Petrescu Psychology

About Petrescu Psychology

Petrescu Psychology is an unregistered NDIS provider based in South Yarra, Victoria, offering psychology services to NDIS participants across Greater Melbourne via telehealth (with a 40 km service radius for in-person sessions). Principal psychologist Melissa Petrescu — registered with AHPRA — focuses on children, adolescents and families navigating developmental, behavioural and emotional challenges.

Clinical focus areas include autism, ADHD, anxiety, and complex behavioural presentations such as Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) and Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA). The therapeutic approach integrates Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and behavioural strategies, with parent coaching and capacity-building work tied to NDIS plan goals. Telehealth appointments are available for all services, including after-school and weekend sessions.

Petrescu Psychology works alongside families, schools and support coordinators to align therapy with each participant's broader supports and goals. New referrals are open as of May 2026.

Services Petrescu Psychology provides

• Psychology (children, adolescents, families)
• CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy)
• ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy)
• Parent coaching
• Capacity-building support (CB Daily Activity)
• Telehealth (all services)

Understanding psychology under the NDIS

NDIS-funded psychology supports participants to manage the psychological impact of their disability. This can include treatment for anxiety, depression, trauma, and adjustment difficulties that are directly linked to the participant's disability and functional capacity.

The current NDIS rate for psychology sessions is $224.62 per hour. Sessions typically run for 50 to 60 minutes, with the remaining time allocated to clinical notes and treatment planning. Most participants attend weekly or fortnightly sessions, though this varies based on clinical need and plan funding.

It's important to understand how NDIS-funded psychology differs from Medicare's Better Access program. Under Medicare, you receive up to 10 sessions per year with a GP referral and mental health treatment plan. Under the NDIS, psychology is funded when the therapeutic work relates to your disability — it builds your capacity to manage daily life, relationships, and participation. If you have both NDIS funding and Medicare eligibility, the NDIS is the funder of last resort, meaning Medicare-funded sessions should be used first for general mental health needs.

When choosing an NDIS psychologist, look for practitioners with specific experience in disability. A psychologist who specialises in intellectual disability, autism, or acquired brain injury will approach therapy differently from a general practice psychologist. Ask about their experience with your particular disability, their approach to therapy (CBT, ACT, trauma-informed care), and whether they provide reports for NDIS plan reviews.

Sessions can take place in a clinic, at home, or via telehealth. Telehealth has become widely accepted under the NDIS and can be particularly useful for participants in regional areas or those with mobility limitations. Home visits may attract additional travel charges, which must be agreed before the session and documented in your service agreement.

What to ask before choosing an NDIS provider

Before signing a service agreement with any NDIS provider, including Petrescu Psychology, it's worth having a conversation about a few key things. What are the hourly rates, including loadings for evenings, weekends and public holidays? What cancellation fees apply, and what notice period do they require? Who will deliver your sessions, and what happens if they're sick or on leave? How does the provider handle complaints? These questions are standard — any reputable provider will have clear answers.

Petrescu Psychology is an unregistered NDIS provider, meaning the practice isn't audited by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. Plan-managed and self-managed participants can still use unregistered providers — only Agency-managed (NDIA-managed) participants are restricted to registered providers. Unregistered providers are bound by the NDIS Code of Conduct but aren't subject to the same independent oversight as registered providers. Note: AHPRA registration as a psychologist is a separate professional accreditation from NDIS Commission registration — Melissa Petrescu is AHPRA-registered, which means clinical work is governed by the Psychology Board of Australia's standards.

It's also worth understanding your service agreement before you sign it. The agreement should clearly state the supports being delivered, the price per hour or unit, any cancellation policy, how travel charges are handled, and how either party can end the agreement. Under the NDIS, you have the right to change providers at any time — you're never locked in. If a provider's service agreement doesn't include a reasonable exit clause, that's worth questioning.

If you're unsure about any aspect of choosing a provider, your support coordinator or local area coordinator (LAC) can help. They can explain what to look for, accompany you to initial meetings, and assist with setting up service agreements that protect your interests. Keeping records of your interactions with providers — save invoices, note key conversations, and track whether the services delivered match what was agreed — will make plan reviews smoother and provide evidence if you ever need to raise a complaint.

NDIS supports in Inner Eastern Melbourne

The Inner Eastern Melbourne service district covers 158+ suburbs and hosts 1,126+ NDIS providers including practices in Toorak, Prahran, Armadale, Hawthorn, Camberwell, Malvern and Glen Iris. Participants in this area typically access services in their local community, though many providers including Petrescu Psychology offer telehealth across Greater Melbourne. Travel charges under the NDIS are capped and must be agreed in your service agreement before work begins.

Most participants in Inner Eastern Melbourne access a mix of services — commonly support worker, support coordination and psychology. Whether you're looking for ongoing support or need a specific assessment, comparing providers in your area is the best way to find the right fit for your goals and circumstances.

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