FAQs
Frequently Asked Question's
Getting started with us:
Do I need a referral to see a Therapist?
No, you don’t need a referral (from a medical professional such as a GP or Paediatrician) to see one of our Therapists. If you have any concerns about your child’s development, you are able to self-refer.
Do you have a waitlist?
Our therapy services often have a waitlist, and the wait time can vary depending on several factors, including your preferences for session location, the type of therapy or therapist required, session times, and therapy modality.
While you wait for an ongoing spot with a Therapist, we can offer alternative supports and services such as:
Cancellation Spots
For families on the waitlist, we offer ‘cancellation spots’ with a specific therapist. A cancellation spot allows families seeking services to be notified when a therapist receives a cancellation, offering an opportunity for a consultation. Additionally, if a spot becomes available on the therapist’s waitlist, families who have engaged in services through a cancellation spot may be offered an ongoing appointment.
Intensive Blocks
Our intensive therapy blocks offer children the opportunity to receive concentrated therapy or support, often involving multiple sessions within a short timeframe, tailored to address specific areas of concern as deemed clinically appropriate. Our intensive blocks often run during school holiday periods.
Home Therapy Kits
Our Home Therapy Kits are developed by our team of Therapists and are tailored to children of all abilities, fostering growth in speech, language, motor skills, emotional regulation, and social interaction. Each themed kit comprises carefully selected or developed toys, resources, and activities aligned with a child’s goals, strengths, and interests, designed for easy implementation within the comfort of your home.
Group Therapy Programs
Our group therapy programs, designed by our Therapists, foster skill development in a supportive small-group setting, while our ‘Special Interest Groups’ facilitate connections among children with shared interests in a safe, nurturing environment.
What types of funding and/or rebates do you accept?
Medicare
You may be eligible for Medicare rebates, including the Chronic Disease Management Plan (for Speech Pathology and/or Occupational Therapy) or the Mental Health Care Plan (for Psychology), which can be obtained from your GP to access a rebate. Please be aware that a gap fee still applies, as Medicare Plans do not cover the full cost of therapy services.
National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
Emble Allied Health is currently not registered as an NDIA Provider. However, we are able to work with children and their families that self-manage their funds or utilise a Plan Manager (third party financial intermediary). To learn more about eligibility requirements for access to funding under the NDIS, please visit (link).
Private Health Insurance
Your private health insurance extras cover may offer rebates for our services. To check eligibility and potential rebates, please reach out to your private health provider directly.
If you don’t have access to funding, private health insurance, or a Medicare Plan, you can still access our services and pay out of pocket.
How often do I need to book in?
How can I prepare for my first appointment?
Prior to your first appointment, we kindly ask you to complete some documentation to ensure a smooth start to your therapy journey.
The documentation is sent electronically and includes:
- Intake questionnaire
- Service Agreement
- Consent Form
- Authority to Obtain and Release Information form
- Home Visit Safety Checklist
- Photography, Audio and Film Consent
If you have any previous reports or assessments conducted by other professionals, you’re welcome to send them through in advance. This allows your therapist to review and evaluate the information before beginning your sessions with you.
What should I expect in the initial consultation?
The initial consultation is a session held without the child present. We kindly request that children do not attend this appointment to ensure privacy and allow for open discussion of sensitive topics. This approach safeguards your child’s self-esteem, confidence, and overall well-being. If you’re unable to visit the clinic in person for the initial consultation, we can offer telehealth options via phone or video call.
During this meeting, the therapist will gather valuable information to gain insight into your child and family’s journey, your child’s strengths and areas of need and use this information to collaboratively develop goals for working with you and your child.
For older children who are willing, we highly encourage their involvement in the goal-setting process, following a discussion with you. This empowers them to actively participate in their therapeutic journey with us.
About our Services:
What age group do you provide therapy services to?
We offer therapy services catering to children and adolescents from infancy through to 18 years old.
What is your cancellation policy?
In the event of a cancellation with less than 2 business days’ notice or failure to attend a scheduled therapy session, 100% of the therapy rate for the cancelled appointment will be charged.
Our team understands that unforeseen circumstances may arise, such as a child falling ill on the day of their appointment. In such cases, we encourage you to contact us to discuss alternative options to face-to-face therapy, including report writing, telehealth sessions, resource development, and more.
For the health and safety of all involved, children (as well as their caregivers, parents, or siblings) are not permitted to attend face-to-face therapy when unwell.
Additionally, failure to attend 3 consecutive appointments may result in the forfeiture of your regular appointment time, which may then be offered to another child/family on our waitlist. This decision will be made at the discretion of your therapist in consultation with the Management team.
Please rest assured that all cancellations are handled with empathy, ethics, and sensitivity. Each situation will be considered on a case-by-case basis by our Therapy and Management team at Emble Allied Health.
Do you offer sessions at home, kindergarten, childcare, school and in the community?
Yes we do! We strive to enhance and build upon the opportunities already present in your child’s daily life – whether it’s at home, at childcare, kindergarten, school, or any place where you and your family spend time together! This approach ensures that therapy goals are meaningful, functional, and tailored to suit the needs of you and your family.
Please note that our team travels a maximum of 30 minutes away from our clinic in Mill Park.
Do I need to come into the session with my child?
We strongly encourage you (parents and caregivers) to actively participate in therapy sessions, whether they take place in our clinic or in your child’s natural environment, such as at home. Supporting your child’s development is a team effort and it requires an integrated and consistent approach across all settings. That’s why we strive to empower you with the knowledge and strategies to support your child’s development in everyday life.
