Yes, diagnosis can be provided when necessary, but it is important to consider its purpose and potential impact. Diagnosis is primarily used as an effective tool for communication between health professionals and other stakeholders, such as insurance companies, to ensure coordinated care. However, diagnosis can sometimes act as a double-edged sword. While it helps streamline treatment and access to services, it may also induce limitations for clients by encouraging a narrow focus, leading to confirmation bias or even self-fulfilling prophecies that can restrict personal exploration and growth. At Luminae Psychology, we carefully assess each situation and the specific needs of every client. We will provide diagnoses if it serves your well-being and treatment goals, while remaining mindful of the potential impact on your mental health.

At Luminae Psychology, we understand that choosing between telehealth and in-person therapy is a personal decision. Telehealth offers incredible convenience and flexibility, particularly for those living in remote areas. Research indicates that telehealth can effectively address issues like anxiety, depression, stress management, and relationship counseling. Many of our clients truly appreciate the comfort of having sessions from home. While some may prefer the nuances of face-to-face interactions, our therapists are dedicated to making virtual sessions just as supportive. Ultimately, it's about what feels right for you, and we ensure top-notch care regardless of your choice.

Counsellor: A counsellor is trained to provide support for emotional and mental health challenges through talk therapy. They typically do not diagnose or treat mental health disorders. Psychiatrist: A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specialises in mental health conditions. They are able to prescribe medications and provide medical interventions for mental health disorders. Psychologist: A psychologist is a mental health professional trained in assessing, diagnosing, and treating a wide range of psychological issues. Psychologists use evidence-based therapies to help clients address emotional, mental, and behavioural concerns. Unlike psychiatrists, psychologists do not prescribe medication, but they focus on therapy to promote mental well-being. At Luminae Psychology, we offer psychological therapy services to address a wide range of mental health and emotional concerns. However, if during the course of a thorough assessment, our psychologist determines that additional support is needed—such as medication or specialised medical intervention—we will provide referrals to appropriate healthcare professionals. Our goal is to ensure that you receive the comprehensive care necessary for your well-being.

Yes, documentation services can be provided upon request. If you need a letter or report, please raise your request during a session or in your inquiries, specifying the purpose and intended audience. In our sessions, we will discuss the extent of the information you wish to share and the purpose of the document, ensuring that it is carefully tailored for its intended use. Each letter or report will be custom-made to meet the specific needs of the communication. Please note that a pro-rata fee will be charged for this service. For example, if it takes 1 hour for the psychologist to prepare the document, the fee will be equivalent to a 1-hour session. Letters to referrers or GPs are excluded from this fee. We are happy to provide updates to referrers, such as your GP, about your progress periodically, free of charge.

At Luminae Psychology, our telehealth therapy services provide convenient and effective mental health support through secure, live video sessions. Clients can engage in therapy from the comfort and privacy of their own homes. Here's a quick overview of how it works: 1. Scheduling: Clients can easily book appointments online by contacting our support team. We offer flexible scheduling to accommodate different time zones and personal commitments. 2. Preparation: Prior to the session, clients receive an email with a secure link to join the video call. There’s no need for special software, just a stable internet connection and a device with a camera and microphone. 3. Session: During the video call, clients interact with our professional, multilingual therapists in real-time. Our therapists use evidence-based techniques to provide personalised care, addressing individual needs and goals. Telehealth therapy at Luminae Psychology ensures that clients receive the same level of quality care as in-person sessions, with the added benefits of flexibility and accessibility. Whether you're a busy professional, a parent, or someone who prefers the comfort of home, Telehealth therapy makes mental health support more attainable wherever you are.

While therapy is not a magic cure-all, it provides a supportive space where you can explore your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors with a trained professional. Our experienced psychologist employs evidence-based approaches to help you gain insights, develop coping strategies, and cultivate resilience. Whether you are dealing with anxiety, depression, stress, or other issues, our goal is to empower your mind and aid your journey towards well-being.

We understand that accidents happen. However, to ensure that all appointments run on time, sessions cannot extend beyond their scheduled time, even if we start late. If you arrive more than 15 minutes late, the psychologist may decide to cancel the session, as the remaining time might not allow for a meaningful and effective session. In such cases, the session will be considered a missed appointment, and a cancellation fee may apply. We appreciate your understanding and encourage you to arrive on time to make the most of your appointment.

