GP and Health Professionals
Here are the things to know if you plan to refer a patient for counselling.
Areas of Interest
Areas of therapeutic interest and expertise include:
- Adolescents/young people and their parents
- Disability (adjustment, grief and loss issues)
- Eating and Body image issues
- Mood disorders (Anxiety, Depression and Bipolar)
- Sexual abuse, assault and trauma related issue
Psychological Approach
Naturally the approach is tailored to the needs of the client. However, after thorough assessment and a strong therapeutic approach, I draw on Cognitive Behaviour, Dialectical Behaviour and emotion focussed processing therapies to treat a range of conditions and experiences.
Mental Health Care Plan referrals
As a Medicare provider, patients referred with a Mental Health Care Plan will be eligible for rebates for 6-10 sessions per colander year. A patient under a plan, can obtain 6 rebated sessions but will need GP review before accessing a further 4 sessions.
A provider requires an initial referral letter as well as a review letter to provide rebated sessions for a patient and this letter needs to be made out to the treating psychologist (with the correct name and contact details).
Mental Health Care Plans expire after a year.
OTHER REFERRAL TYPES
Patients can be referred without a mental health care plan. Some private health funds also provide rebates though this depends on the patient’s policy. The person seeking counselling would need to make contact , discuss and consent to treatment though a GP, other health professional, career, parent, friend or partner is welcome to contact on their behalf to seek information initially.