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.

Anyone looking for a different approach to their health. 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.

Cannabis medicine is one of our specialities, but we're a full-scope integrative medical clinic. Our services include women's health, hormone therapy, herbal medicine, infusion therapy, physiotherapy, breathwork, and more. Cannabis therapeutics are recommended only when clinically appropriate — it's one tool in a much larger kit.

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 $199 (30–45 minutes). Follow-up appointments are $99 (30 minutes). Extended follow-ups for complex care management are $149. 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. Cannabis medicine reviews, medication 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 pharmacy partner, Wholelife Pharmacy in Cairns. 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.

We use evidence-based cannabinoid therapy, personalised to your condition, your body, and your goals. That starts with a thorough assessment by a practitioner who understands how cannabis interacts with your other treatments, medications, and health history. If cannabis is clinically appropriate, you'll receive a tailored prescription and ongoing monitoring. If it isn't appropriate, your practitioner will explain why and recommend alternatives. We don't operate a prescription mill. Cannabis is recommended only when it's the right fit, within the broader context of your care.

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. Application fees are included in your consultation cost.

Yes. Medicinal cannabis has been legal in Australia since 2016 under the TGA's Special Access Scheme and Authorised Prescriber pathways. All Sohma House practitioners who prescribe cannabis are Authorised Prescribers or operate within the SAS framework. Your prescription is legal, documented, and fully compliant with federal and state regulations.

Common presentations include chronic pain, insomnia, anxiety, PTSD, chemotherapy-related nausea, epilepsy, neurological conditions, and treatment-resistant mental health presentations. Suitability is assessed on a case-by-case basis during your consultation. To be eligible, you generally need a chronic condition lasting three months or longer, and either past treatments that were ineffective or caused unacceptable side effects.

Not necessarily. Medicinal cannabis products are formulated in specific ratios of cannabinoids (including CBD and THC) tailored to your condition. Many protocols use little or no THC. Products that do contain THC are carefully titrated from low doses, and your practitioner will explain exactly what to expect from your specific formulation. The goal is symptom management, not intoxication.

No. Your practitioner will assess your condition, symptoms, medical history, current medications, and eligibility based on TGA requirements before making any prescribing decision. If cannabis is not clinically appropriate for you, your practitioner will explain why and recommend the best course of action for your situation. Your health and safety come first, always.

An Authorised Prescriber is a medical practitioner who has been approved by the TGA to prescribe specific therapeutic goods (including medicinal cannabis) to a defined class of patients. This pathway removes the need for individual patient-by-patient TGA applications, which means faster access for you and no additional paperwork delays. Sohma House practitioners prescribe through the Authorised Prescriber pathway wherever possible.

If you've done your own research or have heard about a specific product, you're welcome to raise it with your practitioner. They'll advise whether it's suitable for your condition and how it compares to other options. Final prescribing decisions are always made on clinical grounds. We prescribe from a curated formulary of products we've selected for quality, consistency, and clinical evidence, sourced from longstanding relationships with Australia's best cultivators and select international partners.

It means we don't prescribe from every product on the market. We've built a formulary of cannabis medicines selected for clinical quality, consistency, and evidence. These are sourced through longstanding relationships with Australia's leading cultivators and a small number of international partners. We choose products based on clinical merit, not commercial incentives. Your practitioner prescribes what's best for you, not what a product company is paying to promote.

Many Australian private health insurers now provide coverage for prescribed cannabis medicines under their Extras plans. The amount covered depends on your specific policy. You'll typically need your pharmacy receipt with the pharmacy ABN, pharmacist details, prescriber information, and proof of the amount paid. Coverage is generally limited to products prescribed via the SAS or Authorised Prescriber pathways (not compounded products). Check with your insurer for your specific coverage limits.

The cost varies depending on which products your practitioner prescribes for your condition. Due to TGA advertising regulations, we cannot list product names or prices on our website. Your practitioner will discuss all costs with you during your consultation, and you'll see the full pricing before you commit to any order. There are no hidden fees. Through our pharmacy partnership with Wholelife, you'll pay competitive rates with no inflated dispensing charges.

After your consultation, your prescription is sent to our pharmacy partner, Wholelife Pharmacy in Cairns. For face-to-face patients, you can collect your medication locally. For telehealth patients, Wholelife handles dispatch and delivery via free 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 Wholelife Pharmacy 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. Schedule 8 medications (which include most cannabis medicines containing THC) expire 6 months from the date prescribed. Schedule 4 medications expire 12 months. 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 restrictions in detail during your consultation. Products containing no THC generally don't carry driving restrictions. Products containing THC do. Driving with any detectable amount of THC in your system is currently a criminal offence in all Australian states except Tasmania, even with a valid prescription. THC may be detected in saliva for several days after use. Your practitioner will make sure you understand the specific implications for your medication before you leave your appointment.

Yes. If you hold a valid prescription, you can travel with your approved medication between all states and territories, including by air. Keep your medication in its original packaging with the pharmacy 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 travelling with a specific product, ask your practitioner or contact us.

Follow the instructions on your medication packaging. As a general rule, keep cannabis products below 21 degrees Celsius, away from direct sunlight, and in a dry place. Dried herb products are particularly sensitive to heat and moisture. Keep all medications out of reach of children.

Cannabis medicine often requires careful titration to find the right dose. 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 dosage adjustments, and if a change to your treatment 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 dried herb medication. The TGA-approved medical vaporisers in Australia are the Mighty Medic, Mighty Medic+, and Volcano Medic 2. These can be purchased through Wholelife Pharmacy. Your practitioner will explain the delivery method for your specific prescription during your consultation.

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 plant-based preparations — 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 plant-based 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 Australian Privacy Act and the Privacy (Australian Government Agencies — Governance) APP Code. 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.