Virtual Clinic

Welcome!

The Being in the Shadow – Virtual Clinic offers a convenient clinical psychology telehealth service for adults (over 25 years) adjusting to health challenges impacting their mental well-being.

Dr Kate Russo BPsych (Hons), MClinPsych, DPsych, MAPS
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Dr Kate Russo is a senior Clinical Psychologist with over 25 years of international experience in supporting mental health care for those with acute, chronic, and life-limiting health conditions.

 

Kate now offers online sessions across Australia from her tiny home in rural North Queensland. Private Health and Medicare rebates are available, and times are flexible to best suit your needs.

 

Thousands of Australians are now using telehealth for mental health support. Find the help YOU need, from a professional and experienced psychologist, from the convenience of your home.

55% of Aussies would be more likely to seek mental health support if they could access it via telehealth.

The Being in the Shadow – Virtual Clinic may suit if you are:  

 

* Looking for a telehealth solution to suit your circumstances;

* Facing sudden uncertainty due to a change in your health;

* Looking for psychological insights and new ways to adapt;

* Falling through service gaps (e.g. a rare medical conditions, under-resourced services);

* Facing multiple barriers to accessing psychological support (e.g. rural or remote location; travel to access specialist services);

* Needing an experienced clinician who understands medical jargon;

* Seeking a Psychologist / Director who will be available to engage intermittently over a period of years.

 

An Intake Form will be used to ensure this service can meet your needs.

“Sometimes, all we need is a guide to navigate through the darkness.”

–– Kate Russo

Services Offered

Single Sessions

$280 per session

Private Health rebates available

One-off sessions can be useful at key moments such as at diagnosis, the development of complications, or when important decisions. are required. Gain clarity, tools, and direction.

    • Solution-focused Brief Therapy

    • Motivational Interviewing

    • Supportive and existential counselling

Ongoing Therapy

$240 per session

With GP referral, rebate of $141.95 leaves your gap fee of $98.15 per session

Evidence-based therapies to support you through the additional stressors of living under the shadow of an acute, chronic, or life-limited condition:

  • Schema Therapy

  • Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the fees?

The Virtual Clinic is committed to keeping fees lower than the national recommended fee of $311 per session for Clinical Psychologists. The following fees apply:
  • One-off sessions: $280 per session
  • Ongoing therapy: $240 per session
  • Clinical Consults: $250 per 30 mins
All Australians with a Medicare card are able to access 10 psychology sessions each year with a GP referral, with rebates of $141.95 per clinical psychology sessions.  Your out-of-pocket cost, or ‘gap fee’, will be $98.15 for each session. You will pay the full amount upfront, and the rebate is then deposited directly into your account.
Many people choose not to get a GP referral for psychology appointments.  Kate is registered with most Private Health providers to enable rebates.  You should contact your provider to see what your cover entails.

Do I need a referral?

You do not need a referral to access the service if you are self-funding, or using Private cover.  Referrals are only required if you wish to access the reduced fees via Medicare. You will need a referral letter and a Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) from your GP. You can use this MHTP from any location in Australia to access the Virtual Clinic.

I already have an MHTP from a GP. Can I access the Virtual Clinic?

Yes. Once you have a MHTP, you may take it to any clinic or psychologist. Medicare offers rebates for up to 10 sessions per calendar year.

I am not working – can you bulk bill?

The Virtual Clinic is not a bulk-billing practice. You are encouraged to seek local alternatives that offer bulk billing as they will better suit your needs for ongoing therapy.

How long do sessions last?

The standard Clinical Psychology session is 50 minutes. Please connect a few minutes before the time and wait in the digital waiting room to ensure any technical issues are resolved. If you are late, the session will still end at the allocated time.

Can I book after-hours or weekend appointments?

Usual clinic hours are from 9 am to 4 pm, from Monday to Friday. If you would like appointments outside of these times, such as evenings or weekends, an additional out-of-hours fee of $30 will be charged.

How do I pay for sessions?

All sessions must be pre-paid, with the amount held as a deposit until appointment day, when the fee is processed, and a rebate, where relevant, is made. Pre-payment can be made via BPay or with a debit or credit card via the secure portal. If you prefer, your card can be kept on file in the secure platform for automatic processing.

How can I book appointments?

The Virtual Clinic aims to offer appointments within 10 days of the initial request. All new clients will receive a phone call within 48 hours of Intake Form submission, where you can reserve your preferred appointment time and ask any service-related questions.
For ongoing clients, appointments will be reserved at the end of each session, giving predictability for ongoing treatment.

Reserved appointments are held to give time for payment, and appointments not paid within 5 days may be reallocated if needed. Sessions are only confirmed once payment is made, and only then is the secure link sent.

What if I cannot attend a booked appointment?

When your appointments are confirmed by payment, you will receive a courtesy SMS reminder three days in advance, and you are free to cancel your appointment and reschedule. Once confirmed by SMS, any subsequent cancellations will be charged $30. If you do not give any notice and fail to show up at your allocated time, you will be charged $99. Medicare rebates cannot be used for cancellation fees.

How do I communicate in between sessions?

The Virtual Clinic does not have an admin team, and clinic activities are automated where possible to ensure efficiency. Email is used for non-sensitive communication.

Who do I call in an emergency?

The Virtual Clinic is not able to respond in an emergency. For immediate crisis support, please reach out to Lifeline (13 11 14) or Beyond Blue (1300 22 4636). For local emergency support, contact your GP.

Why does the Virtual Clinic only provide a telehealth service?

Kate has extensive expertise in providing specialist mental health support for those living with acute, chronic, and life-limiting medical conditions. Telehealth allows practical access to this niche area, regardless of client location. Working exclusively online also allows Kate to work from her rural location without having to relocate to a metropolitan area.

