topic Are you looking for a doctor, therapist or support group? in Treatments, health professionals and therapies

Are you looking for a doctor, therapist or support group?

Chris_B — Mon, 18 May 2015 02:38:24 GMT

Hi everyone,

We are unable to provide recommendations for specific practitioners here on the forums, but if you're looking for a practitioner in your area, please use our practitioner directory here.

Our practitioner directory is designed to help members find a medical or allied health professional in their local area who can help to diagnose, treat and manage depression and/or anxiety. The directory is not an endorsement of the health professionals listed or the services they provide. The health professionals who appear on the directory are those who have chosen to provide us with their details. We are not responsible for keeping the information up to date, although we make regular requests for listed health practitioners to do so.

Please feel free to share general advice on the forums about what to look for in a good mental health practitioner.

The Black Dog Institute have a great section on their website about consulting various kinds of professionals, including GPs, psychiatrists, psychologists and counsellors. This resource explains the difference between practitioner types, what you can expect from an assessment and what to do if you're not feeling better after seeking treatment.

UPDATE 22/7: The website Patient Opinion Australia contains feedback on a range of health practitioners, which you may find useful in finding a good practitioner, or telling your story of a less-than-ideal experience.

UPDATE 6/2/17: For support group listings, please consult the Black Dog pages here. We are unable to provide recommendations for support groups here on the forums.

Are you looking for a doctor, therapist or support group?

Owly — Mon, 18 May 2015 13:07:30 GMT

The problem with this directory is that it is more or less just a generic list of names, we have no concrete way of judging the quality and experience of these practitioners to decide who would be more suitable for specific people.

Looking at a long list of names makes it even harder to choose a practitioner.

Are you looking for a doctor, therapist or support group?

geoff — Mon, 18 May 2015 21:36:45 GMT

dear Chris, thanks for this information as it's under 'Get involved' at the top of this page, and it would correct me on a lot of posts. Thanks Geoff.

Are you looking for a doctor, therapist or support group?

Chris_B — Mon, 18 May 2015 23:38:31 GMT

Hi Owly, I've responded to you in your other thread too, but you're right, as I mentioned the list is not an endorsement of any particular practitioner. There are many different types of treatment available for anxiety and depression, and what works for some may not work for others.

I'd recommend checking out the Black Dog Institute link I gave, as they have some great information about what to look for in a good therapist. As I said in the other thread, if you ring our support service and explain your situation then they may be able to provide some more clarity for you around what types of therapy may be beneficial.

Are you looking for a doctor, therapist or support group?

Sophie_M — Tue, 08 Sep 2015 00:01:43 GMT

Here's a bit of additional information that may help in finding someone that you match well with, as the therapeutic relationship is often key in building trust and achieving the outcomes we want most.

There are two types of registered psychologists that you can book in with, and if you have a referral from your GP, then the majority of the cost can be covered by Medicare through the Better Outcomes Initiative. You can then ask to work with a general psychologist or a clinical psychologist. The main difference between the two is that a clinical psychologist can diagnose, and a general psychologist cannot.

In a practical sense, this can meant that the cost may be different, or that the amount of counselling in a session can vary (some may focus on assessment and diagnosis more than counselling).

Either way, feeling comfortable and asking questions, even before booking, can help you to find the right fit.

Some common questions may be:

- What type of therapeutic interventions do they use and what does that mean in practice?

- How busy is their practice, and will they be available in outside hours if you feel at risk?

- Do they work with people experiencing suicide thoughts? (not all do)

- Is there anything they think you should consider before booking an appointment?

Are you looking for a doctor, therapist or support group?

cRook — Sun, 16 Apr 2017 23:51:47 GMT

Owly is right. We don't need a general list of practitioners, we need a list of practitioners that are ready to help. I've been to one GP that told me that depression wasn't real and another who insinuated that asking for a mental health plan was taking help away from people who really needed it. Many years ago, beyondblue had a section on their website for GPS who had some kind of accredition with them. We need this back. I'm currently trying to find a GP for someone close to me, because they've been let down before and they need to know that they'll be helped, before they arrive, not decide whether or not they're a good fit afterwards.

Are you looking for a doctor, therapist or support group?

BlackOnBlack — Fri, 12 May 2017 01:03:02 GMT

I am frustrated because it is virtually impossible to see someone when you need to. It seems that there are too few mental health resources available.

