnose. Counsellors are well suited to life stress, relationship issues, and personal growth work. Psychologists are usually the right fit when you need a formal assessment, are managing a diagnosed condition, or want to access a Medicare rebate.
Breathe Counselling also offers counselling services if a counsellor is a better fit for what you are working through.
Why See a Psychologist in Perth?
Perth’s Mental Health Landscape. Why Local Access Matters
Demand for psychology services in Perth has climbed steadily over the last several years, driven by FIFO and shift-work pressure, cost-of-living strain, and the same population growth that is reshaping the outer suburbs. Wait times at established inner-city practices are now routinely measured in months rather than weeks.
Most private psychology clinics in Perth are concentrated in the inner ring: Subiaco, Cottesloe, Nedlands, West Perth. Residents living south of the river around Rockingham, Baldivis, and Mandurah, and those out east in Midland, Mundaring, and the Swan Valley, have historically been underserved. A 45-minute drive each way to a 50-minute session is not realistic for most working adults, parents, or anyone managing FIFO rosters.
That outer-metro gap is the reason Breathe Counselling operates from Rockingham and Midland. Both locations sit on Perth’s major rail lines and serve catchments that have historically had to either travel inwards or wait months for support closer to home. For clients in regional WA or on remote sites, the same registered psychologists deliver sessions through our Breathe Anywhere telehealth program.
Our Perth Psychology Clinic Locations
Rockingham Clinic Midland Clinic
What Our Psychologists Can Help With
Our psychologists work with adults across a wide range of mental health concerns. If your situation does not appear on the list below, it does not mean we cannot help. Simply get in touch and we will let you know whether we are the right fit or refer you to someone better placed to help.
- Anxiety and anxiety disorders
- Depression and persistent low mood
- Trauma and PTSD
- OCD and intrusive thoughts
- Grief and loss
- Relationship difficulties
- Work-related stress and burnout
- FIFO and shift-work stress, particularly relevant for our Rockingham clients with the Kwinana industrial corridor and Defence presence nearby
- Life transitions (separation, career change, relocation, becoming a parent)
- Self-esteem and identity
- Sleep difficulties
- Anger and emotional regulation
Unsure whether your situation fits? Contact us with a short note about what is going on, and we will let you know whether one of our psychologists is the right fit or point you to someone who is.
Psychology Costs, Medicare Rebates & Fees in Perth
Do I need a referral to see a psychologist?
No. You do not need a GP referral to see a psychologist privately, you can self-refer and book directly. But, a referral is required if you want to access a Medicare rebate.
To access the rebate, you need a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) from your GP. The standard pathway looks like this:
Book a long appointment with your GP and let reception know you want to discuss a Mental Health Care Plan.
Your GP completes an assessment and, if you are eligible, writes a Mental Health Care Plan along with a referral letter to a psychologist.
You book in with us, send through your plan and referral letter ahead of your first session, and the Medicare rebate applies from your first appointment.
After your sixth session, your psychologist sends a brief progress letter to your GP. You then see your GP again to access the remaining sessions, up to the annual cap.
Medicare rebates for psychology in Perth
Under the Better Access initiative, eligible Australians can claim a Medicare rebate for up to ten individual psychology sessions per calendar year. The rebate amount depends on the practitioner’s registration level:
| Provider type | Medicare rebate (per session) | MBS item number |
|---|---|---|
| Registered psychologist | $101.95 | 80110 (in-person) / 91170 (video) |
| Clinical psychologist | $149.05 | 80010 (in-person) / 91167 (video) |
Rebates are the same whether the session is delivered in person or through video telehealth. They are not paid for phone-only sessions in most circumstances.
Rebate amounts current as of 1 July 2026 and remain the rates in effect through 2027 as set by MBS Online.
Breathe Counselling psychology fees
For exact fees, please see our individual psychologist rates.
- Medicare rebate (registered psychologist): $101.95
- Telehealth fee: Same as in-person.
- Payment: Card payment processed during each session. Medicare rebate is submitted on your behalf and typically lands in your nominated bank account within one to two business days.
Private health insurance
Many extras policies cover psychology; the amount you can claim depends on your fund and level of cover. We provide an itemised receipt after each session so you can submit it to your fund. You cannot claim both a Medicare rebate and private health insurance for the same session.
NDIS
We work with NDIS participants on self-managed and plan-managed plans. Please contact us for a referral to a suitable provider.
EAP and workplace referrals
We accept EAP referrals. Please contact us if you need help finding a suitable provider.
What Happens When You See a Psychologist at Breathe Counselling?
A lot of first-time clients tell us they were nervous before their first session. That is normal, and it is part of why we walk every new client through the same clear, low-pressure process.
- Book your appointment. Use the online booking system or call us. Choose Rockingham, Midland, or telehealth, and pick a time that works for you.
- Complete a short intake form. Before your first session, we will send you a short form that covers your presenting concerns, history, and goals. It saves us time in the room and helps your psychologist prepare.
- First session – assessment. Your psychologist will listen, ask questions, and start building a picture of what is going on. There is no pressure to cover everything at once. Many people feel the relief of being heard in this session alone.
- Agree on a treatment plan together. You and your psychologist agree on goals and an approach. You are always involved in the decisions, this is your work, not something done to you.
- Ongoing sessions. Frequency is decided together, usually weekly or fortnightly to start. Treatment is adjusted as you progress.
- Review and completion. Sessions are not open-ended. Your psychologist will review your progress at regular intervals and discuss next steps or discharge when your goals are met.
Can’t Make It In? Telehealth Psychology Available Across Perth and WA
If you cannot get to Rockingham or Midland in person, book the telehealth (online) option for any of our two psychologists above.
