Frequently asked questions

No. You can book directly — no GP referral is required for most of our services. If a referral would help with Medicare rebates for your specific consultation, we'll let you know when you book.

People carrying something complex — pain, fatigue, hormones, a folder of 'normal' results — who are tired of being the courier between clinicians. Many of our patients come to us with complex or chronic conditions — chronic pain, autoimmune issues, hormonal imbalances, fatigue — often after feeling unheard or bounced between specialists. But you don't need to be in crisis to come here. We also see people who simply want more thorough, integrated care than the standard 15-minute GP appointment allows.

Absolutely. Most of our patients haven't. We'll explain everything in plain language, walk you through the evidence behind any recommendation, and never pressure you into something you're not comfortable with. Your first appointment is a conversation, not a commitment.

Yes, and we encourage it. We work alongside your existing care team, not instead of them. With your consent, we'll communicate directly with your GP and specialists to make sure everyone is on the same page.

No — we're a full-scope integrative medical clinic. Our services include women's health, hormone therapy, herbal medicine, infusion therapy, physiotherapy, breathwork, and more. Where clinically appropriate, our practitioners also prescribe natural and alternative medicines — one tool in a much larger kit, never the whole picture.

You can book online through our website or send us a message through our contact page. If you're not sure which practitioner or service is right for you, our reception team can help.

We'll send you a confirmation email with a short intake form and a secure link to upload any relevant medical records — blood work, imaging, specialist letters. Completing these before your appointment means we can spend your consultation time on conversation, not paperwork.

Any medical records, pathology results, imaging, or medication lists you have. If you don't have anything organised, that's completely fine. We'll work with what's available. Also bring your Medicare card, any health fund or DVA card, and a list of current medications and supplements.

Initial consultations are 30–45 minutes. We don't rush. You'll have time to share your full history, ask questions, and leave with a clear picture of next steps.

Yes. When booking, you can choose your practitioner. If you're unsure who's the best fit, call us and our team will match you based on your needs.

Initial consultations are $99 (40 minutes). Reviews are $89 (20 minutes). Extended reviews for complex care are $149 (45 minutes). Same price in-clinic or via telehealth. We always confirm your out-of-pocket cost before your appointment so there are no surprises.

We do not bulk bill. However, Medicare rebates may apply for eligible consultations, which reduces your out-of-pocket cost. We'll advise you on this when you book.

Yes. We can process health fund claims on-site for services covered under extras — including naturopathy, physiotherapy, and herbal medicine. Coverage varies by fund and plan level. Check with your insurer or ask us when you book and we'll help you find out.

Yes. DVA Gold and White card holders are welcome. Please mention your DVA status when booking so we can arrange the paperwork in advance.

Concession rates are available for Healthcare Card and Pension Card holders. Let us know when you book and we'll confirm the adjusted fee.

Cash, card (Visa, Mastercard, AMEX), and EFTPOS. Payment is taken at the time of your appointment.

We ask for 24 hours' notice if you need to cancel or reschedule. Late cancellations or missed appointments may incur a fee, as that time was reserved specifically for you.

17 Anderson St, Manunda QLD 4870 — about 5 minutes from the Cairns CBD, near Cairns Private Hospital.

Yes. Free on-site parking is available, including accessible bays. No meters, no time limits.

Monday to Friday: 9:00am – 6:00pm. Saturday: 10:00am – 4:00pm. Closed Sundays and public holidays.

Yes. We're a ground-floor clinic with step-free entry, accessible parking, and an accessible restroom. If you have specific access needs, call ahead and we'll make sure everything is ready.

A calm, unhurried experience. You'll be greeted by our reception team, offered a drink, and shown to a comfortable consultation room. Your practitioner will spend the full appointment listening to your history, asking questions, and beginning to build a picture of your health. You'll leave with a clear understanding of what's going on and what the recommended next steps are.

In most cases, yes — at least an initial one. Some complex cases may require further testing or investigation before a full plan is finalised, but you'll always leave your first appointment knowing what's happening next.

Yes, nationally. Telehealth is live for both initial and follow-up consultations. See the Telehealth section for full details on how it works, what you need, and how medication reaches you.

Yes. Our telehealth platform is live from day one. Both GP and RN consultations are available via secure video, and our telehealth reach is national. You can receive the same coordinated, integrative care regardless of where you are in Australia.

Any Australian patient. Telehealth is available for both initial and follow-up consultations. If your presentation requires hands-on assessment (for example, physiotherapy or certain examinations), your practitioner will let you know and recommend an in-person visit or a referral to a local provider.

A device with a camera, microphone, and stable internet connection. We recommend a laptop or desktop using Google Chrome for the smoothest experience, but any modern browser or smartphone will work. If you prefer a phone call instead of video, mention this when you book.