Just yesterday my GP recommended I see someone for some urgent councelling. The next available appointment time is not for 3 weeks. What do I do in the mean time?

I've even gone to the local hospital emergency department because I was having a crisis. After a 4 hours waith got fobbed of to a local mental health service with a 6 week wait to see someone. What use is that?

Why don't they realise that sometimes you need to see someone now?

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ElDiablo — Tue, 16 May 2017 08:44:17 GMT

I don't know if anyone has this issue with GPs. They always seem to be in a hurry or just form an opinion of whatever they have in mind. And don't really bother or want to give you any medication, unless you're going to die. If they cannot help me when I'm in pain, why bother about my high cholesterol and crap and try to scare me you can die and very willing to give medications then!@?

I'm sorry I cannot be very emotional or cannot put up an act for my pain. I don't drink or do drugs, but now I see no better options from the medical system.

Are you looking for a doctor, therapist or support group?

Dr_Kim — Wed, 17 May 2017 06:17:48 GMT

Hi there everyone,

It is super frustrating for everyone to live in a community that has an underfunded health care system. I can promise you that GPs would love there to be all sorts of specialists readily available for their patients when needed but this is rarely the case.

Mostly we make do with the system we have which is often slow and often imperfect but if we all work together can often get some results.

In order to manage this system, my suggestion is that you try to see your GP as “on your side”. They know the system pretty well and can usually work it for you but you need to feel that you guys are a team together working to get the best from the system that you can without unrealistic expectations getting in the way and making you both upset.

So maybe slow down and start with a double appointment at the GP. Come in prepared. Write down a list of immediate issues and maybe more long term goals. That way the GP knows what to prioritise and what can wait a bit. ( clearly no one can do everything in one session) .

Then I suggest that you work together on a plan . For example. If you both feel that a mental health plan to see a psychologist is a good idea, then organise that. If if it is going to be a number of weeks until you can be seen ( which is actually the norm these days ) , then work together on what strategies you might use to get through the next few weeks.

You might like to think about what you have done in the past to "get yourself through". In times of increased anxiety or negative thinking, have you tried to relieve the thoughts with going for a walk , or going to a movie , or calling someone you know or a helpline or doing a puzzle or anything that might distract you momentarily from the thoughts ?

Remember it's a partnership with the GP , which means you need to add SOMETHING to the plan , some options.

Your GP might offer some things too.. maybe until your appointment comes up, they might offer regular appointments so you can drop in and tell them how you are going and which coping strategies are helping or not. Or maybe during this time.. you guys can get to know each other better and develop a relationship so the appointments are not “ wasted” but important building blocks to a long term collaboration.

Try to remember that the GP is most likely coming from a place of genuinely trying to help you and behave in an ethical and professional way too. Sometimes this means that they may seem a bit cold but ultimately the usual reason is that they have a checklist going in their minds of what they believe is the best thing for you in the long term and are brave enough to withstand your short term disappointment in them in order to serve your long term health needs.

A good example of this is when people come in wanting antibiotics for a viral cold . We know the antibiotics won’t help and in fact just contribute to the worrying problem of antibiotic resistance in the community. The person in the office however believes they will help and wants the script. Sometimes you appear "heartless’ by not giving the prescription , but you are not being unkind, you are acting according to all your medical knowledge about what is the best path to take.

So … maybe take a breath and next time see your GP with a double appointment and some preparation and the belief that they are trying to help and also that you need to do at least half of the work on the team. I feel this will make you and your GP more likely to develop a good productive relationship where you can feel understood and supported but also not put the bar up too high and feel disappointed and alone.

Are you looking for a doctor, therapist or support group?

