Answers to frequently asked questions about our Therapy Services can be found below.
How do Carpentaria clinicians deliver therapy supports?
Carpentaria provides comprehensive evidence-based therapy and family support services utilising a collaborative, person-centred and relationship-based approach. We tailor our sessions to the individual needs, preferences and developmental level of each person.
Our collaborative approach may include:
- Visits by therapists to the home, school and other settings to implement therapy programs
- Working with local and interstate services as required, including medical and specialist supports
Who do you provide therapy for?
Carpentaria works with children, adolescents, and adults with a range of developmental challenges, physical difficulties, relationship issues, and challenges at school, work or home. This includes working with specific diagnoses like Downs Syndrome, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Cerebral Palsy, Oppositional Defiance, Anxiety, and behavioural challenges.
Carpentaria’s Therapists can also work with families, carers and support workers of people with disability, to provide support and education on parental challenges, communication tools, and safe manual handling and transfers.
I don't live in Darwin or Alice Springs. Can I still book an appointment?
Carpentaria’s offices and therapy rooms are located at 1 Willeroo St, Tiwi (Darwin) and 3/1 Colson St, Alice Springs.
Therapists may be available to travel to your location or community. Clinicians travel to a range of remote communities on a regular basis, including Maningrida, Milingimbi, Katherine, Kintore and Papunya.
Carpentaria also offers online therapy sessions via Teams for people living outside of the Greater Darwin and Alice Springs areas.
Make a referral or enquiry for Therapy Services.
Contact us for further details or to discuss your requirements.
Which assessments can you do?
We can complete a full range of assessments, including Functional Capacity Assessments, developmental, physical, swallowing, sensory, and speech and language.
Where is Carpentaria located and where can I park when I arrive?
My child is on the waitlist for Therapy Services. What can we do while waiting?
We recognise waiting can be frustrating, however, there are many activities you and your child can do while waiting to access Carpentaria Therapy Services. For suggested activities, visit our active waiting resource.
WATCH: Learn more about the community activities available
I've sent my referral - what happens next?
All referrals are reviewed and assessed by our team of experienced Allied Health clinicians.
WATCH: Learn more about what happens to your referral when we receive it
Once we receive your referral, the following steps occur:
1. Initial screening
Our intake team reviews the referral to ensure all required information is complete and accurate. We may contact you or your Support Coordinator if further information is needed. An email will be sent to the referrer (either you or your Support Coordinator) advising if the referral is accepted.
2. Waiting list
Once accepted, the referral is placed on our waiting list until a clinician becomes available.
3. Service Agreement
When a clinician becomes available, we will contact you to arrange signing of the Service Agreement. Please return the signed agreement within two weeks.
4. Appointment booking
Once the Service Agreement is signed, you will be contacted to schedule your first appointment.
Can you see us at school or in our home?
Sessions are usually held in our purpose-built facilities, however depending on your plan and funding model, sessions can be delivered off-site. Remote sessions can be delivered in your home, at school, or in the community.
What is the cost for each therapy session?
Carpentaria has a consistent pricing structure for all Allied Health therapy sessions. Prices are aligned to the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits for services provided to clients and participants accessing Carpentaria services under all funding arrangements.
To meet our high quality of service, your therapist often needs to take time to prepare for your face-to-face session. This can include planning and preparing appropriate and individual materials to meet specific developmental goals, setting up for the therapy session and writing progress notes. They may also need to take time to ensure that therapy plans and ideas are communicated to other members of your support team, so that evidence-based strategies are put in place in all areas of your life (for example at school or by your support staff).
These support activities are called ‘non face-to-face services’, are always linked to the goals outlined in your NDIS plan and are used to measure therapy impact when we review your plan with you. NDIS guidelines outline how service providers can bill for non face-to-face services and Carpentaria works within these guidelines at all times.
A one page overview about Carpentaria pricing is available here. Further details about the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits are available here.
How often do we need to see you?
The number of sessions recommended will depend on the particular diagnoses or goal you and your family are working on. Our therapists will discuss a therapy plan with you.
What sort of therapy rooms do you have?
Carpentaria delivers sessions from a number of purpose-built therapy rooms on the ground floor in the Harry’s Place Administration Building, 1 Willeroo Street, Tiwi. We also have therapy rooms in our Alice Springs office at 2/9 Parsons St. Our rooms are fully equipped to support you and your family to receive the highest quality of service from us.
Which equipment can you prescribe for my child?
Carpentaria can prescribe a wide range of supportive equipment that can improve quality of life and make it easier for a child to achieve developmental capacities with less effort and discomfort.
For example, supportive seating can make it easier to do craft activities at a table and can also help with mealtimes. In more complex circumstances, equipment can help a child get around so they can more easily participate in community activities or in the playground. Our clinicians can provide guidance on what is involved, including funding options.
Can you organise an interpreter for me?
We are able to organise an interpreter to attend sessions if English is a second language and this would make it easier for parents/caregivers to participate in Carpentaria programs. Interpreters are mandated to respect confidentiality at all times. Please let us know when you book your appointment.
Do I have to attend each session with my child?
Current research tells us that children and adolescents thrive in relationships with their parents/caregivers. Usually if the child is under 12 years of age, there is a higher involvement of parents in each session.
If the child is older, parents may attend the sessions less frequently. Our therapists will always discuss this with you prior to the start of therapy.
Do you offer Group Therapy?
Do you offer telehealth?
Telehealth appointments are available to provide access to services, regardless of where participants live, or their health situation. Telehealth can include videoconferencing, phone calls, emails and text or other direct messages and can provide you and your family with ongoing access to professional support.
Contact us to discuss whether telehealth services are suitable for you.
What does a Speech Pathologist do?
Visit our Speech Pathology page to learn what a Speech Pathologist does.
WATCH: Hear more from Nicola, Carpentaria Speech Pathologist
What does an Occupational Therapist do?
Visit our Occupational Therapy page to learn what an Occupational Therapist does.
WATCH: Hear more from Sally, Carpentaria Occupational Therapist
What does a Physiotherapist do?
Visit our Physiotherapy page to learn what a Physiotherapist does.
WATCH: Hear more about our Physiotherapy team
What does a Psychologist do?
Visit our Psychology page to learn more about what a Psychologist does.
WATCH: Hear more from Imogen, Carpentaria Psychologist
What does an Allied Health Assistant do?
Visit our Allied Health Assistance page to learn about what an Allied Health Assistant does.
WATCH: Hear more from Courtney, Carpentaria Allied Health Assistant
How long will I need to wait for services to start?
Many people in the Northern Territory need therapy and support services and it can take time to match a referral with the right clinician. Depending on demand and individual needs, the wait can range from a few weeks to several months.
We prioritise referrals based on urgency and individual needs. Factors like NDIS plans or funding can also affect timing. While you wait, please have a look at what you can do while waiting for resources and information. We will contact you as soon as a suitable clinician is available.