• MICHAEL HOCKING | PSYCHOLOGIST | LISMORE
  • OurTrueNature, 115 Keen St, Lismore NSW 2480

SERVICES 

HOW I MAY BE ABLE TO HELP
I offer integrated therapy that is individually tailored to each person and seeks to alleviate sources of unnecessary suffering, deepen self-awareness and nurture flourishing. The therapeutic relationship is without shame or blame and is founded upon respect, warmth, genuineness and understanding.

Some of the therapeutic approaches I draw from include: Experiential Therapy, Humanistic, Integrative, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (MBCBT), Person-Centred, Somatic and Transpersonal. The approaches themselves are less important than the extent to which they are able to act as vehicles for expanding and deepening self-awareness. 

I don’t see myself as an expert or a solution finder as I’m always learning and very curious about what it is to be human. My heartfelt wish is to help you connect with your own inner wisdom, on the journey to your fullest experience of wellbeing.

Specialisations
I work with adults who are seeking support in one or more of the following areas:

Adjustment to Illness/Injury/Disability
Anxiety/Panic Attacks
Creativity
Depression
Existential Issues
Grief and Loss
High Sensitivity (See Therapy for Highly Sensitive People and Links)
Life-threatening Illness
Life Transitions
Meditation Guidance
Obsessive/Compulsive Behaviours
Post Traumatic Stress
Relationships
Self Development
Spirituality/Religion
Trauma Recovery

What you are experiencing may not fit neatly into one of these categories and you may just sense that something is not quite right and not even have words for it. Therapy can help you find out more about the ‘not quite right’.

Services not Provided
I do not provide Psychological reports for court, legal, insurance or Centrelink purposes. I do not provide Psychological services for Workers Compensation claims, forensic clients or clients who require mandated counselling (e.g clients on parole or probation). I do not provide ongoing emergency or crisis management. If you are experiencing an acute crisis and feel you may be at risk of harming yourself or others, please ring 000 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.


THERAPY FOR HIGHLY SENSITIVE PEOPLE (HSP)
High sensitivity, also known as Sensory Processing Sensitivity, is an innate temperament trait found in about 20% of the population (see Elaine Aron in Links). If you are highly sensitive, you process information especially deeply and are more aware of subtleties in your environment. You are also more easily overwhelmed by too much stimuli. Click here to find out if you are highly sensitive.

High sensitivity is not a disorder, but you may have grown up believing there is something wrong with you and tried very hard to ‘get over’ your sensitivity.

The good news is that, although high sensitivity has its challenges, it is actually a wonderful gift that is needed more than ever in the world today. If you are highly sensitive, you may find therapy particularly helpful as a way of re-integrating difficult experiences from your past and learning to honour and nurture your unique qualities.
FEES AND REBATES
Fees
The cost of a 50 minute psychological therapy session is $150.00, which is payable at the end of the session by Visa, Mastercard, EFTPOS or cash.

Reduced rates may be available for Commonwealth Concession Card holders and those experiencing financial difficulties. Please contact me for a confidential discussion about your situation.

Rebates
Medicare’s Better Access to Mental Health Care (MHC) - Psychology Services.
Medicare rebates are available for up to 20 individual sessions per calendar year for people who are referred under a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP).

For assessment and referral under Better Access to Mental Health Care:
Make an appointment with your GP to discuss your mental health. Advise the GP clinic in advance that you require a longer appointment with the doctor.

Your GP will make an assessment and may refer you to a psychologist for assistance. If so, you are free to choose which psychologist you are referred to. My details are:

Michael Hocking - Provider No 5674981J
Address - 115 Keen St, Lismore NSW 2480
Focused Psychological Strategies
MBS Item Number: 80110 (50 min)
Medicare rebate: $88.25

You may then attend the psychologist of your choice for up to 6 sessions. The rebate is available from Medicare after payment for each session.

After the initial 6 sessions with your psychologist, you will need to attend your GP for a review to discuss your progress and they may refer you for a further 4 sessions. After 6 plus 4 sessions, you will be eligible for a further 10 sessions, for a total of 20 sessions per calendar year. 
LINKS
APS Find a Psychologist
Good Therapy
Hakomi 
HSP Elaine Aron Website 
HSP Self-Assessment 
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY
This psychology practice operates on the traditional lands of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. Their Elders past and present are respectfully recognised, as well as the ongoing custodianship of the land and water by all members of these Communities.
We are so accustomed to disguising our true nature from others, that we end up disguising it from ourselves. La Rochefoucauld
Our true nature is like a precious jewel: although it may be temporarily buried in mud, it remains completely brilliant and unaffected. We simply have to uncover it. Pema Chodron
A deeper intelligence within us feels the pain of being caught in a web of beliefs and behaviours that cut us off from our true nature. John Wellwood
And the time came when the risk to remain tight in the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom. Anais Nin