Individual Therapy in Point Cook
One-on-one therapy with a psychologist or other mental health professional gives you regular, private time to work through what you are facing. For most people it starts with a GP, who can assess how you are going and arrange a referral.
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Common types of talking therapy
- Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT): noticing unhelpful thoughts and behaviours and practising new ones
- Interpersonal therapy: working on relationships and life changes that affect mood
- Acceptance and commitment therapy: making room for difficult feelings while acting on what matters to you
- Problem-solving therapy: breaking practical problems into steps you can act on
- Mindfulness-based approaches: training attention to reduce worry and rumination
- Trauma-focused therapies: working through the lasting effects of a frightening or distressing event
Problems therapy can address
A particular diagnosis is not needed to benefit. Therapy is commonly used for anxiety, depression, stress, grief, relationship difficulties, trauma, low self-esteem and adjusting to big life changes. Sessions offer a chance to understand what keeps you stuck, learn practical skills and try them out in everyday life.
From GP visit to first session
- See a GP to talk about how things have been
- The GP assesses your mental health and may prepare a Mental Health Care Plan
- A referral is written to a psychologist, or to an occupational therapist or social worker with mental health accreditation
- You contact the practitioner to make a booking
- After the first block of sessions, a GP review is needed before further rebated sessions
The first few sessions
Early sessions are mostly about getting to know each other. Expect questions about what brought you in, what you would like to change and a little of your background, so you can agree on goals together. Under Better Access, the practitioner also reports back to the referring GP, which keeps your medical care connected.
Later on, sessions often involve learning and rehearsing skills, with small tasks to try between appointments. Therapy can feel uncomfortable at times, which is normal. If something does not feel right, raise it with the therapist.
Choosing a therapist
The working relationship matters as much as the method. Practical points include location, appointment times, cost, a preference for telehealth or face-to-face sessions, and any preference about gender, language or cultural background. Mention these when the referral is written.
Language matters for the GP visit too: the clinic offers phone interpreting, and a face-to-face interpreter when one is requested before the day.
Costs and rebates
Under Medicare’s Better Access initiative, a referral and plan open up Medicare rebates for a capped number of one-on-one sessions per year, including telehealth, plus a separate allowance for group therapy. Therapists set their own fees, so the rebate may not cover the full cost. Ask about the gap before your first appointment. Eligibility and session limits are set by the government and can be revised, so check what currently applies.
If therapy is not helping
Progress is rarely steady, but if several sessions pass with little change, it is worth talking about. A different approach, a different therapist or adding medicine may suit you better, and a GP can arrange a new referral if needed.
Fees and bulk billing
Out-of-pocket fees apply to most consultations, and each practitioner sets their own fees. Bulk billing is available with all our doctors for Veterans’ Affairs patients, pensioners over 65, childhood and adult immunisations and GP care plans. See our fees page or call reception before you book.