TAC Psychologist in Beaumaris & Bayside | Evolve Psychology

The injuries you can't see.

A transport accident can leave more behind than the physical injuries. Many people find that afterwards they are anxious behind the wheel, on edge, not sleeping, replaying what happened, or feeling flat and cut off from the life they had before. Pain and a slow recovery wear people down too. If your TAC claim includes psychology, we can use it to work through the accident and its aftermath, at your pace, without judgement, and with an eye to getting you back to the things that matter.

Anxiety after the accident on edge, panicky, replaying what happened

Post-traumatic stress flashbacks, nightmares, avoiding reminders

Fear of driving behind the wheel or as a passenger

Low mood and adjustment flatness, frustration, a recovery that drags

Pain and sleep the wear of ongoing pain, nights that don't restore you

I also work with grief and loss after an accident, and rebuilding the confidence to get back on the road.

Craig Parker, Psychologist

Steady, patient support.

Whatever brings you here, my aim is the same: to really understand what you're going through, and to help you move toward something that feels better. I work collaboratively, at your pace, in a space where you can be honest without being judged.

An accident carries its own weight. There is the event itself, and then the recovery, the appointments, and the claim to manage on top of everything else. I've spent fifteen years in mental health, across adult work, suicide intervention, and counselling teenagers and young adults, and I'm familiar with the TAC system: the treatment approvals, the reviews, and the communication with your GP and the TAC that keeps your care moving. Evolve is my own practice, and Beaumaris has been home to it for the better part of a decade.

My practice draws on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Schema Therapy, Ericksonian Brief Therapy and mindfulness. Registered with AHPRA and a member of the Australian Association of Psychologists (AAPi).

— Craig

How it works with your claim

01

Referral & claim

You'll need an accepted TAC claim and a referral from your treating GP or medical practitioner. If your claim is still being decided, get in touch and we'll talk through the options.

02

Get in touch

Email or book online with your TAC claim number, the date of your accident, and your referral. I'll take care of the treatment approval and paperwork with the TAC from there.

03

Start sessions

Regular sessions in Beaumaris, Thursdays and Fridays, with online sessions available. I bill the TAC directly, so there is nothing to pay on the day.

TAC & fees

What it costs you

TAC pays

In full

billed directly to me

→

You pay

$0

nothing on the day

For accident-related sessions there is no gap and nothing to pay out of pocket. The treatment plans, reviews and reports the TAC requires are billed to the TAC as well, not to you. The one thing to know is that the TAC funds a set number of sessions at a time, and I manage the approvals to keep them in place.

Other funding pathways: WorkCover, NDIS, or Medicare with a GP Mental Health Care Plan.

Beaumaris, Thursdays and Fridays.

17 South Concourse, Beaumaris VIC 3193, in Bayside Melbourne, with online sessions available. Easy parking. The counselling room is up a flight of stairs; if stairs are a barrier, including because of an accident-related injury, online sessions are available.

Clients visit from across the bay: Black Rock, Sandringham, Hampton, Brighton, Cheltenham, Mentone, Parkdale, Mordialloc and surrounds.

The counselling room at Evolve Psychology, Beaumaris

Common questions

Do I need a referral?

Yes. The TAC requires a referral from your treating medical practitioner, usually your GP, before psychology can be funded under your claim. If you don't have one yet, your GP appointment is the place to start.

What will I actually pay?

For accident-related sessions, nothing. The TAC pays its fee for the session directly to me, and the paperwork your claim requires, including treatment plans, reviews and reports, is billed to the TAC rather than to you.

My claim hasn't been accepted yet. Can I start?

The TAC pays for treatment under an accepted claim. If yours is still being decided, you can start privately, for example with Medicare support through a GP Mental Health Care Plan, and we can move to TAC billing once the claim is accepted. Get in touch and we'll work out the sensible path.

How many sessions does the TAC cover?

The TAC funds treatment in stages and looks for the sessions to be helping. In the early period after an accident a first block of sessions is straightforward; beyond that, the TAC approves further sessions based on a short treatment plan. I prepare and manage that with the TAC so your sessions keep flowing, and I'll always let you know where things stand.

Will you talk to the TAC or my GP?

Only in the ways your claim requires and you're aware of: treatment plans and reviews for the TAC, and updates to your GP. What you say in session stays between us within the usual limits, and I'll always be straightforward with you about what's being shared and why.

Are online sessions available?

Yes. The TAC covers online sessions the same way as in-person sessions, with nothing to pay either way. Some people prefer to start online and move to the rooms later, particularly if driving still feels difficult after an accident.

Who do you work with?

Adults and teenagers aged 13 and over, one to one. I don't offer couples sessions or work with children under 13.

Is the room wheelchair accessible?

Unfortunately not. The counselling room is up a flight of stairs and there is no lift. If stairs are a barrier, telehealth is available; mention it when you get in touch and we'll work out what suits.

When you're ready.

Book online, or get in touch by email or SMS. I'm usually in session during the day, so I'll return your message at my earliest opportunity, typically within one business day. Have your TAC claim number, the date of your accident and your referral handy, and I'll take it from there. I keep a small number of TAC places at any one time, so it's worth getting in touch to check current availability.

Book appointment Email Craig SMS 0490 247 960