About us
The University Psychology Clinic (UPC) is a training clinic for provisionally registered psychologists currently completing their postgraduate training in psychological practice. We offer statewide services in-person or via telehealth at our Southern (Sandy Bay) and Northern (Launceston) sites.
Members of the community can access individual and group-based therapy and cognitive/learning assessment services, provided by provisionally registered psychologists who are under the supervision of highly experienced and Psychology Board of Australia approved psychology supervisors.
As the UPC is a statewide teaching clinic, all sessions are video recorded to allow comprehensive supervision and evidence-based psychological care for people attending the clinic.
How do people access the Psychology Clinic?
People can self-refer for psychological therapy by completing the online self-referral form (if referring a child, please complete the form in the child’s name).
An online referral can also be made by a health or education professional involved in the person’s care Health or Educational Professional Referral Form. (Referrers, please complete the form in the client’s name.)
Clients can elect to attend the clinic at Sandy Bay or Launceston, depending on their preference.
For cognitive and learning assessments, the referral must be completed by a health or education professional involved in the person’s care. Health or Educational Professional Referral Form. (Referrers complete the form in the client’s name.) We are unable to accept self-referrals for cognitive or learning assessments.
The Clinic is unable to provide comprehensive diagnostic assessment reports for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD). We are also unable to provide medicolegal or other related reports or assessments.
We are unable to provide psychology services to School of Psychological Sciences staff and students or their family members. This is to ensure compliance with the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA) Code of Conduct for Psychologists regarding dual relationships, privacy, and confidentiality.
As we are a teaching and training clinic, the availability of provisionally registered psychologists can vary across the year. This means that wait times for both assessment and therapeutic appointments can vary and may be lengthy. While you are waiting, please feel free to explore a range of assessment and therapeutic options available in the Tasmanian community.
You may find an alternative service but we are not able to directly refer you to an alternative service.
If you choose to engage with another service while on our wait list, we kindly ask that you let us know so we can update our records. We appreciate your understanding and patience, and we remain committed to offering high‑quality, timely care as soon as a provisional psychologist becomes available.
Our services
We provide evidence based psychological interventions for a range of psychological and health-related conditions across the life span such as:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Phobias
- Obsessions and compulsions
- Stress management
- Sleep problems
- Anger management
- Relationship difficulties
- Parenting strategies
- Coping and adjustment to significant life events
- Coping and adjustment when living with a persistent health condition
- Grief and loss
The University of Tasmania Postgraduate Psychology Clinic, in conjunction with Family Planning Tasmania, provides psychology services for people with persistent pelvic pain. Our Pelvic Pain Clinic provides a unique training pathway for provisionally registered psychologists undertaking the Master of Psychology (clinical), under the supervision of highly experienced clinical psychologists, to provide psychological support for people with conditions such as endometriosis and other forms of pelvic pain. The UTas Pelvic Pain works with Family Planning Tasmania to improve access to much needed multidisciplinary healthcare for our Tasmanian community.
Assessment
Cognitive and learning assessments for children and adults are provided at the Clinic in the areas of
- Intelligence and/or giftedness
- Academic achievement
- Specific learning difficulties
Please note: A referral from a health, workplace or educational professional is required for cognitive assessment.
Programs, people and commitment to quality care
The Clinic offers free psychological services to members of the community who have a concession/pension card or are currently enrolled in study at the University of Tasmania. Other fees vary based on the service provided. As of April 17, 2023, fees will be introduced to the clinic as outlined below. Note: existing clients will not be charged fees.
Please note, the Clinic is unable to accept cash payments. Payments via EFTPOS only.
Individual Therapy – Payable on the day of the appointment
- First appointment (approximately 2 hours) - $40.00 (no GST) per session
- Subsequent appointments (50-60 minutes) - $20.00 (no GST) per session
Group Therapy – Payable on the day of the appointment
- Prices vary according to the group program. Contact the Clinic for further information.
Assessment Services – Payable prior to provision of completed assessment report
- Cognitive assessment (assessment sessions, test administration and scoring, cognitive assessment report) - $400.00 plus GST
- Learning assessment (assessment sessions, test administration and scoring, learning assessment report) - $400.00 plus GST
- Giftedness assessment (assessment sessions, test administration and scoring, giftedness assessment report) - $400.00 plus GST
The clinic has a range of group therapy programs, with specific opportunities and availability subject to change.
To see if we have something that is suitable for you, contact us.
The clinic is staffed by provisionally registered psychologists who attend on a 6-month rotational basis.
Fully registered and Psychology Board of Australia-approved psychologists provide supervision to the provisional psychologist to assist them in managing their case load.
- Clinic Director - Dr Leesa Van Niekerk, Clinical Psychologist, oversees the operations of the University Psychology Clinic at Sandy Bay and Launceston.
Your personal information is collected by and on behalf of the University of Tasmania for the purpose of research and teaching at the University Psychology Clinic. Failure to provide the requested information may result in the clinic not being able to assist you with services. Your personal information will only be used or disclosed for the primary purpose for which it is collected and will only be accessible by the persons authorised to access that information within the University.
All personal and health information will be managed in accordance with the Personal Information Protection Act 2004, and the University of Tasmania's Personal Information Privacy Policy.
For more information on how your information is being used or stored by the UPC, or to access your information, please contact the University on +61 3 6226 2805.
Clinical research is conducted at the clinic by postgraduate clinical psychology students.
A person’s deidentified information will only ever be used for research purposes with their prior consent.
Contact us
Location
University of Tasmania
Level 3, Psychology Building, French Street, Sandy Bay
or
Level 2, Building L, Newnham Drive
Newnham, Tasmania 7248
Postal address
University Psychology Clinic
PO Box 850
Sandy Bay TAS 7006
or
PO Box 2024
Newnham TAS 7248