I'm a Canberra-based clinical psychologist.
M.ClinPsych, Grad Dip Psych, Grad Dip PreProf Psych, B.Ed (Prim)(Hons).
Learn about what I do
I am an experienced Canberra-based clinical psychologist.
I have worked for many years with children, adolescents and families in schools. Additionally I have worked in private practice, providing therapy to people of all ages. I have further experience running supportive intervention groups in schools and churches.
Before training as a psychologist, I was a primary school teacher for nine years.
I love working in the field of psychology and look forward to meeting you.
Issues addressed during therapy may include:
Research shows that the presence of a friendly dog in therapy can be very beneficial to wellbeing. Please let Kylie know if you would like to meet Ruby when you come.
I use a range of evidence-based strategies and techniques in my work with clients. My preferred approaches are Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). I a qualified EMDR practitioner. I also use strategies informed by Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and Schema Therapy in my work.
Please note that I am unable to provide a crisis service. For 24-hour support please phone
I work with children, adolescents, adults and older adults.
Children: For all children aged twelve or under, the first session is with parents only. This is so I can gain a full understanding of the reason for referral, and so that together we can determine the best course of action moving forward. Please note Medicare does not provide a rebate for this session but does rebate subsequent sessions if the child has their own Mental Health Care Plan.
Adolescents: For teenagers aged between 13-17 years, parents generally have some involvement in the first session and for subsequent sessions, the degree of parent involvement is negotiated.
Adults and older adults: Clients over the age of eighteen have increasingly become a focus for my practice. The majority of my clients tend to be women but bookings are open to anyone.
My fee is $200 per standard session (45-60 minutes)*.
You may be reimbursed $131.65 for up to 20 sessions per calendar year if you have a Mental Health Care Plan from your doctor.
Alternatively, a proportion of your fees may be redeemable from your private health insurance, depending on your health plan.
Payment is by credit card. Billing takes place before the end of the session.
Cancellations and Non-attendance: Life is busy, and I understand that there will be times when you will need to change or miss an appointment. For all changes or cancellations, 48 hours’ notice is preferred and 24 hours’ notice is required. A $50 cancellation fee applies for changes or cancellations with less than 24 hours’ notice, and the full fee will be charged for same-day cancellations. Medicare does not pay for cancellation fees; therefore payment is the client’s responsibility.
You will receive a reminder text message about your appointment 48 hours before it is scheduled.
Click here for further information.
* The APS recommended fee for a 45-60 minute psychologist consultation is $280. For more information see APS What It Costs.
A psychologist is a professional trained in the science of how people think, feel, behave and learn. Psychologists can be generalists or specialists, much like doctors. In Australia, psychology is a highly regulated profession which is good because it protects the public. If you’d like to know more, visit Australian Psychological Society.
There are many reasons why you might see a psychologist. For example, you might be experiencing stressful life events such as a change in circumstance, a recent loss, or difficulties in a relationship. A psychologist can provide emotional support, teach you coping strategies and help you to workshop solutions to life’s problems.
You don’t need a referral from a doctor to make an appointment. However Medicare will only provide a rebate for your fee if you have a current Mental Health Care Plan (including a cover letter), which can only be issued by a doctor.
I will ask a range of questions to get a sense of what is happening for you, and I will explore what you are hoping to get out of seeing a psychologist. Getting to know each other and how we might best work together is an important aspect of the first session.
After our first session, I take away the information we have gathered, consider how psychology may be able to help and put together a loose plan for moving forward. In the second session, you and I will review this together, after which the intervention process can begin. This will usually involve a mix of counselling and practical strategies for improving your wellbeing.
Because people’s needs vary, it is not possible to give you an indication of the number of sessions you will need until I meet you. Medicare provides rebates for 6-10 psychology sessions within a calendar year, and for many people this is enough.
Depending on the presenting concerns, I will sometimes make more specific recommendations about how often and for how long you will need to come. The process is always collaborative.
Confidentiality is key to establishing a trust relationship with your psychologist. We take it seriously – in fact maintaining the highest of standards in this area is a condition of our registration as psychologists!
If you are coming with a Mental Health Care Plan, communication between myself and your GP is part of the agreement for accessing this plan. Other than this, for clients over the age of eighteen there are very few circumstances where I would need to discuss your situation with anyone. Exceptions might include:
If you’d like to understand more about confidentiality when seeing a psychologist (and its limits), see the Australian Psychological Society Code of Ethics
Kylie Smith Psychology is not a bulk billing practice. For cases where finances present a genuine barrier to seeking psychological services a reduced fee can sometimes be negotiated. Reduced fee appointments operate on a quota system and waitlists are likely to apply. Please note also that a cancellation fee still applies to reduced fee clients for late cancellations or non-attendance.
Kylie Smith Psychology has some limited capacity to provide psychological assessments. Please note that I am a clinical psychologist and if your assessment request calls for expertise outside of my specialisation I will be unable to accept your referral.
You can contact me directly by phone on 0490454103 or email info@kyliesmithpsychology.com.au. If I am unable to respond to your call immediately, please leave a message and I will return your call. Alternatively, I can receive a referral through your GP via a Mental Health Care Plan.
My practice is located at 150 Osburn Drive Macgregor, ACT.
The clinic is newly renovated. Parking is free and plentiful.
Provider Number: 4982044T
Psych registration number: PSY0000986277
ABN: 53 612 246 161
ACN: 612 246 161