Telehealth is well-suited to:
- FIFO and shift workers who cannot commit to fixed in-person times
- Clients in regional and remote WA who do not have a psychologist within a reasonable travelling distance
- Clients with mobility, transport, or caring responsibilities that make travel difficult
- Clients who simply find it easier to open up from a familiar, private space at home
The clinical standard is identical to our in-person sessions. The platform we use meets the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles, and uses clinical-grade encrypted video. Medicare rebates apply to eligible telehealth psychology sessions in the same way they apply to in-person sessions, under MBS items 91167 (clinical psychologist) and 91170 (registered psychologist).
See our full telehealth service page
Psychologist or Counsellor — Which Is Right for You?
Both psychologists and counsellors offer valuable support, and which one is right for you depends on what you are working through and whether you want to access a Medicare rebate. The table below covers the main differences.
| Psychologist | Counsellor | |
|---|---|---|
| Registration | AHPRA (Psychology Board of Australia) | ACA, PACFA, AASW or CCAA |
| Training | Minimum 6-year university pathway, plus supervised practice | Typically a 3 to 4-year degree or postgraduate diploma; varies by provider |
| Can diagnose? | Yes | No |
| Medicare rebates? | Yes, with a Mental Health Care Plan from your GP | No (limited exceptions for some eligible providers) |
| Best for | Diagnosed conditions, complex mental health, formal psychological assessment | Life stress, relationship issues, personal growth, mild to moderate concerns |
| At Breathe Counselling? | Yes. Rockingham and Midland | Yes, Multiple practitioners across Perth |
Both psychologists and counsellors at Breathe Counselling work in a warm, evidence-informed style. If you are not sure which type of practitioner fits your situation, send us a short note and we will help you decide.
Crisis & Emergency Resources
Breathe Counselling is not a crisis service. If you are in immediate distress or worried about your safety, please contact one of the services below, they are staffed by people trained to help, and you are welcome to call.
- Lifeline: 13 11 14 (24/7)
- Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 (24/7)
- Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467 (24/7)
- Mental Health Emergency Response Line (WA): 1300 555 788 (metro) or 1800 676 822 (Peel)
- 13YARN (First Nations crisis support): 13 92 76 (24/7)
- Emergency: 000
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Reaching out takes courage. Whether you have been thinking about it for weeks or you only decided this morning, you are welcome here. We are accepting new clients at our Rockingham and Midland clinics, and telehealth is available across Perth and the rest of WA.
Our Psychologists
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Elizabeth Rodwell
PSYCHOLOGIST
MA(IR), BPsych
Elizabeth Rodwell is a registered psychologist in Rockingham….
Eleanor Middleton
PSYCHOLOGIST
B.Psych, BA.Psych
Eleanor is available for online counselling. She has…
FAQs - Psychologist Perth
Do I need a GP referral to see a psychologist?
No, not to see a psychologist privately — you can self-refer and book directly. You only need a GP referral and a Mental Health Care Plan if you want to claim a Medicare rebate for your sessions.
How much does a psychologist cost in Perth with Medicare?
After the Medicare rebate, the out-of-pocket gap depends on the psychologist's standard fee and whether they are a registered or clinical psychologist. As a guide, the Medicare rebate is $98.95 for a session with a registered psychologist and $145.25 for a session with a clinical psychologist. Private psychology fees across Perth typically sit between $200 and $280, so most clients pay a gap of roughly $100 to $180 per session.
What is a Mental Health Care Plan and how do I get one?
A Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP), sometimes called a Mental Health Treatment Plan, is a document your GP prepares with you that confirms you meet the eligibility criteria for the Better Access initiative. You book a long appointment with your GP, they complete the assessment in the room, and they then write the plan and a referral letter to a psychologist. The plan covers up to ten individual sessions per calendar year, reviewed after the sixth session.
How many sessions will I need?
It depends on what you are working through. Many people see meaningful change within 6 to 12 sessions, and most clients use fewer than ten sessions in a year. Your psychologist will review progress regularly and adjust the plan with you.
What is the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist?
A psychologist provides talking therapy and is not a medical doctor. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specialises in mental health, can prescribe medication, and manages complex psychiatric conditions. Psychologists and psychiatrists often work together, for example, if medication and therapy are both useful for managing a condition like severe depression or bipolar disorder.
Can I see a psychologist by telehealth and still claim a Medicare rebate?
Yes. Telehealth psychology sessions delivered by video attract the same Medicare rebate as equivalent in-person sessions under MBS items 91167 (clinical psychologist) and 91170 (registered psychologist), provided you have a valid Mental Health Care Plan and referral. Phone-only sessions are usually not rebatable except in specific circumstances.
What if I don't connect with my psychologist, can I switch?
Yes, easily. The therapeutic relationship matters, and not every psychologist is the right fit for every client. If you would prefer to switch (to our other psychologist or to one of our counsellors), let us know and we will arrange it.
Is what I tell my psychologist confidential?
Yes. Everything you share with your psychologist is confidential, with a small number of legal exceptions: when there is a risk of serious harm to you or someone else, when a subpoena is issued by a court, or when a child is at risk of harm. Your psychologist will walk you through the limits of confidentiality in your first session.
Do you see FIFO workers or people with irregular schedules?
Yes, and we have specifically structured our offering to support FIFO and shift workers. Our telehealth program means you can keep continuity of care from camp, on swing, or interstate. Our Rockingham clinic is also well placed for clients working out of the Kwinana industrial corridor and surrounding Defence facilities.
What therapeutic approaches do your psychologists use?
Our psychologists draw on evidence-based modalities including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Schema Therapy, mindfulness-based approaches, and trauma-focused therapies such as EMDR where indicated. The approach is matched to what you are working through, not the other way around.