Administrative assistance only. Dr. Sarah handles appointment bookings, fee enquiries, Medicare rebate information, and scheduling. She does not provide counselling, psychological advice, or therapeutic support. Callers in crisis are immediately directed to Lifeline (13 11 14), Beyond Blue (1300 22 4636), or emergency services (000).

Counselling & Psychology

Meet Dr. Sarah — Your Practice's
24/7 AI Receptionist

Dr. Sarah speaks warmly and professionally with every client who contacts your practice — handling intake enquiries, Medicare rebate questions, appointment bookings, and compassionate after-hours support, 24 hours a day.

71% Of practice calls
are admin-only
3 in 10 First-time callers
abandon the call
24/7 Always
available

Live AI Receptionist

Dr. Sarah
Psychology Practice AI Receptionist

Dr. Sarah assists clients with:

  • New client intake & assessment scheduling
  • Medicare Better Access rebate enquiries
  • Appointment booking & rescheduling
  • Crisis triage & urgent referral routing
  • Group therapy & workshop registration
Speak with Dr. Sarah Now →
0
Client calls handled
by AI every month
0
Appointments booked
automatically per month
0
After-hours coverage
every night and weekend
0
Client satisfaction
with AI reception experience

Client Calls. AI Qualifies. Session Booked.

A clear three-step process that integrates with your practice management system and website — no custom development, no disruption to your existing clinical workflow.

Client Calls or Visits Your Website

Dr. Sarah is available 24/7 via the voice widget embedded on your practice website. With optional telephony integration, she can also answer your practice phone line. Clients interact naturally, exactly as they would with a human receptionist — no apps, no queues, no holding music.

AI Qualifies the Enquiry

Dr. Sarah listens carefully and determines what the client needs. She collects intake information, answers Medicare rebate questions, identifies the most appropriate clinician based on their presenting concern, and gently screens for urgency — escalating immediately to crisis services when required.

Session Booked. Practice Notified.

The appointment is confirmed in your practice management system in real time. Your clinicians receive a complete intake summary before the session — presenting concern, referral source, Medicare details, and any urgency flags — so they begin the first session fully prepared.

Hear How Dr. Sarah Handles Real Enquiries

Every conversation is warm, clear, and professional — the way a well-trained human receptionist would speak, without the hold times or business-hours limitations.

New Client Intake

Assessment Scheduling for a First-Time Client

Caller
Hi, I've never seen a psychologist before. I'm not really sure where to start — I've been struggling with anxiety for a while now.
Dr. Sarah
Thank you so much for reaching out — that's a really important first step. I'd be glad to help you book an initial assessment. Can I ask — do you have a referral from your GP, or are you looking to self-refer?
Caller
My GP gave me a referral and a Mental Health Treatment Plan.
Dr. Sarah
Wonderful — that means you'll be eligible for the Medicare Better Access rebate, which covers up to 10 sessions per calendar year. I have an initial 50-minute assessment available this Thursday at 2:00 pm or Friday at 10:00 am. Which works better for you?
Crisis Triage

Compassionate Crisis Screening & Urgent Referral

Caller
I just need to talk to someone. I've been having some really dark thoughts and I don't know who to call.
Dr. Sarah
I hear you, and I'm really glad you called. What you're feeling matters, and you deserve immediate support. Our clinicians aren't available right now, so I want to make sure you're connected with someone who can help straight away. Lifeline is available 24/7 on 13 11 14 — they have trained counsellors ready right now. Are you safe where you are at the moment?
Caller
Yes, I'm safe. I just really wanted to book an appointment as well.
Dr. Sarah
Of course. I'll make sure you get a priority appointment — I'm flagging this for our clinical team to call you first thing tomorrow morning. Can I take your name and the best number to reach you?
Medicare & Rebates

Better Access Rebate & Gap Fee Explanation

Caller
I'm just wondering how much the sessions actually cost. I know Medicare covers some of it but I'm not sure what I'll be out of pocket.
Dr. Sarah
Great question. Our standard session fee is $220. With a valid GP Mental Health Treatment Plan, the Medicare rebate is $137.05 for a 50-minute session with a registered psychologist — so your out-of-pocket gap is approximately $83. Do you have a treatment plan already, or would you like some information on how to get one from your GP?
Caller
I don't have one yet. How do I get it?
Dr. Sarah
Simply book a longer appointment — at least 20 minutes — with your GP and mention you'd like a Mental Health Treatment Plan. They assess your situation and, if appropriate, prepare the plan and provide a referral. Once you have it, you can book with us and the Medicare rebate applies from your very first session.
Rescheduling