Do I need any special equipment?

Sessions are provided using a Pro-Zoom account, which is accessible by clicking on a link using your desktop computer, laptop, tablet or phone, and requires either WIFI / Ethernet connection or moderate mobile signal. After clicking on your secure link, you can choose to access via the browser or download Zoom. You must give permission for Zoom to access your camera and audio. Make sure to find a quiet, well-lit space where you can talk privately and will not be interrupted. Most people find Zoom easy to use––let Kate know if further guidance is needed.

How will I know if telehealth is right for me?

Most people appreciate the convenience of online appointments, but it may not be suitable for everyone. To ensure the ‘best fit’, all referrals are assessed within 48 hours and returned if unsuitable. All potential clients must complete an intake form that determines if the Virtual Clinic suits their needs. Note that the service is for adults over 25 years, and is not suitable for those with an existing diagnosis of severe mental illness, psychosis, addictions, suicidal ideation, self-harming behaviours, or complex social needs, as these require local services to assess and manage appropriately.

If, after several sessions, you would prefer not to use telehealth, Kate will help identify a local clinical psychology service and facilitate an onward referral.

I have never seen a psychologist before – what can I expect?

If you have short-term immediate goals, you may benefit from a one-off session, which aims to clarify your immediate concerns using brief therapy techniques. Some find a follow-up appointment reassuring and then no longer require support.

Most people seeking clinical psychology services have long-term goals. Typically, the initial consultation will focus on a detailed assessment and formulation of your situation, and a treatment plan will be agreed upon with you, using evidence-based psychological therapies that best suit your needs.

If you are attending with a GP referral under a MHTP, it is a requirement that your GP receive communication at regular intervals. Those self-funding or claiming under Private Health do not require communication with others.

Where can I find testimonials or feedback from past clients?

The APS Code of Ethics and the Psychology Board of Australia Guidelines restrict the use of testimonials and unrealistic claims for regulated health service providers. Openness about the service quality by direct communication is encouraged to ensure ongoing improvement. Quality indictors include regular use of outcome measures, peer supervision, reflective practice, and ongoing CPD.

How is my privacy protected when using online services?

The Virtual Clinic Privacy Policy, along with the Terms of Service, outlines full details related to the Virtual Clinic operations. Both of these documents must be read and signed prior to the first appointment.

What are Kate’s qualifications?

Kate is registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), fully endorsed by the Australian Board of Psychologists, and is a member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS). She completed her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at JCU in 1993 and her Masters in Clinical Psychology at Griffith University in 1997. While working clinically, she completed her Doctorate at Hull University in the UK in 2007. For many years, Kate contributed to training clinical psychologists at Queen’s University Belfast, Northern Ireland. She was an Invited Fellow of the British Psychological Society in recognition of her service to her profession.

What is Kate’s background in psychology of health care?

As a clinical psychologist for almost three decades, Kate delivered clinical psychology services in hospital settings for much of her 20-year professional career in the UK, working in multidisciplinary specialist teams in cystic fibrosis, rheumatology, orthopaedics, dermatology, and gastroenterology. In addition to her one-to-one clinical work, she led national Standards of Care developments, contributed to health steering groups, and participated in patient advocacy campaigns, some of which won international awards. Kate supported the delivery of Motivational Interviewing training in specialist teams across Ireland and delivered nationwide patient self-management workshops. Since her return to Australia in 2018, she worked in a private psychology practice group in Townsville before commencing the Virtual Clinic in 2025. Kate is now committed to improving Australia’s healthcare experience, and supporting those navigating care.

Ready to commit? Complete the Intake Form to start our journey together

Let’s Go!

Submit

Complete & Submit Intake form to see if the Virtual Clinic is right for you

Let’s Go!

Discuss

If suitable, phone contact within 48 hours to reserve a session

Let’s Go!

Pay

Secure your appointment using BPay or debit or credit card

Let’s Go!

Connect

Use your laptop, tablet or phone to Zoom in from your convenient location

Let’s Go!

Questions?

    Making a referral? Download the Virtual Clinic Referrer Guide

    The Story Behind “Being in the Shadow”

    Dr Kate Russo, Virtual Clinic Director, has spent her career in the service of others, and feels her psychology work is an absolute privilege.  She values every person who comes through her clinic.

    Kate also has another passion – she has also dedicated her life to chasing and understanding total solar eclipses. Her unique approach and deep passion for this rare celestial event have made her an international authority.

    During a total solar eclipse, the Moon’s shadow is cast upon the Earth, offering a fleeting moment of darkness and revealing hidden wonders to those ‘beings’ fortunate enough to be within the shadow’s path. Kate shares the awe and wonder of totality with the world through two key areas:  communicating the hard-to-describe experience of totality, which can be life-changing;  and guiding communities to prepare for a total solar eclipse. Her mantra is to ‘Experience totality: above you, around you, within you.’

    In her clinical psychology work, Kate serves as a guide, drawing parallels between the transformative experience of awe and wonder, to the life-altering insights we gain when faced with threats to our existence, such as in the shadow of illness. When we accept our limitations, darkness can reveal new perspectives, hidden strengths, and a new path forward. As someone living in the shadow of illness herself, Kate’s philosophy is, ‘Sometimes, all we need is a guide to navigate through the darkness.’

    Dr. Kate Russo

    Being in the Shadow – Virtual Clinic | ABN: 726 5735 8926

    PO Box 862, INGHAM QLD 4850|MM 6 (Remote Community)

    W: beingintheshadow.com/VirtualClinic

    The Virtual Clinic is not able to respond in an emergency.  For crisis support, please reach out to Lifeline (13 11 14) or Beyond Blue (1300 22 4636), or contact your GP.