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Frequently Asked Questions
Absolute Care Therapy answers your frequently asked questions about Cognitive Stimulation Therapy.
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What's Included in Our Group Program PricingPrices are listed on each individual program page. Our pricing reflects the high level of care and preparation involved, and includes: Two highly experienced facilitators Therapy sessions developed using 20 years of clinical insight and neurological training Thoughtful preparation of the room and resources for your comfort and engagement High quality tea/coffee & interesting snacks for a boutique sensory experience Objective outcomes completed every session - mood, communication, participation Clean-up and pack-down time after each session Personalised resources tailored to each participant Clinical documentation in line with AHPRA standards Regular email communication with families, friends, or support teams
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All Programs Begin with an AssessmentWe Offer Three Assessment Options: Clinic Assessment 1 hour – $299 Visit our welcoming boutique therapy clinic in Melville for a personalised assessment. This is a great chance to: See where our group sessions are held Ask questions Share your strengths, interests, and goals Following your appointment, we’ll recommend the best next step – either our CST™Connect group program or the CST™Home program. Telehealth Assessment 1 hour – $299 Prefer to stay at home? You can complete your assessment via video call. Home Assessment - up to 30 mins from Melville Our full CST™Home program includes a home visit assessment as part of the package. If you choose not to proceed with the program, a fee of $399 + travel will apply. We encourage you to have a support person with you at the assessment. All assessments include: ✔️ Review of your health questionnaire ✔️ Getting to know your life story and goals from program ✔️ Objective Assessments & tailored planning ✔️ Clinical documentation (in line with AHPRA standards)
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Can I Pay Privately?Yes, and many of our families do choose to pay privately - we offer a discounted up front payment options to support private paying clients. We know that navigating aged care and disability funding can be complex, time-consuming, and limiting. Families often choose to pay privately for our programs due to: Delays and long wait times for funding approval High out-of-pocket costs, even with funding Standardised funding models that prioritise support for difficulties, rather than rehabilitation or therapy to enhance function Paying privately means you can: ✅ Start immediately ✅ Access high-quality, personalised therapy ✅ Avoid delays and uncertainty ✅ Choose care based on quality, not system constraints
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Can CST programs be funded through NDIS or Home Care Packages?Yes programs can be fully covered by these programs. NDIS: Our programs can be funded for self-managed and plan-managed participants under Capacity Building – Improved Daily Living. Home Care Packages: Our programs can be funded under allied health services. To secure a funded place, we require approval from your funding coordinator before the assessment or therapy takes place.
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Commitment & FlexibilityDue to the highly personalised nature of our therapy and the very small group sizes, we kindly require a commitment to the full program. We understand that joining a therapy program can feel like a big step. That’s why we offer peace of mind: If, after the first two weeks, you feel the group program isn’t the right fit, we’ll provide you with a personalised CST™Home therapy package - which includes a home CST step-by-step program and quality resource package you can do at home with family or care staff. Please note: As places are limited and extensive planning goes into each group, we’re unable to offer refunds for missed sessions.
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Can I attend group sessions with my loved one?We provide a welcoming space for participants - and a well-deserved break for you. Our group CST sessions are designed to help participants connect, build confidence, and engage in a fresh, social environment. For this reason, sessions work best when family members or carers are not present. However, we warmly invite one family member or friend to join the final session to celebrate your loved one’s progress. This special opportunity allows you to: See what they’ve been working on Understand the CST approach Feel more confident supporting the therapy at home
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What if I can’t attend a session?We understand that things come up. If you're unable to attend a session, we’ll do our best to ensure you still benefit from that week's therapy. While we’re unable to offer refunds or make-up sessions (as group sessions continue as planned), we will provide you with: A HomeConnect™ session pack for the missed week Clear instructions so a family member or support person can deliver the activity at home Continued support so you can stay engaged with the program This helps ensure you still receive the full benefit of the program — even if you miss a session.
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If Your Loved One Feels Upset or Unsettled During a SessionOur sessions are thoughtfully designed to match each participant’s pace, mood, and interests - so they feel safe, supported, and never overwhelmed. We always have two staff members present during group programs, which allows us to give gentle, individualised support if any challenges arise. To help us care for your loved one in the best possible way, we kindly ask that: You let us know of any changes that may affect their mood, behaviour, or comfort A nominated contact person is available by phone during each session This way, if your loved one becomes unsettled or needs extra support, we can contact you quickly and work together to ensure they feel secure and supported.
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Where We Provide CSTHome CST (Australia-wide) Our CST™Home program is available throughout Australia, via telehealth. Sessions aredelivered in the comfort of your home by your trusted support team. We offer home visits within a 30-minute radius of our Melville clinic. Group CST (Melville) All group CST programs take place at our welcoming boutique therapy clinic: 527 Canning Hwy (corner of Rome Road), Melville
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Do you provide mentoring or support for providers want to run CST in their organisation?Amanda is currently developing a mentoring package that includes a comprehensive group program manual, clearly structured therapy sessions, resources, video coaching, and personalised mentoring to help trained CST facilitators deliver CST at a gold-standard level. This program is designed for professionals who have completed CST Facilitator training - visit cstaustralia.com for more information. If you’re interested, please email us to join the waitlist: info@absolutecaretherapy.com.au
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