Ruqayyah Snyder
Finding a good psychologist in Australia can be challenging, especially with the variety of mental health professionals available, including counsellors, psychiatrists, and youth workers. To find a qualified psychologist, you can use the Australian Psychological Society's directory or the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists' directory for psychiatrists. Starting with a referral from your General Practitioner (GP) is often recommended, and Medicare rebates are available with a mental health treatment plan from your GP. Private health insurance may also cover part of the fees for psychologists and counsellors. It's important to find a mental health professional you feel comfortable with, and while some people find the right practitioner on their first try, it's okay to persevere and try a few options.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Referral source | Request a referral from your GP, or use directories such as the Australian Psychological Society's directory, the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists' directory, or the Australian Counselling Association's Registered Counsellor directory. |
| Qualifications | Ensure the psychologist has advanced training in mental health and is registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). |
| Specialisation | Consider any specific areas of psychology the practitioner has expertise in, such as clinical psychology, neuropsychology, health psychology, etc. |
| Treatment methods | Look for psychologists offering treatments such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) or interpersonal therapy (IPT). |
| Cost and rebates | Consider costs and whether you can claim rebates through Medicare or private health insurance. |
| Comfort level | Choose a psychologist you feel comfortable with and don't be afraid to try different practitioners to find the right fit for you. |
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What You'll Learn
Referrals and directories
In Australia, you can access mental health services with the help of the Australian Psychological Society (APS), which offers a 'Find a Psychologist' service. This tool helps you locate registered psychologists based on your specific mental health conditions and preferred treatment methods. It is important to find a psychologist who is not only geographically accessible but also proficient in treating your particular concerns.
To begin your search, consider the type of psychologist required for your specific concern. A general psychologist may offer support for a range of issues, while a clinical psychologist has expertise and training for more complex mental health needs.
You can search for your own psychologist and request a referral to a particular person from your GP. You'll need a mental health treatment plan (a referral) from a GP to claim rebates from Medicare. If you have private health insurance and extras cover, you may be able to claim part of a psychologist's fee.
The four largest online psychologist directories in Australia are: AHPRA’s Register of Practitioners, APS’ Find A Psychologist, ACPA’s Find A Clinical Psychologist, and Psychology Today. The last three of these are paid directories, meaning that the psychologist paid for their listing. On the whole, these paid directories are best thought of as being similar to a Yellow Pages ad; great to help you know what’s out there, but you’re still going to have to do some legwork to find out who provides a quality service.
You can also use word-of-mouth referrals. If you know a psychologist, they’re bound to know other psychologists who are worth your time. They’ll know the people who keep their training up, who went beyond introductory cognitive-behavioural therapy, and who tend to get good outcomes with their clients.
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Qualifications and specialties
When searching for a psychologist in Australia, it is important to ensure they have the right qualifications and specialties to meet your needs. All psychologists in Australia must be registered with the Psychology Board of Australia (PBA) and have a minimum of six years of university training and supervised practice. You can verify a psychologist's registration by searching the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) register.
Psychologists in Australia typically hold a bachelor's degree in psychology and a postgraduate qualification (either a master's or doctoral degree) in a specific area of psychology. Common specialties include clinical psychology, counselling psychology, and educational and developmental psychology. Clinical psychologists often work with people experiencing mental health issues and are trained in a range of therapeutic techniques. Counselling psychologists focus on helping individuals, couples, or groups deal with emotional and social difficulties. Educational and developmental psychologists work with children and adolescents, addressing issues related to learning, behaviour, and development.
In addition to these broad specialties, psychologists may have additional training and expertise in specific areas such as trauma, addiction, grief and loss, relationships, or sleep psychology. They may also have experience working with specific age groups, such as children, adolescents, or older adults. When searching for a psychologist, consider your specific needs and look for a psychologist with relevant experience and qualifications in that area.
You can also look for psychologists who are members of professional associations such as the Australian Psychological Society (APS) or the Australian Clinical Psychology Association (ACPA). These associations often have directories that allow you to search for psychologists based on their location and areas of practice. Membership with these associations indicates a commitment to ongoing professional development and a high level of professionalism.
