Understanding Provisional Psychologists at Starlight Psychology

A provisional psychologist has completed a minimum of five years of tertiary education and is in the final stage of their psychology training. They hold "provisional" registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), allowing them to practice under direct supervision while completing their internship. This structured training period, lasting one to two years, ensures they develop applied skills in real-world settings with ongoing guidance from fully registered senior psychologists. This means clients benefit from ethical, high-quality care while supporting emerging professionals in the field.

Why Choose a Provisional Psychologist?

At Starlight Psychology, we carefully select our provisional psychologists for their passion, dedication, and experience in mental health. Many have prior counselling experience and work with a broad range of concerns, just like our registered psychologists. They meet AHPRA’s rigorous registration standards and engage in extensive professional development throughout their internship to continually refine their skills.

We’re excited to introduce Karen Leung, our newest Provisional Psychologist, who is also a registered and qualified Counsellor.

Benefits of Seeing a Provisional Psychologist

• Shorter wait times – faster access to mental health support.

• Supervised by senior psychologists – ensuring high-quality, ethical care.

• Up-to-date knowledge – trained in the latest evidence-based therapies.

• Affordable fees – lower cost compared to fully registered psychologists.

• No session limits – unrestricted access to sessions.

• No referral required – though we welcome GP referrals for context.

• NDIS-approved therapy – eligible under ‘Improved Daily Living’ (Item 15_043_0128_1_3, currently $156.16 for NDIS Self-Managed participants).

Should You See a Provisional Psychologist?

Your well-being is our top priority. We take the time to understand your concerns and match you with the best psychologist for your needs. While provisional psychologists are well-equipped to support a variety of clients, for more complex cases or specific diagnoses, we may recommend a fully registered psychologist with additional expertise.

If you’re unsure, our team is happy to help you decide. Contact us today to discuss your options or book an appointment!