Cancellation & Rescheduling at Any Hour

Caller
Hi, it's Sunday evening. I have an appointment tomorrow afternoon and I need to reschedule — something came up at work.
Dr. Sarah
No problem at all. Can I confirm your name and the time of tomorrow's appointment so I can locate your booking?
Caller
It's James Whitfield, 3:30 pm tomorrow.
Dr. Sarah
Got it, James. Your Monday 3:30 pm session with Dr. Nguyen has been cancelled. Just noting that our cancellation policy requires 48 hours' notice, so there may be a late cancellation fee — I'll add a note for the practice team. I can book you in for Wednesday at 11:00 am or Thursday at 4:00 pm. Which suits you?
Group Programmes

Group Therapy & Workshop Enrolment

Caller
I saw on your website that you run an anxiety management group. I'd like to find out more and possibly register.
Dr. Sarah
Wonderful — our Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy group runs every Tuesday evening for 8 weeks, starting the 18th of March. It's a closed group of up to 8 participants, facilitated by Dr. Chen. The cost is $85 per session, and Medicare rebates apply if you have a treatment plan. There are currently 3 places remaining. Would you like me to hold a spot for you?
Caller
Yes please. Do I need a referral for the group programme?
Dr. Sarah
A GP referral and Mental Health Treatment Plan are recommended for the Medicare rebate, but not required to join the group. I'll register your interest and send a confirmation to your email, along with a short pre-group intake form. Can I take your name and email address?

Everything Your Front Desk Handles, Automated

Dr. Sarah manages your most common client interactions so your clinicians and reception team can focus on what matters — the therapeutic relationship, not the phone queue.

Most Common

Appointment Booking & Rescheduling

Clients book, reschedule, and cancel sessions at any hour without calling during business hours. Dr. Sarah checks live availability, matches clients to the most appropriate clinician for their presenting concern, and confirms the booking instantly — eliminating phone tag and no-shows through automated reminders.

Medicare & Rebate Information

Clients routinely ask about the Better Access to Mental Health Care scheme, session limits, gap fees, and how to obtain a Mental Health Treatment Plan. Dr. Sarah explains the process clearly and accurately, tailored to your practice's specific fees and rebate amounts — reducing incorrect expectations before the first appointment.

New Client Intake & Assessment Scheduling

First-time clients are guided warmly through the intake process. Dr. Sarah collects presenting concerns, referral details, Medicare information, and preferred clinician or session type — then schedules the initial assessment with the right psychologist or counsellor, delivering a complete intake record to the clinician before they meet.

Crisis Triage & Urgent Referral

When a client indicates distress or crisis, Dr. Sarah responds with compassion and clear, immediate action. Callers are given the appropriate emergency contacts — Lifeline, Beyond Blue, or 000 — and flagged for priority clinical follow-up the following business day. No caller in crisis is left without an appropriate next step.

Group Therapy & Workshop Registration

Clients interested in group programmes, skills-based workshops, or psychoeducation courses can enquire about schedules, availability, and costs — and register directly through the conversation. Dr. Sarah tracks group capacity, manages waitlists, and sends confirmation details automatically without any manual administration required.

After-Hours Enquiry Capture

Most people seek support outside business hours — late evenings, weekends, and during leave periods. Dr. Sarah remains available at all times, capturing every enquiry with full context and queuing them for your team to action at the start of the next business day. No client's first reach-out is ever missed.

Works With Your Practice Software

Dr. Sarah connects directly to the practice management platforms used by Australian counselling and psychology practices — reading live availability and writing bookings back in real time.

Cliniko
Live calendar sync & appointment creation
Halaxy
Bookings, intake forms & Medicare rebates
Power Diary
Scheduling & client record integration
WriteUpp
Appointment booking & notes workflow
Jane App
Online booking & telehealth scheduling
Practice Better
Holistic health & coaching scheduling

Real Results from Real Practices

Psychology and counselling practices across Australia are reducing administrative burden, capturing more new client enquiries, and ensuring no one's first call goes unanswered.

★★★★★

"We're a busy three-psychologist practice in inner-Melbourne, and our front desk was constantly overwhelmed with calls about Medicare rebates and appointment requests — at least 70 per cent of our inbound volume. Since adding the AI receptionist, those routine enquiries are handled automatically. Our admin team now spends their time on things that genuinely require a human — new client triage, clinical correspondence, and supporting our psychologists directly. The difference has been significant."

