We address a wide range of needs including complex mental health challenges. We provide inclusive treatment and support for trauma, personality, neuro-divergence, and long-term emotional concerns.
Our clinical and administration teams are led by directors and senior clinical psychologists, Sarah and Chris. We focus on linking you in with the right psychologist in Melbourne by getting to know your unique needs. Whether you’re seeking support in the Melbourne CBD or via telehealth, we’re here to guide you with expertise and care.
Client feedback drives our continuous improvement, ensuring you receive the highest standard of mental health support.
When you first contact Cova Psychology, our friendly team will ask about your needs, preferences, and availability to match you with the most suitable psychologist:
This process helps build a strong therapeutic relationship from the start. If your psychologist isn’t the right fit, let us know—we’re committed to finding the best match for you. For our tips for how to make therapy work, visit our blog.
The cost of therapy varies depending on session length, the psychologist’s experience, and the type of therapy. At Cova Psychology, we offer a range of services and fees to suit different needs.
Our experienced psychologists address complex mental health challenges, including trauma, anxiety, and emotional difficulties. Every treatment plan is personalised and grounded in the latest psychological research, helping you achieve meaningful and lasting improvements.
Contact us for detailed information about our fees and services.
Yes, many psychological services in Melbourne are partially covered. If you have a mental health care plan from your GP or psychiatrist, you can access Medicare rebates for up to 10 sessions per year. This makes therapy more affordable.
Private health insurance may also cover part of your session costs. Check with your provider for details about mental health coverage. Please note that Medicare rebates do not apply to couples counselling or ADHD assessments.
No referral is required to see a psychologist at Cova Psychology. However, to access Medicare rebates, you will need a mental health care plan from your GP or psychiatrist. Without a referral, standard fees apply.
Your first session focuses on understanding your current concerns, personal history, and therapy goals. This process, often called a “psychological assessment,” helps your psychologist develop a tailored treatment plan.
Sessions are 50 minutes long, giving you time to explore your needs and begin your therapy journey. For tips on getting started in therapy, visit our blog.
We provide services for individuals aged 18 and over, with limited availability for young people aged 13 to 18. Our therapists in Melbourne also support couples, tailoring therapy to meet your specific mental health needs.
Cova Psychology is located at the “Paris End” of Collins Street, near Parliament train station. If driving, consider parking in East Melbourne for a less stressful experience and a short walk to our clinic. Public transport is easily accessible, with nearby trains and trams.
Contact us for assistance with directions or parking tips.
Psychologists and psychiatrists both play vital roles in mental health care, but their training and responsibilities differ significantly. In Melbourne, psychiatrists are medical doctors with specialised training in mental health. They can prescribe medication and arrange hospital admissions for psychological conditions.
Psychologists, on the other hand, focus on therapeutic techniques, counseling, and behavioral interventions. They cannot prescribe medication. To become registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), psychologists complete six years of education, including a four-year undergraduate degree and two years of postgraduate practice.
These professionals often collaborate to provide comprehensive treatment. Psychologists deliver therapy sessions aimed at improving emotional well-being, while psychiatrists handle medical aspects such as prescribing medication and conducting thorough evaluations. Both are committed to creating effective treatment plans that prioritise the patient’s best interests.
At Cova Psychology, we offer psychological services only. If you need a referral to a psychiatrist, we recommend discussing this with your GP.
Please contact our reception for up-to-date details regarding our fees. Our fees vary depending on the practitioner and service being provided.
Please contact our reception for up-to-date details regarding our fees. Our fees vary depending on the practitioner and service being provided.
You don’t need a referral to see a psychologist. However, if you obtain a GP referral and Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP), you can access Medicare rebates, making your appointments more affordable.
To receive a Medicare rebate, book a long consultation with your GP or psychiatrist. They can provide you with a referral and a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP). You can bring these documents to your first appointment or arrange for your doctor to send them directly to Cova.
The MHCP allows rebates for up to 10 sessions per calendar year, reducing out-of-pocket expenses but not covering the full cost. If you link your bank account to Medicare, we can process your rebate when you pay, with funds typically appearing in your account within 24–48 hours.
Many health insurance providers cover a portion of psychology sessions under Extras cover. The coverage will depend on your insurer and your individual plan. Contact your health insurance provider direct to discuss their coverage of psychology sessions.
Many health insurance providers include psychology services under Extras cover. Coverage depends on your insurer and plan. Contact your provider for details.
Most therapists at Cova Psychology accept funding from NDIS, WorkCover, TAC, DVA, Victims of Crime, and Melbourne City Mission.
No, Cova Psychology is not a bulk-billing practice and does not offer concession pricing.
Telehealth sessions involve therapy delivered via video conferencing (Zoom) or phone. These sessions are identical to in-person appointments in terms of duration (50 minutes), cost, and the quality of care provided.
Telehealth sessions involve therapy delivered via video conferencing (Zoom) or phone. These sessions are identical to in-person appointments in terms of duration (50 minutes), cost, and the quality of care provided.
Yes, all Australians can access Medicare rebates for telehealth sessions. You’ll need a referral and Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) from your GP or psychiatrist, which can be used for both telehealth and in-person sessions.
Telehealth makes therapy more accessible and convenient, allowing clients to see therapists with specific expertise or earlier availability, regardless of location. Sessions can be conducted in the comfort of your home, offering safety and ease.
Research shows telehealth is as effective as, or sometimes more effective than, face-to-face therapy (Snoswell et al., 2021).
However, some clients may prefer in-person sessions for the personal connection.
Telehealth makes therapy more accessible and convenient, allowing clients to see therapists with specific expertise or earlier availability, regardless of location. Sessions can be conducted in the comfort of your home, offering safety and ease.
Research shows telehealth is as effective as, or sometimes more effective than, face-to-face therapy (Snoswell et al., 2021).
However, some clients may prefer in-person sessions for the personal connection.
For more information about telehealth, click here.
Yes, we do. Eye-Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is available with almost all therapists at Cova Psychology.
Yes, we do. Eye-Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is available with almost all therapists at Cova Psychology in Melbourne CBD.
If you are interested in EMDR, please inform our admin team when making your first booking.
The initial phases of EMDR begin with a full psychological assessment, similar to other therapies. This assessment is completed before starting any trauma processing. You and your therapist will then collaborate to develop a treatment plan, deciding if other therapeutic work should precede trauma processing and determining the appropriate time to begin.
Once trauma processing begins, sessions may extend to 80 minutes. Your therapist will discuss the rationale and possibility of longer sessions with you. Please note, Medicare rebates are capped and do not increase for longer sessions. This means the gap between the rebate and the session cost will be higher for 80-minute appointments.
To learn more about EMDR please click here.
If you are interested in EMDR, please inform our admin team when making your first booking.
The initial phases of EMDR begin with a full psychological assessment, similar to other therapies. Our psychologists in Melbourne complete before starting any trauma processing. You and your therapist will then collaborate to develop a treatment plan, deciding if other therapeutic work should precede trauma processing and determining the appropriate time to begin.
Once trauma processing begins, sessions may extend to 80 minutes. Your therapist will discuss the rationale and possibility of longer sessions with you. Please note, Medicare rebates are capped and do not increase for longer sessions. This means the gap between the rebate and the session cost will be higher for 80-minute appointments.
To learn more about EMDR please click here.
Couples therapy, or relationship counselling, has a slightly different process compared to individual therapy. The first session lasts 80 minutes and is attended together. This is followed by two individual 50-minute sessions where each partner meets the therapist separately.
These three initial sessions allow the therapist to assess both individuals and their relationship. Following this, you will meet as a couple to discuss the next stages of therapy.
Unfortunately, Medicare rebates do not apply to couples therapy sessions. However, some private health insurance policies may help cover the cost.
To learn more about Couples Therapy please click here.
Our clinical psychologists and psychologists in Melbourne provide couples therapy, incorporating evidence-based approaches such as the Gottman Method to help improve communication, rebuild trust, and strengthen relationships.
Couples therapy, or relationship counselling, has a slightly different process compared to individual therapy. The first session lasts 80 minutes and is attended together. This is followed by two individual 50-minute sessions where each partner meets the therapist separately.
These three initial sessions allow the therapist to assess both individuals and their relationship. Following this, you will meet as a couple to discuss the next stages of therapy.
Unfortunately, Medicare rebates do not apply to couples therapy sessions. However, some private health insurance policies may help cover the cost.
Visit our Couples Therapy to learn more.
Couples therapy, or relationship counselling, has a slightly different process compared to individual therapy. The first session lasts 80 minutes and is attended together. This is followed by two individual 50-minute sessions where each partner meets the therapist separately.
These three initial sessions allow the therapist to assess both individuals and their relationship. Following this, you will meet as a couple to discuss the next stages of therapy.
Unfortunately, Medicare rebates do not apply to couples therapy sessions. However, some private health insurance policies may help cover the cost.
To learn more about Couples Therapy please click here.
The Gottman Method is a highly respected approach to couples therapy, developed by Drs. John and Julie Gottman. This evidence-based method focuses on improving relationship satisfaction and building stronger, healthier connections between partners.
Using research-backed techniques, the Gottman Method helps couples enhance communication, manage conflict effectively, deepen emotional intimacy, and rebuild trust. It also addresses specific challenges like navigating life transitions, overcoming infidelity, or improving co-parenting dynamics.
Therapists trained in the Gottman Method use structured assessments and interventions, including tools like the “Sound Relationship House” framework, to guide couples through their therapy journey. The method is tailored to meet the unique needs of each relationship, fostering understanding, connection, and lasting change.
If you’re interested in exploring the Gottman Method for couples therapy, reach out to learn more or book a session.
Confidentiality is a core part of our service. Before your first appointment, you will receive our confidentiality terms in writing as part of the Client Agreement. These terms will also be discussed during your first session.
Your information is kept private unless:
Confidentiality is a core part of our service. Before your first appointment, your psychologist in Melbourne will provide you with our confidentiality terms in writing as part of the Client Agreement. These terms will also be discussed during your first session.
Your information is kept private unless:
Our cancellation policy requires at least 48 hours’ notice to cancel or reschedule an appointment.
Late cancellations result in a fee because the time was reserved for you and could have been offered to another client. Medicare rebates do not apply to cancellation fees.
If you have concerns about a cancellation fee or our policy, please contact Cova’s reception in Melbourne CBD.
Yes, we value your feedback! It helps us run the best practice possible. From your first interaction with our reception team to your therapy sessions, we aim to deliver the highest quality care.
You are welcome to share feedback at any time. At certain points during therapy, we will actively seek feedback to ensure we meet our standards of care and identify areas for improvement.
If you are dissatisfied with your experience, we encourage you to raise concerns with your therapist. Alternatively, you can contact our reception to share feedback with our directors.
Yes, we value your feedback! It helps us run the best practice possible. From your first interaction with our reception team to your therapy sessions, we aim to deliver the highest quality care.
You are welcome to share feedback at any time. At certain points during therapy, we will actively seek feedback to ensure we meet our standards of care and identify areas for improvement.
If you are dissatisfied with your experience, we encourage you to raise concerns with your therapist. Alternatively, you can contact our reception to share feedback with our directors.
You can read our Social Media and Website Policies and Disclaimer here.
We are located at Suite 19, 12 Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000, on the first floor. After taking the stairs or lift, follow the corridor to reach Suite 19.
We are located at Suite 19, 12 Collins St, Melbourne CBD, on the first floor. After taking the stairs or lift, follow the corridor to reach Suite 19.
Our clinic is close to Parliament Station and several tram stops, including Tram Stop #8 (Spring St/Collins St).
For drivers, off-street parking is available in nearby CBD streets or East Melbourne (Macarthur St, Gisborne St, St Andrews Pl, Cathedral Pl, or Albert St). Parking buildings such as First Parking (34–60 Little Collins St) and Secure Parking (12–20 Flinders Lane) are also nearby. Allow extra time for parking, especially for your first appointment.
We do have wheelchair access to our building. You will need to let us know if you require this as we will be letting you in a separate door at the back of the building (which can only be opened with a key). Unfortunately there is no wheelchair access to the toilets in our building.
Wheelchair access is available via a separate entrance at the back of the building, which requires a key. Please inform us in advance if you need this access.
Unfortunately, the building’s toilets are not wheelchair accessible. However, public wheelchair-accessible toilets are available nearby at Collins Place, located at 45 Collins Street, just a short distance from our clinic.
If you are requiring urgent/emergency help (for example, you or another person is in crisis or considering acting upon suicidal or homicidal thoughts), it may be more appropriate to call 000 or one of the numbers below:
Lifeline Australia – 13 11 14
A 24-hour/7 days telephone service providing crisis support and suicide prevention services.
SuicideLine Victoria – 1300 651 251
If you are in Victoria you can call SuicideLine 24/7 for free telephone and online professional support.
Suicide Call Back Service – 1300 659 467
A 24-hour/7 days phone and online counselling to people affected by suicide.
Beyond Blue – 1300 22 4636
For support with anxiety, depression, and mental health crises.
If you’re in Victoria, you can contact the Crisis Assessment and Treatment (CAT) Teams in an emergency. CAT Teams are available by region, so visit this website and select your area to find the correct contact number.
Call us to discuss your needs and connect with a psychologist in Melbourne.
Don't let your struggles hold you back. Call us.
Let’s discuss your needs and match you with the right Melbourne psychologist.
Let’s discuss your needs and match you with the right Melbourne psychologist
Acknowledgement of Country
Cova Psychology acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land where our Melbourne CBD practice is located—the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and Bunurong/Boon Wurrung peoples of the Kulin Nation. We pay respect to their Elders, past and present, as well as the Elders of other Aboriginal communities in Melbourne and beyond.
We Welcome all People
We Work With
We would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which the practice is located. We pay our respects to their Elders, past and present, and the Aboriginal Elders of other communities who may be here today.
