Brisbane Botanic Gardens, Mt Coot-tha
Perinatal Psychology · Brisbane
Support for the anxiety, exhaustion, and identity shifts of pregnancy, birth, and early parenthood.
Brisbane Botanic Gardens, Mt Coot-tha
About
My name is Ellen. I've been a registered psychologist since 2015, with a special focus on early parenthood and parent-child relationships. I provide a warm, supportive and non-judgemental space for parents to discover their strengths and explore their struggles using evidence-based interventions and working from an attachment-informed perspective.
My interest in children's development began babysitting my neighbours as a teenager. It wasn't until university that I discovered I find the greatest reward in working with parents — an interest that has only intensified since experiencing parenthood myself (what a wild ride!).
Parenting might just be the toughest job on the planet, and I believe one of the most important; yet we're often left to learn it alone, 'on the job', with only our own experience of being parented to guide us. The profound shift of 'matrescence', or becoming a parent, can be an emotional rollercoaster, and the responsibility of raising a child (or children!) can feel overwhelming.
I am greatly inspired by the idea of 'developmental trajectories': that small changes made early in a child's life can have profound impact in the years (and generations!) to come. AND I am inspired by the idea of neuroplasticity: that it's never too late. Gentle shifts can lead to meaningful change at any stage of development. That's as true for us as parents as it is for our children.
I am passionate about supporting parents to build confidence and find joy in their parenting, and to find ways to meet the needs of their children and their own needs too.
Session Formats & Fees
There are two ways to attend individual sessions. The convenience of telehealth is hard to overstate for busy parents. But for many, the effort of getting out of the house is worth it to experience therapy in a beautiful setting like the Brisbane Botanic Gardens. Babies are often more settled outside and on the move than stuck in a consulting room, and many clients find walking alongside someone, rather than facing them, makes difficult conversations feel easier. That's why both are offered.
| At a glance | Telehealth | Walk and Talk |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Video call, from home or a private space | In person, walking outdoors together |
| Location | Wherever suits you | Brisbane Botanic Gardens, Mt Coot-tha |
| Session length | 50 minutes | 50 minutes |
| Session fee | $205 | $230 |
| Medicare rebate* | $101.55 | $127.50 |
| Your out of pocket cost* | $103.45 | $102.50 |
*Your out of pocket cost is what remains after your Medicare rebate is applied. Rebate amounts shown are current MBS rates and may change; they may also be higher (a lower out of pocket amount) if you have hit your Medicare Safety Net.
Please note: a referral isn't required to book — you're welcome to see me without one. However, without a valid Mental Health Treatment Plan (or psychiatrist/paediatrician referral), no Medicare rebate applies and you'll be responsible for the full session fee.
Walk and talk sessions are billed under a different Medicare item (professional attendance at a place other than consulting rooms), which carries a higher rebate than a standard telehealth item. The session fee is a little higher to reflect the extra time and travel involved — but because the rebate is also higher, your actual out-of-pocket gap ends up very similar between the two formats.
Walk and talk sessions go ahead rain or shine where possible. In severe weather (including extreme heat), your session moves to telehealth or is rescheduled — billed as telehealth, regardless of what was originally booked.
Walk and talk therapy needs your GP to specifically note that outdoor/walking therapy is clinically appropriate, to support the Medicare item used. If your existing referral doesn't mention this, I can let you know so you can ask your GP to update it — or you're welcome to begin with telehealth in the meantime. Intake sessions are always held via telehealth so a thorough history can be taken before deciding together what format suits you going forward.
Yes, within what your referral supports — some clients use telehealth for most sessions and walk and talk occasionally, or vice versa.
No — you're welcome to book without one. Just keep in mind that without a Mental Health Treatment Plan, no Medicare rebate applies, and you'll pay the full session fee out of pocket.
Good to Know
Sessions run through Halaxy's secure video platform — no app to download, it works directly in your web browser. You'll receive a session link via Halaxy before each appointment; just click it at your scheduled time. Please make sure you have a stable internet connection, a private space where you won't be overheard, and a charged device with a working camera and microphone. If you run into technical difficulties, email ellenandrewspsychology@gmail.com as soon as possible and alternative arrangements will be made.
