Mental Health Care Plans and Counselling

​

As stated on the Service Australia website your GP may refer you to a Counsellor as part of your Mental Health Care Plan.  Unfortunately however, Counselling is not eligible for any rebate through medicare. This means that your fee will not be subsidised through medicare and the full fee is payable on the day of your appointment.

Below is the information from the Service Australia Website regarding Mental Health Care Plans and Counselling.

​

Mental health professional support

Your doctor can refer you to mental health professionals including:

• psychiatrists

• psychologists

• counsellors

• social workers

• occupational therapists.

​

If you are struggling with issues like relationships, money, or the loss of a loved one, counselling might help you to cope and move on through life.

​

What is a counsellor?

A counsellor is a person who you talk to so they can help you overcome difficulties in your life and make the changes you want to make.

​

What do counsellors do?

Counsellors help people who are facing problems such as stress, financial stress, domestic violence, divorce or relationship breakup. Counsellors also support people with mental illnesseslike depression, anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder.

In combination with nicotine replacement therapy, counselling can also help people quit smoking.

Types of counsellors

Counsellors work with individuals, couples, families and groups. Some of the most common types of counselling are:

• relationship counselling

• family therapy

• financial counselling

• rehabilitation counselling for people with a disability, health condition or social disadvantage

• school counselling

• veterans counselling (for example, by Open Arms — Veterans and Families Counselling)

• counselling for older people

• counselling for children, teenagers and young adults (for example, by Kids Helpline)

• carers’ counselling

There is also counselling to deal with issues such as:

• anger management

• grief and loss

• alcohol or drug addiction

• dealing with eating disorders like anorexia or bulimia

Some counsellors can offer a range of approaches, which means they might find one that suits you. Other counsellors offer only one approach. Make sure that the type of counselling the counsellor offers suits you and the issues you face.

​

Need help now?

If you are in immediate danger of harming yourself, call triple zero (000).

Are you having a tough time and you need to talk to someone? The helplines and services below are available 24 hours, 7 days a week.

​

Further Information

• Lifeline (anyone having a personal crisis) — call 13 11 14 or chat online

• Suicide Call Back Service (anyone thinking about suicide) — call 1300 659 467

• Beyond Blue (anyone feeling depressed or anxious) — call 1300 22 4636 or chat online