Haether — Thu, 18 May 2017 23:11:25 GMT

Speaking as a former medical student and someone with a severe psychotic illness, GPs (even if they are on the patient's side, not an assumption I would make from my experience as a student) are often pretty ignorant about mental health concerns - ie I have not found one who was aware of the concept of a manic switch following antidepressants in bipolar, they all insist I should keep taking my antidepressants (exactly the worst advice). So I would advocate getting a referral to a psychologist and/or psychiatrist; again that's difficult as there is no guarantee of finding someone who is sympathetic or who you gel with - and as someone who was misdiagnosed for over a decade including by a Professor of Psychiatry, there is no guarantee of clinical skills. Medical professionals in general are pretty antsy about the idea that you are there to interview them for the position of your treating practitioner, they tend to think they are there to assess you (and that this is how the interview should start) rather than the other way round! All I can suggest is that people persist until they find someone who they are comfortable with. I know back in the dim dark ages (20+ years ago) women's health centers used to keep a file of Drs - from numerous specialties - and the feedback that they had got from various women about these Drs, and they used to be able to give recommendations based on that. I'm sure that it must be possible to set something like that up online - informally, I don't think an agency could do that because it probably comes with ethical (and other) concerns, but somewhere people could give feedback on who they felt helped them and who didn't would be great. This probably doesn't help, but when I was looking for a psych I had three names which I gave to an acquaintance/friend who was a psychologist whose father was a senior psychiatrist and asked if he could ask Dad if he had any thoughts; came back with the fact that two had been disciplined for boundary violations and one also had a suicide attempt - a rather high hit rate! (Dad had been on whatever the College's disciplinary board was called.)

Are you looking for a doctor, therapist or support group?

DoulaToula — Sun, 03 Sep 2017 12:39:04 GMT

My gp told me that he wants me to see a psychologist or psychiatrist and that I need long term assistance but there are no services for me because I am on a pension and broke. I can't afford gap payments and I probably need a couple of appointments a week for a couple of years perhaps more. I don't care anymore. It doesn't matter...invisible people with invisible problems.

Are you looking for a doctor, therapist or support group?

Waterfalls — Fri, 15 Sep 2017 06:28:49 GMT

Hey Heather

I totally agree with 'interviewing' them, as opposed to just pouring your heart out and finding out later they are not a good match for you.

This is exactly what I'm going to do with any new doctor/psychiatrist. If they are too uncomfortable with meeting your questions about their method and approach, then quite frankly they do not meet the grade. There are many that are just too used to sitting there passively and given their position they need to earn their keep.

Like my long term psychiatrist i have fired. She talked herself out of a job. Our more accurately just says 'its up to you no pills will work' after an hour of listening to me then gets the machine out for 150 bucks out of pocket. Then has the audacity to book another appointment with me, no plan no nothing.

Are you looking for a doctor, therapist or support group?

Just Sara — Sat, 16 Sep 2017 05:07:00 GMT

Hi everyone;

Due to increasing discussion about accessing psychological services for low income earners, I thought I'd give some ideas from my own experience.

The Rape Crisis Helpline in my state, NSW, (not sure if it's national) is a port of call I often use to combat related issues 24/7. After I called 6 times, I was given a case worker and different phone number to call. I leave my name and number and they get back to me asap. I did this at 2am and was called within 30 min's.

My details from those 6 calls are written about in notes by consultant clinical psychologists. They're specialists in the field and I can assure you they're absolutely wonderful and extremely professional.

I also called the Mental Health Crisis Hotline when things were dire. They were amazing. They gave me information on free services in my area, or as close as possible.

When I was hospitalised in February this yr, I was allocated an outpatient MH Case Worker on departure. He's lovely and very experienced. I had an issue he didn't know how to deal with, so he referred me to a 'free' psychiatrist on their books at the clinic. She was really helpful.

The clinic is privately run, but is under govt funding as an NGO. I'm sure there'd have to be other's around, but maybe people think they're like other centres and don't provide free services to clients.

The last thing I suggest is writing to your local member. I've done this on several occasions with positive results. The more people speak up, the more can be heard and hopefully changes will be imminent. Yes, it takes time, but we have a right to be proactive in how our country's run, by whom and where our tax $ are spent.

If they want our votes, they've got to do the work.
Sorry for ranting; it's also a sore point with me as with others.

Best of luck to us all...
Sara

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Nztruckr — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 23:34:41 GMT

I have read posts on here with both pro and con recently i had abit of a episode which freaked out my flatmate and a few friends i also ended up disappearing for a few days eventually the police were called i had rung beyond blue the guy suggested i should see a psychologist after talking to my gp and hear in lies the problem i wasnt happy in myself thought i could talk to a psychologist but alsas not without a referral from a gp i have trouble opening up to people yet the mental health c system here wants me to tell lots of people how is we cant just see a mental health person directly without jumping through all these other hoops im not comfortable in telling one person whats wrong just for a referral only then to have to start again telling the next person the same thing from scratch time and time again

Are you looking for a doctor, therapist or support group?

ilias — Sun, 29 Jul 2018 07:54:30 GMT

It is really frustrating trying to find a GP that has any even limited expertise in mental health - my brothers GP on the central coast has been appalling. Black dog site says find a practitioner but just has general GPs - this is not helpful at all - if anyone knows of a GP around erina that is at all helpful please can it be shared?