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Costs and rebates
The cost of seeing a psychologist in Australia varies depending on factors such as the psychologist's session fee, funding and rebates, and the length of therapy. The Australian Psychological Society (APS) recommended a schedule of fees as a guide, with the current recommended fee being $311 per 50-minute appointment. However, each psychologist may set different costs, so it's important to confirm with them directly.
There are several options available to permanent residents, overseas visitors, and students in Australia to receive funding or partial reimbursement of psychologist session fees. These include:
- Medicare rebates: Medicare offers rebates for psychological services through the Better Access program, which helps Australians access affordable mental health care. The rebate amount is $96.65 per session with a valid Mental Health Treatment Plan. For a Clinical Psychologist, the rebate is $141.85.
- Private health insurance rebates: Many private health insurance companies provide rebates for psychological services, depending on your level of cover. You can claim rebates directly with your provider after the session, or your psychologist may be able to process your claim at the end of your appointment, and you pay the remaining amount.
- NDIS-supported psychological services: If you are covered by NDIS, there is generally no out-of-pocket cost.
- Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA)-funded therapy sessions: If you are a veteran facing mental health challenges, you may be eligible for DVA-funded therapy sessions at no out-of-pocket cost.
- Other schemes: Other schemes in Australia that provide rebates for psychologist appointments include NDIS, DVA, WorkCover, and more.
It is important to discuss fees and rebates with your psychologist prior to your appointment to understand the potential costs and any financial aids available.
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Types of therapy
The type of therapy that will be most suitable for an individual depends on several factors, including their primary reason for seeking therapy, their preferred timeline, and their personality and preferences. For instance, some may prefer a more structured approach. Multiple therapy types could be a good fit for many individuals.
In Australia, people engaging in therapy generally consult a psychotherapist, psychoanalyst, family therapist, counsellor, mental health social worker or occupational therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist.
Psychotherapy is a healing practice in which a trained practitioner collaborates with an individual to support their wellbeing. Psychotherapy generally entails a format where a therapist uses "talk therapy" to connect with a client in a collaborative, mutual relationship. They discuss and explore the client's past and present challenges, emotions, relationships, and beliefs. They also support their transformation and empowerment to improve their capacity to manage their lives and heal from any psychological distress they have experienced. Psychotherapists generally have an undergraduate degree in a health-related field in addition to 3-4 years of specialist training in psychotherapy and a period of personal psychotherapy.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a psychological treatment that changes the way you think (cognitive) and act (behavioural).
Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) improves relationships to improve your mental health.
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) is a group-based mindfulness meditation to avoid negative thoughts and feelings.
It is important to find a therapist with whom you feel comfortable. While some people find a practitioner and treatment that works for them the first time, for others, it can take a few tries. The main thing is to persevere and not let one bad experience put you off from getting support.
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Comfort and compatibility
A good place to start is by talking to your GP, who can refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist and provide a mental health treatment plan, which is necessary for claiming rebates from Medicare. You can also use directories, such as the Australian Psychological Society's directory, to find qualified psychologists near you.
When considering comfort and compatibility, it's important to find a psychologist with whom you feel at ease and who understands your needs and goals. This may involve considering factors such as the psychologist's gender, age, cultural background, and areas of specialty. For example, some psychologists have additional training in specific areas of psychology, such as clinical psychology, neuropsychology, health, community, forensic, organisational, or sports and exercise psychology.
You may also want to consider the psychologist's approach to therapy and whether it aligns with your values and beliefs. Some common therapeutic approaches include cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), which focuses on changing thoughts and behaviours, and interpersonal therapy (IPT), which aims to improve relationships to enhance mental health.
It's worth keeping in mind that the therapeutic relationship is a collaborative process, and your comfort and compatibility with the psychologist can evolve over time as you work together to address your mental health concerns.
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Frequently asked questions
You can search for a qualified psychologist near you using the Australian Psychological Society’s directory. If you have private health insurance and extras cover, you may be able to claim part of a psychologist's fee.
You will need a referral from your GP to claim rebates from Medicare. You can request a referral to a particular person from your GP.
Counsellors support people with mental health conditions and other difficulties like relationships, grief, or addiction. Treatments can include cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). Psychologists are registered health professionals who are trained in human behaviour and often complete further training in specific areas of psychology.
Psychologists are registered health professionals, so you can check their registration on the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) website.