Please provide at least 48 hours notice to cancel or reschedule. Cancellations due to illness are exempt from this — just let Ellen know as soon as you're able. Cancellations with less than 48 hours notice (outside illness) may attract a cancellation fee.
This varies depending on your needs and goals, and will be discussed together — many clients start with weekly sessions.
Yes. Everything shared in session is kept confidential, with the limited exceptions required by law — for example, a serious risk of harm to you or someone else, a court order, mandatory child safety reporting obligations, or (if you have a Mental Health Treatment Plan) a brief summary provided to your referring GP as required by Medicare. Full detail is provided in your Consent Form and Privacy Policy, both provided via Halaxy before your first session.
Before your first session, you'll be asked to complete a short Consent Form and review the Privacy Policy via Halaxy — covering your rights as a client and how your information is used. From there, it's a chance to share what's brought you here and start building a shared understanding of how to move forward together.
Please reach out directly at ellenandrewspsychology@gmail.com — all feedback is taken seriously, with a response within 5 business days. If you feel a concern hasn't been adequately addressed, you're welcome to contact the Psychology Board of Australia via AHPRA or the Office of the Health Ombudsman Queensland (133 646).
Group Program
Not currently taking enrolments for groups, but get in touch to register your interest for the next group. Ellen also offers Circle of Security individually.
Ellen is a registered Circle of Security Parenting (COSP) provider. She offers this program both individually and in a group format. The group program is held over 8 weekly 90 minute sessions and can be offered in-person, online, or in a hybrid format with both online and in-person components. Ellen is also a Circle of Security Intensive provider, and is trained in Circle of Security Classroom.
To find out more about the Circle of Security Program, visit circleofsecurityinternational.com.
For Referrers
Both Telehealth and Walk and Talk sessions require a Mental Health Treatment Plan (or psychiatrist/paediatrician referral), as with standard Better Access referrals, for a rebate to apply. A single referral can cover both formats — clients aren't required to choose one exclusively, and can move between Telehealth and Walk and Talk sessions under the same Mental Health Treatment Plan, provided it notes that outdoor/walking therapy is clinically indicated for the Walk and Talk portion.
Currently taking new referrals for both Telehealth and Walk and Talk, for adult clients. Suitable for presentations up to a moderate level of distress — not appropriate for acute distress or crisis presentations (see suitability considerations below). Sessions are currently offered Thursday and Saturday mornings only, for the remainder of 2026.
Send referrals via: HealthLink or Medical Objects, or email enquiries to ellenandrewspsychology@gmail.com.
A standard Mental Health Treatment Plan is all that's needed — no special notation is required for telehealth. It's a suitable option for most presentations, and a good fit where travel isn't practical or a seated, video-based format is preferred.
Walk and talk therapy is delivered outdoors, in motion, rather than seated in a consulting room — the same therapeutic content and confidentiality standards as in-room sessions, adapted for a walking, outdoor format. Please note in the referral that outdoor/walking therapy is clinically indicated, to support this format.
A Mental Health Treatment Plan (or psychiatrist/paediatrician referral) is required, as with standard Better Access referrals.
For Walk and Talk, please note in the referral that outdoor/walking therapy is clinically indicated. An EPDS score or perinatal-specific documentation is helpful but not essential.
Please Note
As a small private practice, I'm not able to provide crisis support, urgent appointments, or after-hours contact. If you or someone you know needs immediate support, please use one of the services below instead of waiting to hear back from me.
In an emergency, call 000 or present to your nearest emergency department.
Get in touch
Ellen currently has some limited availability. Sessions are currently offered Thursday and Saturday mornings only, for the remainder of 2026. If you think Ellen might be a good fit to support you, please get in touch — you can expect a response within a week.
Fill out a short enquiry form and Ellen will be in touch within a week.
Walk and Talk: Brisbane Botanic Gardens, Mt Coot-tha
Telehealth: Australia-wide