Eric Timewell Psychologist

An analytic psychotherapist working in Prahran and St Kilda

Psychoanalysis

Eric works in the tradition of psychoanalysis pioneered by Freud, and extended by such object relations theorists as Melanie Klein and DW Winnicott. Object relations have been well integrated into the philosophy of intention and emotion in the books of Martha Nussbaum.

The aim of the analysis is personality change. It achieves this through the patient’s developing relationship with the therapist. The technique uses free association and presentation of dreams, and interprets them. Free association is often helped by the patient lying down and the therapist sitting out of sight. Topics are initiated by the patient only. Physical and social contact between therapist and patient is limited as rigorously as possible. Patients typically attend for several years, and come as many times a week as their anxiety requires.

Brief dynamic therapy

Some patients benefit from a limited number of sessions focused on a specific problem and seeking well-defined solutions to it. The therapy is more interactive and patients typically come once a week for two or three months. Some brief dynamic therapy attracts a Medicare rebate.

Medicare pays partial rebates on 18 psychotherapy sessions a year. To qualify, you will need a GP to draw up a health care plan (book a double appointment). The GP then writes a referral for six sessions. If necessary, you return to the GP for referral for another six sessions, and again for the last six. Only one health care plan a year is needed. In the following New Year, the whole process is repeated as needs be.

AIDS-related therapy

During the AIDS epidemic 1985–1995 Eric adapted psychotherapy technique for people with HIV and AIDS, in paticular to the role of stigma and shame in dealing with HIV. Based on Erving Goffman’sStigma, the technique increased social and physical interaction with patients and significant others, especially in cases of severe social isolation or of being physically disfigured. By 1996, however, it became clear that the technique could too easily be misrepresented. In any case, the epidemic and the rationale it provided had passed. So in 1996 Eric reverted to strictly limited interaction with patients, without exception.

Psychological tests

The K-10 Test of Psychological Distress is in the public domain. Results of the online version available here will automatically be sent to Eric when it is submitted.

Other online psychological tests are available for existing patients by arrangement.

Supervision

Supervision must be work-related and preferably approved by the client’s employer. The rate is the same as for psychotherapy, but GST is added and the whole cost is deductible from the client’s (or employer’s) taxable income.

Curriculum vitae

Eric Timewell is a registered psychologist in Victoria.

Eric was a member for fifteen years of the department of Behavioural Health Sciences at La Trobe University. In 1986 he started the first AIDS course in an Australian university, AIDS in Context, and taught it for ten years. He was a senior psychologist for ten years at the Victorian AIDS Council, and for ten years sessional psychologist for people with HIV at Fairfield Infectious Diseases Hospital. He was the major editor of the book AIDS in Australia (Pearson, 1992) and wrote its chapter on “Counselling and Psychotherapy.” He is also co-author of In-Depth Interviewing (Longmans).

Since 1995 Eric has been in private practice at Prahran Market Clinic and in the dedicated clinical room at his flat.

Eric is a member of the Australian Association of Psychologists.

Conditions

Sessions run for fifty-one minutes starting exactly on the hour. Sessions missed without a month’s notice (no matter what the reason) are charged at the full rate. Sessions missed with notice are charged at half the usual rate. Cancellations must be made to Eric personally or by phone, not to Prahran Market Clinic or by email.

Notes are taken, but not in the session.

Eric does not observe public holidays.

Ethics

Eric follows the code of ethics of the Australian Psychological Society. The code implies complete respect for the integrity and well-being of the patient, regardless of the concerns of others, including the therapist. It also implies strict confidentiality—except for court appearances, reporting crimes or reporting suicide attempts. Patients, for their part, are obliged not to misrepresent the therapy or act violently. They are also obliged to pay within a reasonable time.

Payment

From 2010, fees for PMC sessions should be paid to the receptionists there. Cheques, cash and card payments are paid to PMC. Missed PMC sessions, however, are charged for by Eric and payment should be made to him personally.

For sessions at Dalgety Street, invoices are presented monthly and should be paid in the following month. Cheques should be made out to Eric Timewell, not Prahran Market Clinic. Electronic fund transfers can be made to the account number 132994484 named Eric Timewell at BSB 633-000. If you make such a payment, please give your surname as the reference.

Statements for tax purposes can be provided at the end of the financial year.

Rebates

When your GP draws up a health care plan and refers you for psychotherapy, there is a Medicare rebate of $80.20 a session, with a limit of 18 sessions a year (from the start of January). Eric does not bulk bill for these sessions: you should bring cash to pay the bill to the session, which is immediately claimable from Medicare. If you cancel without notice you pay the full fee without rebate.

There is a tax rebate of a fifth of medical costs (including pharmacy and psychotherapy) over $1500 for the year.

Some private health fund schedules cover a proportion of psychologists’ fees. These don’t apply to sessions already rebated by Medicare.

Provider numbers

Eric’s Medicare provider number at Prahran is2612114W; in St Kilda, 2612113H.

Some private health fund schedules cover a proportion of psychologists’ fees. Eric may need to apply to your fund for a provider number. Current provider numbers are Medicare Private 673952X ; HBA M64184B; Australian Health Care Management Group PS300345; Australian Unity 00252710; Department of Justice vendor 118596 at VRAS-1; TAC 16049910.

Professional indemnity

Eric has full and current professional indemnity.

Mail and email

Mail to Prahran Market Clinic, POBox 539, Prahran 3181.

Email to timewell@internode.on.net

Prahran

Prahran Market Clinic, Pran Central, Mezzanine, Cnr Commercial Road and Chapel Street, Prahran 3181. Take a 72 tram in Swanson Street and get off at Chapel Street.

St Kilda

Eric has a dedicated clinical room in Dalgety Street, St Kilda 3182. Take a 16 tram in Swanson Street or a 96 tram in Bourke Street. Park in Grey or Princes Street.