Dr. Sophie Tran
Clinical Psychologist & Principal, Tran Psychology Group — Melbourne, VIC
★★★★★

"The after-hours capability was what sold me. So many people reach out for support on a Sunday evening when everything is closed. Before, they'd leave a voicemail and we'd call them back two days later — if we caught them. Now Dr. Sarah answers immediately, explains the process, collects their intake information, and queues a priority callback. Our new client conversion rate has improved noticeably because we're responding to people when they actually have the courage to reach out, not when it suits the admin calendar."

Marcus Holloway
Practice Manager, Resilience Psychology & Counselling — Brisbane, QLD
★★★★★

"I was honestly hesitant at first — mental health is a sensitive context and I wasn't sure an AI could handle the nuance. But the crisis escalation protocols are well thought out, the tone is genuinely warm without being performative, and it handles Medicare questions better than most human receptionists I've trained. Our solo-practitioner colleagues especially love it because they finally have something handling calls while they're in session. It's become genuinely indispensable to how we operate."

Dr. Anita Krishnaswamy
Counselling Psychologist & Director, Clarity Psychology Services — Sydney, NSW

* Testimonials are illustrative examples. Names, practices, and locations are fictional.

Hear Dr. Sarah in Action

Click the voice button in the bottom-right corner and speak with Dr. Sarah directly. Ask about booking an initial assessment, Medicare Better Access rebates, group therapy schedules, or anything a client might enquire about at your practice.

Click the voice button in the bottom-right corner to speak with Dr. Sarah live

This is the same widget that embeds on your practice website. Clients click and speak — no app downloads, no phone queues, no hold music.

Common Questions from Psychology Practices

Straightforward answers to the questions practice owners and managers ask most often about AI reception for mental health services.

Yes — with important boundaries clearly in place. Dr. Sarah handles administrative tasks only: appointment bookings, fee and rebate enquiries, intake form collection, and scheduling. She does not provide clinical advice, counselling, or therapeutic responses of any kind. Any caller who indicates distress or crisis is immediately directed to appropriate emergency services or a human clinician. This mirrors the role of a well-trained human receptionist who knows the limits of their scope.
Dr. Sarah is configured with a clear, tested escalation protocol. When a caller indicates they are in crisis, experiencing thoughts of self-harm, or require urgent mental health support, she immediately provides the relevant emergency contacts — Lifeline (13 11 14), Beyond Blue (1300 22 4636), or 000 for immediate danger. She also flags the contact for priority clinical follow-up and, where an on-call clinician is available, can route the call directly. She never attempts to provide clinical support herself.
Yes. Dr. Sarah can explain the Medicare Better Access to Mental Health Care scheme in plain language — including the requirement for a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan, the number of subsidised sessions available per calendar year, the difference in rebate amounts between registered psychologists, counsellors, and mental health social workers, and the specific out-of-pocket gap fees for your practice. All rebate figures are configured to your specific practice's fees during onboarding.
Talking Widget integrates with the leading psychology and allied health practice management platforms used in Australia, including Cliniko, Halaxy, Power Diary, WriteUpp, Jane App, and Practice Better. Appointment availability is read in real time from your calendar, and confirmed bookings are written directly back to your system — no double entry, no manual synchronisation required.
All voice conversations are encrypted in transit and at rest using industry-standard TLS and AES-256 encryption. No session content is retained beyond the administrative record required for the booking. The system is configured to collect only the minimum data necessary for scheduling — name, contact number, presenting concern category, and referral details. Detailed data handling documentation is available in our Privacy Policy, and our infrastructure is Australian-hosted to support your obligations under the Privacy Act 1988.
Completely. Your practice's name, clinician names and credentials, session fees, Medicare rebate amounts, intake requirements, specialisations, cancellation policy, and after-hours protocols are all configured during a guided onboarding session. Dr. Sarah speaks in your practice's voice and only shares information you have approved. Group therapy schedules, workshop details, and specific clinical modalities offered (CBT, EMDR, ACT, etc.) are also configurable so enquirers receive accurate, relevant information from the very first interaction.

Transform Your
Counselling Practice

Setup in minutes. Works on any practice website. No developers, no IT configuration, no disruption to your existing clinical workflow. Start capturing every client enquiry today — including the ones that arrive at midnight when someone finally decides to ask for help.

14-day money-back guarantee. Cancel anytime. No lock-in contracts.