Eric Timewell psychologist
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 falls under Medicare Item 80110 as an “individual focused psychological strategy.”
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’ s Stigma, 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.
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, but often observes school holidays in January.
Eric refuses to work with anyone already seeing another therapist.
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
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 $78.40 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.
Provider numbers
Eric’s Medicare provider number at South Yarra is 2612112X; 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
Since August 2002 Eric has carried no professional indemnity insurance.
Addresses
Email to timewell@internode.on.net
Mail to Prahran Market Clinic, 131 Commercial Road, South Yarra 3141.
South Yarra
Prahran Market Clinic, 131 Commercial Road, South Yarra 3141, phone 9826-4500, fax 9826-4499. Take a 72 tram in Swanson 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 Gray or Princes Street.
