Eija Stewart
Confidentiality
Everything that you discuss in confidential, except under the following circumstances where:
- Your file is subpoenaed to court.
- You disclose that you intend to harm yourself.
- You disclose that you intend to harm someone else.
- You disclose information about threat to a minor.
- Information about malpractice by another psychologist/health professional is disclosed.
- You provide approval to release information to other parties (eg. correspondence to a GP); or give permission to discuss specific issues with another professional, agency or family member
If you are being seen through Medicare or an insurance company (ie. Workers Compensation) brief update correspondences/reports will be required. These will, however, be discussed with you first.
Initial Contact
Eija will contact you before your initial appointment. This is an opportunity for you to ask questions and for Eija to gain a brief overview of your reasons for seeking treatment; and hence to establish whether she can assist you with your issues/problems/concerns/difficulties you are experiencing.
Once the appointment is made, paperwork to confirm your appointment will be mailed/emailed to you.
Initial Assessment
The first session is an “assessment” sessions. Eija will ask you about your reasons for seeing a Psychologist; as well as questions about relevant history and your current situation. The aim of the assessment is to gain a comprehensive picture and detailed information about what has contributed to the current issues/s. This enables the issues/problems to be placed into a framework from which treatment will follow. Treatment recommendations and options will be discussed; and clear goals set.
You will probably be given a questionnaire to either complete prior to the session or in the initial session to complete the assessment.
Sessions
Sessions length is 50 + minutes, with the remaining 10 minutes being spent on record keeping, administration, liaison with other professionals if appropriate, and preparation for the next session.
Eija makes every effort to be on time for appointments for smooth running of the practice and to minimize waiting time for people.