For many consultations, yes. Medication reviews, dose adjustments, care plan discussions, case conferencing, and most follow-ups work well over video. Your practitioner has access to your full clinical record, your shared care plan, and any uploaded pathology or imaging. Where an in-person assessment is genuinely needed, we'll tell you.

Your prescription is dispensed through our Cairns pharmacy partner. They handle dispatch and delivery via free express post to anywhere in Australia. You'll receive tracking information once your order ships. Most patients receive their medication within 2 to 3 business days.

Medicare rebates are available for eligible telehealth consultations. Your practitioner will advise on your specific rebate eligibility when you book. Some MBS items require an existing relationship with the practitioner, so rebate availability may differ between initial and follow-up consultations.

Where clinically appropriate, our practitioners prescribe natural and alternative medicines as one part of a broader, evidence-based plan — personalised to your circumstances, your history, and your goals. It starts with a thorough assessment by a practitioner who understands how any treatment interacts with your other medications and conditions. If a treatment is clinically appropriate, you'll receive a tailored prescription and ongoing monitoring. If it isn't, your practitioner will explain why and recommend alternatives. We don't operate a prescription mill.

We follow the regulations set by the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). Because these are prescription alternative medicines, we can't list or promote specific treatments publicly — your options are discussed with a qualified practitioner after a clinical assessment, so the right decision can be made for your individual circumstances.

Yes. All treatments prescribed by Sohma House practitioners are legal in Australia and prescribed in line with current TGA requirements, through the Special Access Scheme or Authorised Prescriber pathways. Your prescription is legal, documented, and compliant with federal and state regulations.

Eligibility is determined by a practitioner after a clinical assessment. In general, alternative therapies may be considered when you have a chronic condition that has lasted three months or longer, and you have tried other treatments that were either ineffective or caused unwanted side effects. Some health histories — including certain mental health conditions, or pregnancy and breastfeeding — may make a treatment unsuitable. Your practitioner will talk this through with you.

No GP referral is needed — you can book directly. If a TGA application is required for your specific prescription (via the Special Access Scheme or Authorised Prescriber pathway), we handle the paperwork for you, and application fees are included in your consultation cost.

No, a prescription isn't guaranteed. Your practitioner will assess whether treatment is clinically appropriate based on your symptoms, medical history, current medications, relevant TGA requirements, and any potential risks or contraindications. If a prescription isn't suitable, your practitioner will explain why and recommend the best course of action. Your health and safety come first, always.

An Authorised Prescriber is a medical practitioner approved by the TGA to prescribe certain therapeutic goods that aren't on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods, where clinically appropriate. This pathway lets practitioners prescribe directly to patients in their care without a separate application each time — which means faster, simpler access for you.

If you've done your own research or heard about a specific option, you're welcome to raise it with your practitioner, who will advise whether it's suitable for you and how it compares to other options. Final prescribing decisions are always made on clinical grounds, from a formulary we've selected for quality, consistency, and clinical evidence — not commercial incentives.

Some Australian private health insurers provide coverage for prescribed medicines under their Extras plans. The amount covered depends on your specific policy, and you'll typically need your pharmacy receipt showing the pharmacy and prescriber details and the amount paid. Check with your insurer for your specific coverage limits.

Medication pricing varies depending on what your practitioner prescribes. Due to TGA regulations, we can't display medication prices publicly — but your practitioner will discuss all costs with you during your consultation, and you'll see the full pricing before you commit to any order. We don't add mark-ups, and there are no hidden fees.

After your consultation, your prescription is sent to our Cairns pharmacy partner. For face-to-face patients, you can collect locally. For telehealth patients, our pharmacy partner handles dispatch and delivery via express post to anywhere in Australia. Most deliveries arrive within 2 to 3 business days.

If your prescription includes repeats, you can order directly through our pharmacy partner without needing another consultation. Once all repeats are used, you'll need a follow-up appointment with your practitioner to review your progress and receive a new script. We recommend checking your remaining repeats regularly so you can book a follow-up before you run out.

Yes. Depending on the medication, prescriptions generally expire either 6 or 12 months from the date prescribed. Place your order with the pharmacy well before the expiry date to allow for processing and dispatch. If your prescription is close to expiring, book a follow-up consultation with your practitioner.

Your practitioner will discuss driving considerations in detail during your consultation. Medications containing THC can impair driving ability, and your practitioner will advise you not to drive or operate machinery while taking them. Across most of Australia it is a criminal offence to drive with any detectable THC in your system, even with a valid prescription, and THC can remain detectable in saliva for a period after use. Your practitioner will make sure you understand the specific implications for your medication before you leave.

