FAQs
What types of assessments do you provide?
We provide a wide range of Cognitive & Diagnostic Assessments, these include:
- DSM-5 Diagnosis for any mental health condition
- Function of Behaviour Assessment
- Adaptive Behaviour Assessment
- Cognitive Assessments both for Intellectual Functioning and for Cognitive Impairments
- Sensory Assessments
A comprehensive list please check out out Cognitive and Diagnostic Assessment Page
How long does a typical assessment take?
This can take from as little as one hour to conduct, and up to 4 hours, depending on the assessment and the client’s ability to engage. These can be spread out over several sessions. The assessment will then be collated and put into a comprehensive report. As each of you are individual so then is our testing process. We breakdown the typical assessment process on our Cognitive and Diagnostic Assessment Page. If you want a detailed breakdown of the assessments which are applicable to you, we strongly suggest booking in an initial session with one of our Psychologists.
What age groups do you work with?
We work with people across the whole lifespan, our youngest client is 4 years old and our oldest in their 90’s. We have specialist trained team members who work with individual age groups, we always ensure we match you with the right person to meet your needs.
How do I schedule an assessment or therapy session?
Please complete the referral information form or you can send an email to our admin team (admin@pfqld.com) letting us know what services you are seeking.
If you are unsure of what you need, we can help with this.
How much does an assessment or therapy session cost?
Check out our Psychology Fees & Rebates Page for detailed information on fees.
Can you provide a diagnosis based on the assessment results?
Yes our registered psychologists can provide a diagnosis once we have completed the necessary assessment battery and dependent on your results.
We are able to provide a letter confirming your diagnosis which can be provided to health care providers and Medicare. We can also complete diagnostic reports for the NDIS.
What should I expect during a therapy session?
Check out our Therapy Information Sheet which will give you more information about what to expect from a therapy session at PFQ.
How long does therapy typically last?
You may need only one or two sessions or you may need to have therapy for many years. We will work with you to see what your therapy journey will look like.
How often are therapy sessions scheduled?
We can do weekly, fortnightly or monthly therapy sessions.
Do you offer teletherapy or online sessions?
Yes, we can offer telehealth typically via Teams and/or phone sessions.
Are your therapists licensed and experienced?
All of our clinicians are registered with their professional body. The majority of our therapists are Psychologists who are registered with Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra). We also employee provisional psychologist’s who are registered psychologists but receive extra supervision from a senior psychologist during their first few years of practice.
We also have a number of therapists who are Social Workers or Education Specialists (Registered Teachers).
What approaches or modalities do your therapists use in therapy?
At PFQ, we believe in providing personalised and effective therapy tailored to each individual’s needs. Our therapists are trained in a variety of approaches and modalities to ensure the best possible outcomes for our clients. Here are some of the key methods we use:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This evidence-based approach focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviors. It helps clients develop healthier coping mechanisms and improve their overall mental well-being.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): DBT combines cognitive-behavioral techniques with mindfulness practices. It is particularly effective for individuals struggling with emotional regulation, self-harm, and borderline personality disorder.
Psychodynamic Therapy: This modality explores the unconscious mind and past experiences to understand current behavior and emotions. It aims to uncover deep-seated issues and promote self-awareness and personal growth.
Humanistic Therapy: Emphasizing the importance of self-actualization and personal growth, humanistic therapy encourages clients to explore their feelings and take responsibility for their actions. Techniques such as client-centered therapy and Gestalt therapy are commonly used.
Family and Couples Therapy: Our therapists work with families and couples to improve communication, resolve conflicts, and strengthen relationships. This approach considers the dynamics within the family or couple and aims to create a supportive and harmonious environment.
Mindfulness-Based Therapies: Incorporating mindfulness practices, these therapies help clients stay present and develop a non-judgmental awareness of their thoughts and feelings. Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) are popular methods.
Trauma-Informed Therapy: Recognising the impact of trauma on mental health, our therapists use trauma-informed approaches to create a safe and supportive space for healing. Techniques such as Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Somatic Experiencing are often utilised.
Our diverse range of therapeutic approaches ensures that we can meet the unique needs of each client, providing them with the tools and support they need to achieve their goals and improve their quality of life.
How do you handle confidentiality and privacy?
At PFQ, we take confidentiality and privacy very seriously. We understand that trust is the foundation of a successful therapeutic relationship, and we are committed to protecting your personal information. Here are the key measures we take to ensure your confidentiality and privacy:
We strictly adhere to ethical standards and professional guidelines to maintain confidentiality. This includes not disclosing any information shared during therapy sessions without your explicit consent, except in cases where there is a legal obligation to do so, such as when there is a risk of harm to yourself or others.
