Opus is a Latin word signifying an important piece of work that a person has created. For example, a musician’s greatest composition may be described as their magnum opus.
Opus Psychology offers evidence-based therapy services to help people create a meaningful life based on their values. We specialise in supporting people in the music industry, and offer mental health support more broadly to people who may be struggling with various aspects of the human condition.
Music Services
Opus Psychology specialises in services for creatives including artists, vocalists, songwriters, producers, DJs, musicians, and professionals working in the music industry. We can also consult with record labels, music publishers, touring companies etc.
General Services
Opus Psychology not only serves people in the music industry. We also offer evidence-based psychological therapy to adults in the broader community who may be experiencing a range of mental health issues and/or difficulties that can make life challenging.
Our Psychologists
Dr Andrew Gardner, PhD (Clinical Psychologist)
Andrew is the founder and principal clinician at Opus Psychology. He has a lifelong love for music, and previously worked as a songwriter/performer in the music industry. Empathy is the foundation of Andrew’s clinical practice. He seeks a deep understanding of the issues people are experiencing, and strives to demonstrate his understanding so that people feel validated. From this shared understanding, Andrew helps create a collaborative treatment plan that is evidence-based. He combines a kind, patient, and friendly demeanour with a therapeutic approach that is flexible and responsive to individual needs. For example, some people thrive in the context of structured therapy sessions whereas others respond better to a more free-form approach. Andrew will tailor his practice to suit each individual’s needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a course of therapy work?
A typical therapy session lasts for 50 minutes. The first 1-2 sessions are part of the assessment phase. In this phase, your psychologist will ask about the specific things you currently want support with, and will also ask about relevant aspects of your personal history. After this phase, you and your psychologist will create a collaborative treatment plan depending on your specific goals of therapy. The total number of sessions will depend on the particular issue/s you want to work on, and your specific goals in therapy.
What will my first session be like?
You may be feeling a little nervous or uncertain before your first session, which is perfectly natural. Your psychologist will provide a kind welcome, and help create space for you to manage any anxieties you may have about starting therapy. Your psychologist will also outline relevant information (e.g., privacy/confidentiality) for you to be able to provide informed consent for therapy. Your psychologist’s main aim in the first session will be to start getting to know you so that they can develop a deep understanding of what you would like support with. You will be entirely in control of what you choose to talk about (not just in the first session, but across all of therapy).
Do you offer Telehealth/video call sessions?
Yes. If you have a Mental Health Care Plan referral then you may be eligible for a Medicare rebate of up to $131.65 per session for Telehealth sessions. For full-fee paying clients, Telehealth is readily available. If you have private health insurance, you will need to check with your provider whether you can make claims for clinical psychology Telehealth services. Please contact us if you wish to discuss further.
Can you explain fees and referrals?
According to the Australian Psychological Society, the recommended fee for a 50 minute session with a psychologist is $280. At Opus Psychology, our fees vary but typically range from $225 - $300 per session. If you’re eligible for a Mental Health Care Plan referral, you may be entitled to a Medicare rebate of up to $131.65 per session. Please see your GP to assess your eligibility for a Mental Health Care Plan referral. Private health insurance rebates are also available, depending on your level of cover (please check with your private health fund/provider).
You don’t require a referral to see a psychologist, and you are more than welcome to self-refer (i.e., contact us directly). Please note that the above-mentioned Medicare rebate is only available when referred by an appropriate healthcare professional (e.g., GPs, psychiatrists).
The full fee is processed at the end of each session, and the Medicare rebate is paid directly into your nominated bank account.
We can negotiate a reduced fee in some instances. For example, relevant concession holders (e.g., people with an Australian Health Care Card). Please contact us to discuss.
What is the process for cancellations?
When you make an appointment, you are reserving an hour of your psychologist’s time. If you need to cancel or postpone your session, we kindly ask that you please give us 48 hours’ notice. That allows us to offer this valuable time to other people who are seeking support or services. A cancellation fee is not charged when you provide at least 48 hours’ notice to Opus Psychology. We’ll send you an SMS text and/or email reminder 48 hours before your scheduled appointment. This may help serve as a prompt to contact us if you need to cancel or reschedule the appointment. In situations where less than 48 hours’ notice is given, a cancellation fee of 50% of the session fee may be charged. Please ensure you read the cancellation policy carefully on your Client Intake form.
What is your COVID-19 vaccination policy?
Our policy is in line with the Department of Health & Human Services and Australian Psychological Society guidelines. It has also been informed by the Equal Opportunity & Human Rights Commission’s guide to vaccination rights and responsibilities. We offer online/Telehealth and in-person/face-to-face sessions to people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. We offer online/Telehealth sessions to people who are not vaccinated against COVID-19. This policy is subject to future review, depending on updates to the above-mentioned guidelines and changes in COVID-19 case numbers and vaccination rates. We understand that this may be a stressful and/or contentious issue for some people. If you have any queries or concerns, or you have an exemption, please contact us to discuss.
What if my psychologist isn’t a good fit for me?
It’s important to find a psychologist that you feel you can work with. If you decide that your psychologist at Opus Psychology is not someone you are willing or able to work with, we’ll happily help you find an alternative option (e.g., referral to another psychologist, or relevant professional).
I’m not a musician, can you help me?
Yes. Opus Psychology specialises in psychological services for people who make music, but we also offer evidence-based psychological services to the general public. Our psychologists have worked in a wide range of settings (including private practice and public health services), and are well placed to provide support for a vast array of issues that can make the human experience difficult.
I am a musician, how can you help me?
Just like Donny Hathaway (or Mac Davis), we believe in music. We also know that while creating music can be one of the most fulfilling human pursuits, a career in the music industry can be stressful and uncertain. If you’d like some support with your mental health as you navigate that career, we can help you with that. If you have creative-, music-, or music-industry-specific needs, we may be able to help you with those too. For example, we can offer a constructive and supportive space in which to work through creative blocks, performance anxiety etc.
What type of consulting do you offer to music industry entities?
Whether artist, manager, publisher, tour promoter, label executive, or any of the countless other important roles, the music industry is a dynamic, high-pressure workplace. The urgency and prioritisation of tasks often shift on an hour-to-hour (or moment-to-moment!) basis. Novel challenges and situations arise out of nowhere, requiring creative ‘in-the-moment’ thinking and responses. In this frenetic environment, the cultivation of mental health and wellbeing for people who work in the music industry can get left behind (despite the best of intentions). We can help your entity or organisation find ways to prioritise mental health and wellbeing as you continue to focus on the music.
