Getting help

[Em_Louise]

Hello 🙂

I have used this forum before a while ago, but I finally decided to get help. I went to my GP (a new one) and completed a K10 form thing, but my GP handed me a bulk-billed psychologist-clinic number - which is great. However, it is online, and based on how little motivation I have right now I was sort of hoping for face to face type of help, but I sorta froze and shut down in my appointment so I didn’t get to really explain what I was looking for oops. I’m aware he did this so I could avoid out of pocket expenses, but I thought there was a 10 session free/ cheap with Medicare? Which is what a friend had told me, and what I was going in for. Next week my GP is planning to set up a mental health care plan so should I bring up that I don’t want to do the online clinic, and ask about the 10 or so sessions with the care plan.

sorry if this doesn’t make a ton of sense, I’m just wondering what anyone else would do in this situation/ or has anyone else had experience with getting those 10 free/discounted sessions and could drop some advice 🙂

Thank you in advance !! Xx

[sunnyl20]

Hey Em Louise,

I'm really glad that you have been able to reach out and get help, it can take a lot of courage to make this decision. Your preference to see someone face-to-face is completely understandable and I would really encourage you to discuss this with your GP so that they can recommend someone who is seeing patients face-to-face. The mental health treatment plan that you mentioned does help make seeing a psychologist more affordable (but usually not free) - you can now get up to 20 sessions in this plan, you can read more about specifics here (https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/subjects/whats-covered-medicare/mental-health-care-and-medicare) if you wish 🙂

I hope that helps. Please feel free to ask/talk more if you want. I hope that your appointment goes well and that you can find someone supportive and helpful. Take care.

[Em_Louise]

Hello !

wow thank you for such a quick reply, I think my GP mentioned the sessions with the treatment plan, I think I just wasn’t focusing properly! So I’m definitely going to enquire about it more next week! Thank for your help, and the link was really helpful. 🙂

[mocha delight]

Hi em louise you can also get 10 group therapy sessions as well as the 10 individual sessions every calendar year to. Also with the first 10 individual sessions once you have the first 6 you have to go back to your gp for a review to get the last 4 .

[Em_Louise]

Hello !

Thank you to everyone who got back to me, it means a lot 🙂

Thought I’d update if anyone wants to know or something - I booked my first appointment with a psychologist, yay !! So thanks again, we’ll see how it goes.

Em x

[Ggrand]

Hello Em..

I am so pleased that you have your first appointment with a psychologist all sorted out..very well done..

I wish you all the best wishes I can and hope your psychologist can help you towards mental wellness..

Talk here anytime you feel up to it...

I just wanted to pop in and say hello...and welcome to the forums...

My kindest and most caring thoughts dear Em..

Grandy..