All client records are stored securely, whether in digital or physical form. We use encrypted systems and secure storage solutions to protect your information from unauthorized access.
Before starting therapy, we provide you with detailed information about our confidentiality policies and obtain your informed consent. This ensures that you are fully aware of how your information will be handled and any exceptions to confidentiality.
We take care to ensure that all communication, whether in person, over the phone, or online, is conducted in a private and secure manner. This includes using secure platforms for virtual therapy sessions and ensuring that our offices provide a confidential environment.
Our therapists and staff receive ongoing training on confidentiality and privacy practices to stay up-to-date with the latest standards and regulations. This helps us maintain a high level of professionalism and protect your information effectively.
We comply with Australian laws and regulations, including the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles, which govern the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information. Our practices are also in accordance with the guidelines set by our registration bodies, such as the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and the Australian Counselling Association (ACA).
Your privacy is our priority, and we are dedicated to creating a safe and confidential space for you to explore your thoughts and feelings. If you have any questions or concerns about our confidentiality and privacy practices, please feel free to reach out to us.
Can you provide behaviour support plans for children and adults?
Our practitioners all have specialty areas, during the referral process we will match you to the practitioner taking into account a huge range of factors including age. All of our clinicians are registered behaviour support practitioners with the NDIA.
What is the process for developing a behaviour support plan?
Our clinician will work with the family, other allied health professionals and the individual themselves to gather information and conduct assessments to inform them of the purpose of the behaviour.
Do you offer parent or caregiver training for behaviour support?
All of our PBSP work includes elements of training for family, schools, support staff, etc.
How do you collaborate with schools or other professionals for behaviour support?
We can offer telephone, video or face to face collaborative discussions with schools and other professionals. We can also offer training in Restrictive practices, and we can provide school observations.
Do you provide direct support services for individuals?
We do offer person centred direct support services including in home care as well as community access. All our support is focused on increasing quality of life and independence. We have a number of specialist train staff to assist with people from all walks of life including complex mental health, behavioural concerns and health issues.
What qualifications do your direct support staff have?
Our Mental Health and Disability Support Workers have different qualifications and experience depending on what areas they work in. We have supports workers with Certificate 3 in mental health, disability support work to people with nursing, psychology and social work degrees. Like with our clinical services, matching a support worker to you and your needs is really important to us, we make sure you are comfortable with the people you are working with and only put forward people we think will meet your needs, wants and interests.
How do you involve family members in the therapy or support process?
Each approach is individual and client led. We will always support involvement of a persons whole support network, formal and informal.
What do I do if I need to cancel or reschedule an appointment?
Cancellation policy
How can I reach someone in case of an emergency or urgent situation?
Positive Futures is not an emergency service. If you are in one of our Supported Independent Living homes you will have 24/7 access to our support teams and the relevant numbers will be provided to you and your family. Clinical services are open 9am to 5pm weekdays but your clinicians may be busy.
Can you recommend resources or additional support outside of therapy?
We have some great links for after assessment or therapy supports on our Resources page
How do you tailor your approach to meet the unique needs of each individual?
We know everyone is unique and so it makes sense that each approach is unique as well. We tailor support to your needs, wants and interests taking into consideration what has and hasn’t worked for you in the past. Person centredness is one of our core values.
What steps should I take if I have concerns about the services provided?
We would ask you email our complaints team (complaints@pfqld.com) as a first instance but you always have the right to contact the NDIS commission directly.
What training do you offer?
We offer various trainings, adapted to the needs of the clients and their supports. We offer training in restrictive practices and positive behaviour supports, specially adapted to suit the needs of support teams, managers, or support coordinators.
We also provide client-specific training, both in positive behaviour support plans, as well as psycho education sessions for families, schools, and service providers around diagnosed mental health conditions.
If you are after a custom training in mental health or positive behaviour support that you would like developed specific for your team please reach out to storm@pfqld.com and we will be able to assist you.
Where are the services located and do you provide in-home supports?
We provide therapy at our offices located in Bellbird Park, North Brisbane (Caboolture) and Springwood. We also are able to provide in home therapy across South East Queensland as well as Telehealth anywhere!
Where do you provide therapy supports?
Contact us. The majority of assessments and therapy services take place at our offices in Springwood , Bellbird Park or North Brisbane (Caboolture). In some cases, in-home or in-school observations may be required during the assessment process, and we are sometimes able to offer in- home therapy (travel costs apply).
We can also provide Telehealth / Teletherapy / Online Therapy.
Behaviour supports are typically in-home, however may include a combination with office-based services. This is in addition to telehealth services, and we would discuss what is suitable as part of the referral process.