Are you looking for a doctor, therapist or support group?

Quercus — Mon, 30 Jul 2018 14:23:01 GMT

Hi Ilias and welcome to the forums.

Your brother is fortunate to have you in his corner supporting him and doing the legwork finding professional help. I agree it is difficult to find good services.

These forums have rules in place around providing recommendations. However I can share this website as a good place to start searching...

www.yourhealthinmind.org/find-a-psychiatrist

Personally I prefer seeing a psychiatrist rather than a psychologist for therapy and a GP for medication. Psychiatrists are doctors with extra training in mental health. The website I gave has an option in advanced search to find bulk billing professionals. Hard to find but they do exist.

Other than this I have a few other suggestions...

1. Call the doctors clinic and ask the receptionist if there is a doctor who has a special interest in mental health. Many list doctor profiles and experise on their websites too.

2. Ask people you know. If you have a trusted group of friends or work colleagues chances are at least one will see a professional for mental health issues. Personal recommendations are absolute gold.

3. Check out the mental health peak body in your state. Here in WA we have WAAHM who you can call or visit to ask about available services and advice specific to your state.

I know this isn't exactly what you were asking for but I hope it helps. If your brother wants to supplement his offline therapy feel free to mention these forums too. We are always happy to talk and most of us here are people who live with mental illness so we do understand.

Nat

Are you looking for a doctor, therapist or support group?

Jazz_H — Sun, 09 Sep 2018 11:19:43 GMT

Hi everyone,

I was wondering is there a way to see a doctor without first obtaining a Medicare card? I'm 17 years old and I am too scared to ask my parents to get my own out of fear they will question me.

Jazz

Are you looking for a doctor, therapist or support group?

Quercus — Sat, 15 Sep 2018 09:41:17 GMT

Hi Jazz and a belated welcome to the forums.

I am sorry you had to wait so long. Sometimes posts slip through but that doesn't mean we don't care.

As a minor you do need adult support to seek medical help. If the doctor needs to give you a prescription or refer you or send you to hospital an adult is needed.

How do you feel about phoning the kids helpline and having a chat to someone? Their website has a lot of helpful info too. https://kidshelpline.com.au/teens.

May I ask... What makes you not able to speak about what you feel to your parents? If the topic is embarrassing thats ok your parents were young adults once too.

Or you could speak to the counsellor or a trusted teacher at your school. They may need to notify your parents if you are at risk though ok.

I hope you can return and talk to us.

Nat

Are you looking for a doctor, therapist or support group?

flameprincess — Sat, 17 Nov 2018 22:59:20 GMT

Hello, I understand you can't recommend specific doctors but perhaps someone can guide me some other way. I need a doctor who knows about extended SSRI withdrawal syndrome. I have been managing this myself with my GP who has no experience of it but is lovely.. but its got to the point where I need to be very very careful with my tapering, my GP similarly has no experience with this. A 5% drop in my medication after 3 weeks can cause a migraine lasting days. But I need to do the tapering as I'm now on a SNRI and an SSRI at the same time.

My protracted withdrawal symptoms went for the three months June, July, August (dizziness, vertigo, cognitive fog on and off) until I reintroduced my medication at a very low dose. But now my CNS is very fragile I feel. I would just love to know there is a professional in Brisbane with experience in this area. If I can't get a recommendation - what do I search for?

Are you looking for a doctor, therapist or support group?

romantic_thi3f — Sun, 18 Nov 2018 23:32:11 GMT

Hi flameprincess,

Welcome to the forums!

Thank you for your question although I'm not sure how helpful we can be. Unfortunately we're not able to give out specific recommendations here.

One thing I did think of is to potentially find a psychiatrist instead - SSRI withdrawal is a very specific enquiry which makes me think a psychiatrist will know much more, having done training in both mental health and medications!

You can find psychiatrists here https://www.yourhealthinmind.org/find-a-psychiatrist - or ask your GP for a local referral. On the website you can also specify 'bulk billing' and/or 'depression' (given the link with SSRI's).

Hope this helps,