Welcome to Caring Insights, a psychology practice aimed at supporting you through difficult times, helping you reconnect with yourself, and adjust to life’s challenges.
Our Clinic
At Caring Insights, we provide evidence-based psychological therapy and counselling for adults (18+) experiencing a range of mental health concerns. We draw on a wide range of evidence-based models including but not limited to: Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Schema-Informed Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy. In practice, this means we’ll tailor our approach to each individual and use what suits you, rather than sticking rigidly to just one method or structure.
Areas we commonly support include:
Anxiety symptoms and disorders,
Depression symptoms and disorders,
Adjustment disorders,
Post-traumatic stress disorder,
Obsessive compulsive disorder,
Phobias,
Anger issues,
Relationship challenges,
Workplace concerns,
Peri- and postnatal mental health.
Lastly, all our sessions are conducted via telehealth. We believe this makes it easier to access support from a space that feels comfortable and familiar. We also focus on offering after-hours and weekend appointments, as we know it can be challenging to make time during the week.
Services
We primarily provide our services in the South-Eastern Melbourne suburbs, Mornington Peninsula, and surrounding areas. However, we have the ability to enage with and are welcoming to individuals located Australia-wide.
Individual Therapy
Individual therapy with a registered psychologist. Sessions typically involve identifying goals for therapy and then working through unique tailored steps to support each individual with their mental health recovery and growth.
Third Party Referrals
Referrals for WorkSafe, aiding clients in navigating the psychological complexity and challenges after an injury in the workplace. We aim to support you with your recovery and return to day-to-day functioning.
Board-Approved Supervision
Supervision for a range of different needs. We can provide primary or secondary supervision for: 4+2 and 5+1 internships, additional work on placement, transitional programs, or for generally registered psychologists.
Your Journey, My Approach
My name is Malvina Patraus-Giurgiu, and I’m a psychologist with a passion for supporting individuals through their life’s challenges. Throughout my professional career I’ve had experience working across business consulting firms, occupational rehabilitation, grief counselling, mental health education, and private practice. This has helped me develop a depth of insight, which I can draw upon to unpack and explore the complex intertwined nature of our mental health and day-to-day lives.
I focus on using client-centred, evidence-based practice, to truly tailor my approach and recommendation to each individual person. I’m also a strong believer in the power of therapeutic relationships and engagement. With my warm and empathetic approach, I aim to gently support everyone through their unique journeys, and develop positive self-coping and management strategies.
Please feel free to reach out if you would like to learn more or book an appointment.
Lead Psychologist
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Frequently Asked Questions
Not necessarily! You are more than welcome to book with me without a referral from your GP, however, this will then result in requiring you to pay the full session fee out-of-pocket.
To receive the Medicare rebate, you will first need to speak with your GP and get a referral and Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP), prior to your first session. A Mental Health Treatment Plan initially covers 6 sessions, and then a further 4 sessions following another review with your GP. This covers you for a total of 10 sessions in the calendar year.
Sessions are $200 per 50-minute session. This is to be paid prior to, or at the end of the session.
If you have a Medicare Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP), you will receive a $96.65** rebate and only be ~$103.35 out-of-pocket.
For WorkCover clients, fees are as per the WorkSafe fee schedule. Therefore, for standard therapy sessions there will be no out-of-pocket fees for WorkCover clients.
For private patients without a Medicare referral, or if you have utilised all 10 sessions from your Mental Health Treatment Plan, the full fee will apply.
Unfortunately at present we are not accepting bulk-billed clients.
**Amounts are relevant to 2024-25 financial year, and may be subject to change.
Please use the "Contact Us" section below to send your details and preferred times for an appointment. We respond typically on the same business day, however, it may take 1-2 business days during busy periods. Furthermore, as we are an after-hours and weekend clinic, our responses may come through only during these times.
We are currently accepting referrals with a short 1-2 week waiting period.
Please note our communications are currently all via email only. If you are having any difficulties with the "Contact Us" form below, please email us directly at info@caringinsights.com.au.
All our sessions are currently only conducted via telehealth. This may be either over a video or phone call only. We confirm this prior to the first session, and whilst we recommend video sessions, we are accepting if our clients prefer phone calls only.
We may have the opportunity to have in-person sessions at a later point in time. If or when this occurs, we will update our clients and website accordingly.
In the first couple of sessions, we focus on getting to know each other, identify goals for therapy, and choosing which therapeutic approach may suit best. This is done together, as we strongly value a client-centred approach.
Then in the sessions that follow, we focus on reviewing progress, identifying any roadblocks, and finding the next steps forward. Session frequency can be anywhere from weekly to 2 monthly, depending on what is appropriate for each client.
Lastly, it's ultimately up to you whether you’d like to continue with sessions or not; we don't get offended. Sometimes it's about just sitting in the moment, other times it's about longer-term behaviour change. Therapy is different for everyone, and we understand that.
Contact Us
Please reach out to us if you would like to book in a session, or you have any questions. Please note our communications are all done via email. We aim to get back to you as soon as possible, however, please allow up to 1-2 business days.
Please note we are not a crisis support service. If you require immediate assistance please contact 000, Furthermore, your can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, and Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636 or via their webchat.