Yes. With a valid prescription you can generally travel with your medication between all states and territories, including by air. Keep it in its original pharmacy packaging with the label attached, carry photo ID matching the name on the label, and remember that any driving restrictions still apply while you're travelling. If you have questions about a specific product, ask your practitioner or contact us.

Follow the instructions on your medication packaging. As a general rule, keep medicines below 21 degrees Celsius, away from direct sunlight, and in a dry place. Keep all medications out of reach of children.

Some medicines need careful titration to find the right dose, and what works for one person may not work the same way for another. If you feel your medication isn't providing relief, contact us. Our clinical team can advise on adjustments, and if a change to your plan is needed, we'll book you a follow-up with your practitioner.

Stop taking the medication and contact us immediately. Our clinical nursing team is available to assess the situation and notify your prescribing practitioner, who will recommend an appropriate course of action. If you are having a medical emergency, call 000 or present to a hospital emergency department.

Only if your practitioner prescribes a medication that requires one. Where a device is needed, your practitioner will explain the delivery method for your specific prescription during your consultation, and it can be arranged through our pharmacy partner.

We provide comprehensive hormonal care across all life stages — including PCOS, endometriosis, thyroid conditions, perimenopause, menopause, and fertility support. Our approach focuses on root-cause investigation rather than symptom suppression.

Yes, where clinically appropriate. We offer both conventional and bioidentical hormone therapy options, always tailored to your individual needs and monitored over time.

Yes. These are common presentations and often point to underlying hormonal imbalances that can be thoroughly investigated and treated.

Infusion therapy delivers nutrients, vitamins, and minerals directly into the bloodstream via an IV drip. This bypasses the digestive system and allows for higher absorption. We use it for fatigue, immune support, recovery, and specific deficiency states.

Yes, when administered by trained clinical staff in an appropriate setting. All infusions at Sohma House are prescribed by a qualified practitioner and administered by registered nurses.

Most sessions take between 30 and 60 minutes. You'll be in a comfortable chair and can read, rest, or use your phone during the session.

Herbal medicine uses preparations made from whole plants and botanical extracts — tinctures, teas, capsules, and topical applications — to treat and support health conditions. Our herbalists combine traditional knowledge with contemporary evidence to create personalised formulations.

Herb-drug interactions are real and we take them seriously. Your practitioner will review all current medications and supplements before prescribing any herbal treatment to ensure safety.

Our approach combines hands-on manual therapy with movement retraining, pain neuroscience education, and exercise prescription. We treat musculoskeletal conditions, chronic pain, post-surgical rehabilitation, and movement dysfunction.

No referral is needed to see our physiotherapist. You can book directly.

Integration is the process of making sense of and grounding insights from psychedelic experiences — whether from clinical treatment, ceremony, or personal exploration. It's not psychedelic-assisted therapy itself. It's structured therapeutic support for what comes after.

No. Sohma House does not administer psychedelic substances. We provide integration support — a safe, non-judgmental space to process your experience with a trained practitioner.

It's a therapeutic process, but it's distinct from general counselling. It's specifically designed to help you understand, embody, and apply what emerged during a psychedelic experience, particularly when that experience was intense, confusing, or difficult to integrate alone.

No. Community programs are open to everyone — you don't need to be an existing patient. They're a great way to explore what Sohma House is about without booking a clinical appointment.

Group workshops cover topics like stress and nervous system regulation, nutrition for chronic conditions, breath and movement practices, and introductions to natural and integrative medicine. Check our events page for the current schedule.

Yes. We offer yoga classes suitable for a range of abilities, with an emphasis on reconnecting with your body rather than performance or flexibility. Class times are listed on our events page.

Sohma House has an in-clinic podcast studio available for hire. It's designed for health practitioners, researchers, and community voices who have something worth sharing. Contact us for rates and availability.

The Institute is our training and mentorship arm — designed for health practitioners who want to practise differently. We offer clinical training, mentorship for early-career practitioners, practice design consulting, and licensing of the Coherence Model operational framework.

Qualified health practitioners — GPs, naturopaths, herbalists, physiotherapists, psychologists, nurses — who want to develop skills in integrative, relational, or complex care. You don't need to be in a specific discipline.

The Coherence Model is Sohma House's operational blueprint for running a multi-disciplinary integrative clinic — covering patient flow, case conferencing, team coordination, and sustainable business design. It's available for licensing by other clinics.

We offer mentorship and supervised practice for selected practitioners. Contact the Institute directly to discuss your situation.

All patient information is stored securely in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles. We never share your information with third parties without your explicit consent. Full details are in our Privacy Policy.

Yes. You have the right to access your records at any time. Contact the clinic and we'll arrange it.

Yes, with the patient's consent. Parents and guardians can book for minors. For adult patients, we'll need verbal or written confirmation from the patient before sharing any clinical information.