Medicare

From March 30, 2020, until September 2020 all Medicare eligible sessions can be accessed via telehealth, no location restrictions apply.  Mental Health Plans can be obtained via a phone consultation with your GP.

The Medicare rebate of $86.15 is also available for face to face sessions for clients who present with a Mental Health Plan (MHP).  

When visiting your GP to obtain a MHP  it is advisable to make an appointment for a double session to enable sufficient time for an assessment to be made.

If your GP determines that a mental disorder exists they can provide a referral and MHP.  According to the Australian Psychological Society, " ‘Mental disorder’ is a term used to describe a range of clinically diagnosable disorders that significantly impact on a person’s emotions, thoughts, social skills and decision-making. The Better Access initiative covers people with mental disorders arising from: 

• Alcohol use disorder 
• Anxiety disorders 
• Adjustment disorder 
• Attention deficit disorder 
• Bereavement disorder 
• Bipolar disorder 
• Conduct disorder 
• Co-occurring anxiety and depression 
• Depression 
• Drug use disorder 

• Eating disorders 
• Obsessive compulsive disorder 
• Panic disorder 
• Phobic disorder 
• Posttraumatic stress disorder 
• Psychotic disorders 
• Schizophrenia 
• Sexual disorders 
• Sleep problems

​Through the Better Access Scheme, if determined eligible by the GP people can receive: 

• Up to 10 individual sessions in a calendar year. Your referring doctor will assess your progress after the first six sessions. 
• Up to 10 group therapy sessions in a calendar year where such services are available and seen as appropriate by your referring doctor and the psychologist. 

The Medicare rebate is available for both face to face and telehealth sessions.​

 Useful Links:

​Please be aware Stewart Psychology DOES NOT provide crisis counselling.  
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In an emergency or if you are/someone is at serious risk of harm to themselves or others, please contact the police, call 000 or go to a hospital emergency department, where there will be an out-of-hours mental health team contactable.

Crisis support lines available 24/7

• Lifeline - 13 11 14
• Mental Health Line ​- 1800 011 511
• Kids Helpline (specifically for young people aged 5 to 25) - 1800 55 1800 
• MensLine Australia - 1300 78 99 78
• Beyondblue - 1300 22 4636
• Open Arms (for current and former defence force personal and their families for counselling and support for war and service-related mental health conditions) - 1800 011 046

National help lines and websites

• Black Dog Institute - Information on symptoms, treatment and prevention of depression and bipolar disorder.
• Headspace (1800 650 890) - Free online and telephone service that supports young people (12  to 25 years old) and their families going through a tough time.
• MindHealthConnect - An innovative website dedicated to providing access to trusted, relevant mental health care services, online programs and resources.
• National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) - Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services and Aboriginal Medical Services in each state and territory.
• QLife (1800 184 527  3pm-12am) -  QLife is a counselling and referral service for LGBTI people with peer supported telephone and web based services to diverse people of all ages experiencing poor mental health, psychological distress, social isolation, discrimination, experiences of being misgendered and/or other social determinants that impact on their health and wellbeing.
• Carers Australia (1800 242 636) - Short-term counselling and emotional and psychological support services for carers and their families in each state and territory.
• Griefline (1300 845 745) - GriefLine Community and Family Services Inc. (GriefLine) listens, cares and supports people experiencing loss and grief, at any stage in life.