Now accepting new clients
Healthy Little Minds Psychology is a child and adolescent psychology practice located in Bentleigh East. We provide a wide range of assessment and counselling services to children, adolescents and their families. Healthy Little Minds Psychology aims to empower children and families to reach their full potential and promote positive mental health and wellbeing.
Dr Indra Townsend (she/her)
-
Indra is a registered psychologist, with endorsement as an educational and developmental psychologist. Indra trained through a Master of Educational and Developmental Psychology and Doctor of Philosophy at Monash University.
Indra has worked with children and adolescents for a number of years and has experience in both private practice and school settings. Indra works with children and adolescents with a range of mental health and developmental needs and has an interest in working with children with anxiety, emotion regulation difficulties, and behavioural challenges. Indra also conducts comprehensive cognitive, educational, behavioural, and neurodevelopmental assessments.
Indra utilises a variety of evidence-based therapeutic techniques including, cognitive behavioural therapy, acceptance, and commitment therapy, solution-focused therapy, and mindfulness. Indra takes a strength-based and person-centred approach to supporting her clients and works collaboratively with parents to provide support with parenting and caring for their children.
-
• Master of Educational and Developmental Psychology and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
• Bachelor of Arts - Psychology (Honours)
• Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
-
• Registered member of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
• Area of Practice Endorsement: Educational and Developmental Psychology
• Member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS)
• Associate Member of the APS College of Educational and Developmental Psychologists
Services
Counselling
Healthy Little Minds Psychology provides evidence-based intervention to children and adolescents for a range of developmental, emotional, behavioural and social difficulties. Sessions focus on developing strategies and skills to help overcome challenges and promote positive mental health and wellbeing. Some of the areas we provide support for include:
Anxiety
Attention and concentration
Autism
Emotion regulation
Emotionally-based school avoidance
Self-esteem and confidence
Social challenges and friendships
Stress
Assessments
Psychological assessment can provide insight into your child’s unique strengths and challenges and the opportunity to target support to help them reach their full potential. Healthy Little Minds Psychology offers a range of assessments, including Cognitive (IQ), Educational, Autism, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Specific Learning Disorders (i.e. Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia), Intellectual Developmental Disorders and Giftedness. All assessments utilise empirically validated tools and procedures and include an initial parent consultation, comprehensive report, and parent feedback session to discuss the outcome of the assessment and provide targeted recommendations. Assessments will also usually involve consultation with your child’s school or kinder and other professionals in their support network. An observation of your child at school or kinder may also be required to understand their experience in a non-clinical environment.
Educational Support
At Healthy Little Minds Psychology we place great emphasis on supporting children’s learning and development. We believe that working collaboratively with schools and kinders can lead to better outcomes for children and assist educators and parents to best support children’s individual needs. We offer school and kinder observations and consultations to assist with the development of individual learning and behaviour plans to help enhance engagement and success.
Parenting Supporting
Healthy Little Minds Psychology works collaboratively with parents to provide support with parenting and caring for their children. We understand that there are times when children can experience emotional and behavioural challenges that can impact their families. We aim to support parents to feel connected to their children and empowered to make decisions for their children to help manage these challenges and improve the quality of life of their children and their families.
Pricing
Counselling (50 minutes)
Initial Consultation $260.00
Ongoing Consultation $240.00
Assessment (60 minutes)
Initial Consultation $260.00
Assessment Session $260.00
Feedback Consultation $260.00
Assessment Report $400.00 - $1,400.00
Note: The number and length of assessment sessions required varies depending on both the type of assessment being conducted and the individual completing the assessment. An outline of the number of assessment sessions required will be provided during the initial consultation before committing to any further services.
Educational Support
(60 minutes)
School Consultation $260.00
School Observation $260.00
School Observation (inc. report) $390.00
Travel Fee (per 15 mins) $65.00
Payment
Healthy Little Minds Psychology is a fee-paying clinic and does not bulk bill. Payment is due on the day of each service. Fees are subject to change on 1st July each year.
Cancellation
Should you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment for any reason, a minimum of 48 hours notice is required to avoid a cancellation fee. Cancellation fees cannot be claimed through Medicare or other health funds. To cancel your appointment please email info@hlmp.com.au or call 0474 136 143.
Funding
Medicare
You do not need a referral for your child to see a psychologist. However, if you wish to claim a Medicare rebate for psychological services for your child a referral from a paediatrician, psychiatrist or GP is required. The rebate value and the number of sessions available vary depending on the type of referral. It is advised that you call Medicare on 132 150 to confirm your child’s eligibility. Medicare generally does not provide rebates on assessments.
Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP)
A MHCP entitles eligible individuals to access Medicare rebates for the treatment of some mental health conditions. Your GP or treating doctor can discuss with you your child’s mental health concerns and determine their eligibility and appropriate referral options. Your child may be eligible for up to 10 sessions per calendar year depending on their mental health concerns. Prior to your child’s first session please ensure their referring doctor has lodged the appropriate Medicare documentation and that a copy has been given to Healthy Little Minds Psychology.
In March 2023, Medicare introduced two parent sessions per calendar year. This enables parents to attend up to two sessions without their child under their child’s MHCP (pending child consent). These sessions form part of your child’s MHCP, meaning that if a parent attends two parent sessions, their child will have up to eight sessions per calendar year. Please note, for all other sessions your child must be present to claim Medicare rebates under your child’s MHCP.
Chronic Disease Management Plan (CDM)
The CDM (formerly Enhanced Primary Care or EPC) entitles eligible individuals who have a chronic medical condition and complex care needs that are being managed by their GP under a GP Management Plan and Team Care Arrangements to access Medicare rebates for certain allied health services (e.g. psychology, speech therapy, occupational therapy) when referred from their GP.
Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) for Complex Neurodevelopmental Disorders and eligible disabilities (previously Helping Children with Autism (HCWA) and Better Start for Children with Disability initiative)
Medicare rebates are available for assessing, diagnosing and treating individuals under the age of 25 years with a Complex Neurodevelopmental Disorder, such as Autism or an eligible disability. A valid referral from a paediatrician or psychiatrist is required and only sessions attended by the individual can be claimed through Medicare.
National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
Healthy Little Minds Psychology can provide services to clients under the NDIS, if they are self-managed. Unfortunately at this time, we are not a registered provider of the NDIS and cannot see plan or agency-managed NDIS clients. Self-managed NDIS clients are required to pay in full at the time of service. An invoice will be issued and clients can then claim privately.
Private Health Insurance
You and your child may be eligible to receive rebates for psychological services through your private health insurer. Please contact your insurer for more information regarding your eligibility and making a claim. Please note, that Healthy Little Minds Psychology does not process private health insurance rebates. An invoice will be issued and clients can then claim privately.
FAQs
-
To make an appointment please call 0474 136 143, email info@hlmp.com.au or complete the online enquire form. Healthy Little Minds Psychology will then be in contact with you to discuss your needs and book an appointment.
-
The first session is a parent-only session, unless otherwise discussed. This allows for a thorough child and family history to be taken and an open discussion about your concerns. You will have an opportunity to talk about what has led you to seek psychological services for your child, how you are hoping we can help and develop a plan and treatment goals for your child.
Initial sessions with your child will focus on gaining a shared understanding of their presenting concerns, establishing rapport and developing a treatment plan. Treatment with children usually involves their parents. This may include attending sessions with your child, attending at the start and end of your child’s sessions to provide an update and debrief on your child’s sessions and attending parent-only sessions. This phase may also include observations of your child in their education or childcare setting and/or liaising with teachers and other relevant professionals.
The recommended length and frequency of sessions vary depending on the presenting concern and many other factors. Healthy Little Minds Psychology will consult openly with you during the initial session and regularly throughout treatment to establish and review your child’s schedule of appointments and progress.
-
Prior to the first session, an email will be sent to you with a link to complete an intake and consent form. This will need to be completed before the session. If you have a referral from a GP, Paediatrician, or Psychiatrist, please ensure you have provided a copy of this before the session. Please also provide a copy of any prior assessment, reports, letters, and/or documents that may be relevant to providing an understanding of your child and their needs.
-
This will vary considerably depending on the age of your child, the presenting concerns and the treatment goals. In most cases, your child will attend sessions on their own and feedback will be provided to parents at the end of the session, however, this is very individual for each child and their situation. Your psychologist will discuss the suitability of you being in the session with your child. Our aim is to have a collaborative approach and work together as a team.
-
A telehealth service is a psychological therapy service that is delivered via video conference where both a visual and audio link has been established between a client and their treating allied health professional. Telehealth services can be delivered by psychologists, social workers and occupational therapists that are registered with Medicare. Telehealth sessions are currently eligible for Medicare rebates. Alternatively, you can use NDIS self-managed funds. For private health insurance rebates for telehealth sessions please check with your provider.
Emergency Support
Healthy Little Minds Psychology is not an emergency or crisis support service. Emergency or crisis support can be assessed via the following services: