Updates for 2026

Written By Keryn Mitchell

An update from Civic Psychology

As we head towards the end of the 2025, we are writing to you to share some important changes to our practice that will take effect in the new year: 

Psychology Board of Australia - New Code of Conduct & Professional Competencies

The Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA) has recently updated its Code of Conduct and Professional Competencies for psychologists. These updates outline new standards around professional practice, privacy, and informed consent. As always, my practice continues to uphold the highest standards of care, confidentiality, and professionalism. The updated Code reinforces these commitments and ensures psychologists across Australia provide safe, respectful, and ethical services. Specific areas highlighted in the updated Code of Conduct include:

  • Professional communication – maintaining respectful, secure, and appropriate interactions across all forms of contact, including email and digital communication. In line with this, our practice uses email only for administrative matters such as scheduling and invoices, and not for therapeutic discussions or advice. This helps protect your privacy and ensures communication remains professional, confidential, and in keeping with best-practice standards.

  • Cultural safety and inclusion
    The new Code places a stronger emphasis on culturally safe practice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people — including recognising historical and social contexts, avoiding racism, and working in a way that is respectful and inclusive. Furthermore, the new Code has incorporated neurodiversity-affirming practice into the core competencies for psychologists. This means our practice is committed to understanding and supporting neurodiverse clients—such as those with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other cognitive variations—by recognising and valuing their unique ways of thinking and being. This approach ensures that all clients receive respectful, tailored, and effective care.

  • Enhanced expectations around informed consent, boundaries, and digital/remote care
    The updated Code and competencies emphasise clearer consent practices (including what clients can expect, data use, risks) and more explicit guidance around professional boundaries, dual relationships, and the use of digital/online technologies.

You can learn more about the Code of Conduct on the Psychology Board of Australia’s website:
https://www.psychologyboard.gov.au

As part of these changes, all psychology practices are required to ensure that patients have up-to-date consent documentation on file. This means you will need to review and complete a new consent form in the coming weeks. The updated form reflects the current Code of Conduct and provides clearer information about confidentiality, record-keeping, and your rights as a patient. Keep an eye out for a link to the form which will be sent via email.

Use of Artificial Intelligence in Practice

Moving forward the practice may use AI tools in two ways:

  1. For administrative purposes only – For example, AI may assist in dictating or organising session notes or clinical correspondence. This use is internal and does not involve your direct interaction with AI.

  2. Potential therapeutic use with informed consent – In time, AI may be used as part of therapy or assessment. This will only occur with your explicit informed consent, and you will be fully informed about how the AI is used, its purpose, and any limitations. A discussion will take place prior to use of AI in session, and you will be required to sign a specific consent form.

At all times, your privacy, safety, and quality of care remain our highest priorities.

Update to Consultation Fees – Effective 1st February 2026

As of 1st of January 2026, the standard consultation fee will increase from $253 to $266.

The Medicare rebate for services provided by a clinical psychologist will remain at $145.25 until 1 July 2026, after which any adjustments will reflect changes announced by Medicare.

This small fee adjustment helps us continue to provide high-quality, compassionate psychological care and to meet the ongoing costs of running the practice. If you have any concerns or questions please email admin@civicpsychology.com.au

Late Cancellation / No-Show Policy

Our late cancellation fee remains $150 for appointments cancelled within 48 hours of the scheduled time or for missed appointments. This policy helps ensure fair access to care for all and allows the practice to manage appointment availability and waitlist effectively.

Holiday Break

Our practice will be taking a short break over the Christmas and New Year period. We will close after the last day of appointments on Friday, 19 December 2025, and will reopen on Wednesday, 7 January 2026.

Accessibility

Infants in arms are always welcome in session, and our waiting area, rooms and bathroom are fully accessible. Civic Psychology supports breastfeeding and we are a part of the newly updated Australian Breastfeeding Association “Breastfeeding is welcome everywhere” program.

This means we have:

  • A welcoming attitude from staff and management 

  • A smoke free environment 

  • Room to move a pram 

Our bathroom is also fitted with a baby change table, wipes, nappy bags, change table mat and accessible toilet.

Clinic Hours and Days

From 1st of January 2026, consulting days will be as follows:

Wednesday: Telehealth only 10:00 to 15:00

Thursday 13:00 to 19:00

Friday 10:00 to 18:00

Emails will be responded to on these days. Should you need to cancel/reschedule, please do so by emailing admin@civicpsychology.com.au If you require mental health support outside of these hours please contact your GP in the first instance or one of the following support lines:

Referrals

I am currently at capacity for new referrals. Other psychologists at Gamon Street may have availability:

Emily Wilkinson - Wisemind Psychology

Claire Loughran - Seddon Psychology

or for perinatal concerns please refer to my network of peers at the Centre for Perinatal Psychology

If you are a previous patient looking to re-engage with therapy, please email admin@civicpsychology.com.au to enquire about availability.

Keryn Mitchell https://www.civicpsychology.com.au
Next

Updates for 2025