We understand how distressing and frustrating it can be to watch someone you care about struggle with their mental health. However, in psychotherapy, we cannot force anyone into therapy without their consent, as treatment is most effective when the person is willing and engaged. In this situation, we offer the following advice: Seek support for yourself as a carer. Caring for someone with mental health challenges is tough and stressful. Therapy for yourself can provide essential support, as well as help you develop communication skills that may be useful when discussing mental health concerns with your loved one. If appropriate, try to have an open and compassionate conversation with your loved one about your observations and concerns regarding their well-being. If there is any risk of harm, contact local emergency services immediately for assistance.

For Hong Kong clients, we accept payments via Faster Payment System (FPS), PayMe, and PayPal. For international clients, we accept payments via PayPal. Detailed instructions will be given to you at the booking confirmation stage.

We accept bank direct deposit and online credit card payment (transaction fees apply). Detailed instruction will be given to you at the booking confirmation stage.

We are open to feedback and you are encouraged to share your discontent with the psychologist. Client may choose to cease therapy at any time. Likewise, the psychologist may choose to cease sessions in the event that client is no longer considered appropriate for the client’s specific needs. Withdrawal from sessions will not affect the relationship that the client has with Luminae Psychology or the psychologist. If you decide to withdraw from psychology service, you are encouraged to discuss with the psychologist to plan a debriefing session and/or referral.

While we are happy to accept self-referrals, please note that a referral from GP, and a Mental Health Care Plan are needed for you to be eligible for Medicare Rebates (Australia). Details please see Fees and Rebates.

We understand that life can be unpredictable, and plans may change. Therefore, we always welcome clients to contact us for rescheduling their appointments. However, when a client does not attend a scheduled session, it results in a loss for the psychologist, as the time reserved for you cannot be allocated to another client. To avoid this, we kindly ask that you reschedule or cancel your appointment at least 24 hours in advance. This allows us to adjust our schedule and offer the time slot to someone else in need. We would refund the full session fee for cancellations, however, if you cancel within 24 hours of your appointment, you may be charged a fee equivalent to half the session cost. For a no-show without any prior notice, the full session fee may be charged.

Paying beforehand helps everything go smoothly during your session by allowing us to manage our resources more efficiently, ensuring that your appointment is secured without any last-minute issues, and significantly reducing the number of cancellations that might disrupt our schedule. This proactive step enables us to concentrate fully on providing you with the best possible care, maintaining the availability and quality of our services, and ensuring that every client receives the attention they deserve without logistical hiccups interfering with your or others' therapeutic experiences.

Confidentiality is the commitment to keeping everything you share in therapy private and secure. At Luminae Psychology, we take confidentiality very seriously to ensure that your personal information and what is discussed during your sessions are kept strictly between you and your psychologist. The details of your therapy will not be shared with anyone without your explicit consent, except in certain circumstances required by law, such as when there is a risk of harm to yourself or others, or when a court order is issued. Confidentiality helps create a safe and trusting environment where you can feel comfortable sharing your thoughts and experiences openly. For further details on how we protect your information, please refer to our Confidentiality policy.

At Luminae Psychology, your privacy and confidentiality are of utmost importance. We do not share any details of what you discuss during your sessions with your family or anyone else without your explicit consent. Your personal information and session content are kept confidential and only accessible to you and your psychologist. If you wish to involve your family or share certain information with them, this must be done with your direct permission. However, there are exceptions to confidentiality in cases where there is an immediate risk of serious harm to yourself or others, or if there is knowledge or experience of child abuse. In such situations, psychologists are legally and ethically obligated to report this information to the appropriate authorities to ensure safety.

We securely store your personal information on Halaxy, a widely used and trusted platform by health professionals. Halaxy employs robust security measures to ensure that all your data is well protected and complies with privacy regulations. Your details, including personal and session information, are safely encrypted to maintain confidentiality.

Your personal details, such as your date of birth, address, email, and phone number, will be accessible to our trusted administrative staff and your psychologist. However, any notes taken by the psychologist and the details discussed during your therapy sessions will remain strictly confidential and only accessible to the psychologist. For more information, please refer to our Confidentiality policy.