How to get things started

A Clinical Psychologist is professionally trained and registered to practice in Australia.

A Clinical Psychologist has special skills to assess psychological issues and, with the client, develop a plan that will help return the client back to psychological health (wellness).

In Australia, a client can approach their medical doctor to first identify the need for therapy. Together, they develop a Mental Health Care Plan (which the doctor registers with Medicare). The doctor then recommends a psychologist to the client. Medicare rebates up to 10 sessions of treatment. After 6 sessions, the psychologist writes a progress letter to the referring doctor who reviews the progress with the client and if they both think it helpful, approve an additional 4 sessions. During the Covid19 pandemic, the Australian Government increased the Care Plan from 10 sessions to 20 sessions.

When approaching a psychologist, it is helpful to have an initial conversation - so the client gets a sense if they would work well together. As important, the psychologist can assess if his/her skill-set is the best fit for the client to maximise the chance of success.

If you approach Vitality, after developing your Mental Health Care Plan, you can then contact one of our psychologists for an initial conversation (mentioned above).

Dr Gerardine Taylor Robinson 0417 274 477 gtaylor@vitalitypsych.com.au

Dr Tony Robinson 0417 296 937 trobinson@vitalitypsych.com.au