Starting therapy for the first time can feel like a big step, and it's normal to have questions before you begin. This guide explains how online therapy works at My Mirror, so you know what to expect from the moment you start looking for a psychologist. We cover how to choose between online psychologists, how booking works, what happens in your first sessions, and how we handle pricing, privacy and support along the way.
Online therapy, sometimes called telehealth psychology, simply means meeting with a registered psychologist via secure video instead of in a clinic. You speak from wherever you feel comfortable, whether that is your home, your car, or anywhere else with a private space and an internet connection. It works much like an in-person appointment, with the added flexibility of accessing support from a place that suits you.
Choosing the right psychologist
Finding the right person to talk to matters, so you can choose your own psychologist at My Mirror rather than being assigned one.
You can browse all our psychologists online before you book. Each profile sets out the psychologist's qualifications, years of experience, the areas they work in, and the therapeutic approaches they use. This helps you see who might be a good fit for what you want to work on.
Profiles also help you find someone whose style suits you. Some people prefer a more structured, skills-focused approach, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) or other goal-oriented therapies. Others want a gentler, more exploratory space to talk things through over time. The detail in each profile is there to help you make that choice with confidence.
If you'd rather not sift through profiles on your own, you can use our 'Get Matched' tool instead. Simply answer a few questions about what you're looking for, and we match you with a psychologist whose experience and approach suit your needs. It's a quicker way to find someone relevant, and you can still review their profile before you book.
What if the fit isn't right?
Sometimes the first psychologist you see isn't the right match, and that is completely okay. Fit is one of the most important parts of effective therapy. If you feel another psychologist would suit you better, you can easily switch at My Mirror. You don't need to explain yourself or feel awkward about it. Our support team can help you find someone else and book your next session.
To take the pressure off finding the right match first time, My Mirror has a psychologist matching guarantee. If things aren't working out after your first or second session, you can use the guarantee to try again with a new psychologist. For eligible clients with a valid Mental Health Care Plan, that next session is bulk-billed, so you have no out-of-pocket cost. If you're paying privately, you'll receive a discount towards your next session instead.
Booking and getting started
Once you have found a psychologist you'd like to see, booking is straightforward.
- Browse availability. You can see available appointment times on the platform, including early mornings, evenings and weekends.
- Choose your session. Pick a time that works for your schedule and book it online.
- Get set up. You'll receive confirmation along with the details you need to join your session by secure video.
We send reminders and the link to join ahead of your appointment, so it's harder to forget or miss a session. The aim is to keep admin and paperwork to a minimum, so you can focus on the support you came for rather than the process around it.
What happens in the first few sessions?
Your first session is mostly about getting to know each other. Your psychologist will ask about what brought you to therapy, what you'd like to work on, and a little about your background and current circumstances. There is no pressure to share everything at once. You move at your own pace.
Together, you set clear goals so you both know what you're working on and why. These goals can shift over time as things change, and your psychologist will revisit them with you.
How many sessions will I need?
This is one of the most common questions, and the honest answer is that it varies from person to person. Some people find just a handful of sessions helpful. Others prefer ongoing support over a longer period. Your psychologist will talk this through with you based on your goals and how you're tracking, rather than setting a fixed number in advance.
If you'd like to try online therapy before committing to anything longer term, you can book a single session first to see how it feels and go from there.
Flexibility for real life
Life doesn't always run to a standard nine-to-five, and therapy shouldn't have to either.
Because My Mirror is online, you can attend sessions from almost anywhere with a private space and a stable connection. This makes it more workable if you do shift work, fly-in fly-out (FIFO) rosters, or have a schedule that changes week to week. Many of our psychologists offer early morning, after-hours and weekend appointments, so you have more chance of finding a time that fits around your work and home life.
If you move interstate, you can keep seeing the same psychologist, because your sessions happen by video rather than in a fixed location. That continuity means you don't have to start over with someone new just because your address has changed.
In some cases, you may want to see more than one psychologist for different concerns. Where this is clinically appropriate, your psychologists can support you on different areas. If you're unsure whether this suits your situation, our support team or your psychologist can help you work it out.
Tracking progress over time
Therapy works best when you can see whether it's actually helping, so check-ins are built into how you and your psychologist work together.
Your psychologist will revisit your goals with you and talk openly about how things are going. This is a regular, ongoing conversation, not a one-off. If something isn't working, you can adjust your approach together. If you're making progress, this discussion may mean you have a clearer sense of what's helping and why.
You and your psychologist may also use simple between-session tasks or reflections where these suit your goals. These help you carry what you discuss into everyday life and bring useful observations back to your next session.
Policies, pricing and transparency
Knowing what something costs before you commit matters, so we keep pricing clear and upfront.
You can see session fees before you book. If you have a Mental Health Care Plan from your GP, you may be able to claim Medicare rebates for eligible sessions, which reduces what you pay.
My Mirror also offers concession and bulk-billed appointments. Bulk billing is available by submitting an application and you must be approved before booking a bulk billing session. If your application is approved, Medicare covers the full session fee, so there is no gap to pay for eligible appointments. Places are limited, and approval is not guaranteed.
Cancellation and notice periods are set out clearly so there are no surprises. If you need to change or cancel a session, you'll know how much notice is required and what applies if you cancel late.
If you miss a session, you can expect a gentle reminder or follow-up rather than constant reminders. The aim is to help you stay on track with your support, not to add pressure.
Collaboration, privacy and support
Your psychologist may work alongside your GP, psychiatrist or referrer where this helps support your care.
This may include sharing relevant reports, updates or correspondence when appropriate. Any information shared is managed in line with privacy, confidentiality and professional obligations, with consent requirements depending on the type of information and referral pathway involved.
My Mirror runs on a secure, Australian-designed platform. Your confidential psychological records and sessions are stored securely, and you must log in to join video sessions, check upcoming appointments or update your details.
If something isn't working with bookings, rebates or the technology, our friendly local support team is ready to help. You don't have to sort out the admin side on your own, we take that weight for you if you need.
Is online therapy right for me?
Online therapy suits a lot of people, though it isn't the only option, and it's worth thinking about what works for you.
If you value flexibility, prefer to talk from your own space, have a busy or changing schedule, or live somewhere with limited access to local psychologists, online therapy is a great option and tends to work well.
You may want to ask a few more questions first if you're unsure whether video sessions suit you, or if your situation feels complex. In that case, you can speak with our support team, or raise it in your first session and talk it through with your psychologist.
If you're in crisis or need urgent help, online therapy is not the right path in that moment. Please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, or call 000 in an emergency.
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