Dr Elisabeth Bakes - Margaret River Clinical Psychologist

Clinical Psychologists provide a wide range of psychological services to individuals for mental health conditions that range from mild to severe and complex. As well, they may be involved in research, teaching and supervision, program development and evaluation, public policy and other activities. 

Clinical psychologists are trained in the assessment and diagnosis of mental illnesses and psychological problems and are qualified to provide advice in clinical and compensation areas. 

Using a range of techniques and therapies, they tailor programs to treat complex clinical psychology problems requiring individually tailored treatment. 

Clinical psychologists typically undertake 6-7 years tertiary education which includes supervised clinical practice in a range of settings and with a range of client groups. They engage in continual learning in areas such as prevention, diagnosis, assessment and treatment, including rehabilitation. 

Attending your first session with a psychologist can be daunting, and it is very normal to feel nervous and even anxious about doing so. Your psychologist will be aware of this, and will ensure as smooth and comfortable a process for you as possible.

Most psychologists will spend the first session focusing on getting an understanding of your history/background and what has prompted you to seek psychological support. To do this, they may ask you a number of questions about your life (e.g., family and history) and overall mental health experiences, and may ask you to fill out some questionnaires. 

Your psychologist is also there to answer any questions you might have about what to expect from the course of treatment, confidentiality, and modes of treatment available (i.e. in person or telehealth).

Before commencing your sessions with a psychologist, you will be required to complete intake and consent forms before your appointment. 

Consent forms cover issues such as privacy, confidentiality, and access to information. If you have any questions about these or your rights in therapy, this is a great opportunity to start that discussion with your psychologist in your first appointment. 

Take some time before the session to write down any other questions you might have, or main points you feel are the most important to communicate. If it is hard to clarify exactly what you would like to achieve from seeking psychological support, it can handy to frame it in what is called the “Miracle Question”1: If a miracle happens and whatever that brings you here gets solved, how would your life be different? How would you think, feel and behave differently?

Reflecting on this may help you clarify and communicate your goals, needs and purpose in attending sessions with your psychologist.

Clinical psychologists are informed by evidence-based practice. This covers a wide range of treatment approaches that can be tailored to your specific goals, presenting issues, and treatment preferences. Some common treatment approaches include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Interpersonal Therapy, however most psychologists are trained in a wide range of modalities which they can then tailor to create an individualised treatment plan.

In general, the underlying premise of many of these approaches is an exploration of your emotions, thoughts, and behaviour, and how these interact with each other. Your psychologist may also use specific approaches tailored to your individual circumstance, addressing issues such as trauma, relationship difficulties, grief, and life transitions.

Being an active participant in your sessions and taking an open and collaborative approach with your psychologist is the best way to get the most out of your sessions. 

Some treatment approaches will require you to do some homework between sessions, or practice skills and tools discussed in sessions. Writing a few notes on these experiences between sessions and bringing them in to explore is a useful way to support the transfer of what happens in sessions to your outside world.

On a practical note, ensuring your sessions are at a time and place where you can commit your full attention is important. This means, where possible, eliminating distractions related to work, family, or technology.

Psychological therapy sessions are available in person at my therapy room, via telehealth and telephone.

In your first session with your psychologist, you can discuss the number and frequency of your sessions as part of your overall treatment plan. 

Factors to consider may include:

• your current needs and goals you are hoping to achieve;

• the treatment approach you will be working on together;

• any constraints regarding time or finance you may need to consider.

The Medicare Better Access Scheme provides rebates for up to 10 sessions per calendar year with a psychologist when referred by your GP under a Mental Health Care Plan.

Having a collaborative and open discussion with your psychologist will help you both work out the session frequency and duration that best fits your needs, and this is something that can be reviewed as the treatment progresses. 

All psychologists are trained in evidence-based practice, which informs their treatment approach. Psychotherapy itself has been shown to be effective in reducing symptoms related to a wide number of common mental health disorders, including but not limited to Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, Depression, and Anxiety-related disorders.

Interestingly, there is also a strong research base indicating that a positive therapeutic relationship with your psychologist can play a very important role in how effective your sessions are. The quality of the relationship is not only connected with better treatment outcomes but it may even have as much as, if not more, impact on the effectiveness of your sessions than the treatment itself.

A positive therapeutic relationship is one where:

• You and your psychologist work together to establish your treatment goals

• You are able to provide regular feedback on how you feel your sessions are going

• You feel genuine warmth and empathy from your psychologist

Finding the right ‘match’ can be an important step into experiencing a positive therapeutic relationship. Every psychologist has different therapeutic styles and personality factors, and you may find that trying a few different psychologists to start with may help you find the best match for you.

Individuals - $280 / 60 mins

Couples - $300 / 60 mins

(Current Medicare rebate for Clinical Psychology is $145.25)

Cancellation < 24hrs notice - $100

Non attended booked appointment (without prior notice) - Full fees (Individual $280 / Couples $300)

ICWA / Worker's Compensation fees as per standard WA rates. Prior approval and authorisation for funding of treatment will be required prior to commencement of treatment under ICWA / Worker's Compensation.

Complete the Contact Form on this website, include a brief description of your query, and I will contact you to provide further information, discuss your therapy needs and goals, answer queries about the psychological treatments offered and arrange an appointment with you if we agree to continue.