Immediate support
Immediate support

Treatments, health professionals and therapies

Information on a range of different areas, including managing relationships with GPs and psychologists, and finding the right services for you.

Start a discussion

FAQ

Find answers to some of the more frequently asked questions on the Forums.

View the FAQ

Forums guidelines

Our guidelines keep the Forums a safe place for people to share and learn information.

View the guidelines
Jump to
Start a discussion

All discussions

Start a discussion

ABC01 Confused about different types of groups
  • replies: 4

Dear All, I am slightly confused about the different types of groups available to participate in. I have found a support group and a social group. Are there any other types of groups? My understanding is that a support group is to introduce yourself,... View more

Dear All, I am slightly confused about the different types of groups available to participate in. I have found a support group and a social group. Are there any other types of groups? My understanding is that a support group is to introduce yourself, tell how your time has been going and discuss how you may cope(as in strategies or techniques that work for you,so other can hear them). For the particular topic of the support group. And then others in the group do the same. It is a supportive environment. But there is no education component. As in a lesson on the topic. A social group is to meet like minded people or people in a similar situation, but instead of discussing these feelings, is an outlet to meet people and have a coffee and chat. Not too heavy or deep. Also may allow people to get out of the house and the group members understand how hard it is for people to have done that. Also no educational component. Is this correct?Are there any other group types in relation to mental health that I am not aware off? Thank you for reading,ABC01

Shadree Finding a reliable therapist
  • replies: 3

TLDR: I'd like to know how to go about find a reliable therapist. One I can see on a regular basis and won't suddenly stop practicing. I've had a bad run trying to find and keep a psychologist.My first wanted to hypnotise me and got upset when I woul... View more

TLDR: I'd like to know how to go about find a reliable therapist. One I can see on a regular basis and won't suddenly stop practicing. I've had a bad run trying to find and keep a psychologist.My first wanted to hypnotise me and got upset when I wouldn't let him.My second was highly irregular. It was months between visits. When I finally had a session, there was only enough time to catch up, not discuss issues.The latest hurdle was being referred to Psychology SA. First therapist stopped practicing altogether and started teaching. Second therapist (my favourite so far) stopped seeing adult clients. Third therapist wasn't ideal but I was giving him a try. Then, not 5 sessions is, the entire Psychology SA business stopped running.Side note: I was told they would help but all I got was two names of franchises. Not even specific offices. I need some stability and don't want to have to build up rapport or explain my problems to a new person every few months.I tried the Australian Psychological Society’s directory but I can't even figure out how to filter out telehealth. At the moment, I am planning to ask my GP but they're quite flippant about the process. I could use some advise.

Pura Hi All, I 'd to Introduce myself
  • replies: 2

Hi I am Pura, new to the forum. I am 44 year old mom to three kids. I am a self diagnosed ( much later in life)ADD person and I have two children who has the same traits. My aim is to learn more about ADD and find effective tools for us to thrive. Al... View more

Hi I am Pura, new to the forum. I am 44 year old mom to three kids. I am a self diagnosed ( much later in life)ADD person and I have two children who has the same traits. My aim is to learn more about ADD and find effective tools for us to thrive. All my life I have felt as a misfit, lost and suffered from low confidence due to not being like others. I want to harness my strengths, manage chaos around me, and regain my confidence.

Tweet-Heart Clinical Psychologist - privacy guidelines around sensitive information clarification please...
  • replies: 32

I have just started seeing a clinical psychologist, he told me about privacy which I understand. However, I want to discuss some sensitive information and provide him with sensitive documents that I don't want other people or third party agencies to ... View more

I have just started seeing a clinical psychologist, he told me about privacy which I understand. However, I want to discuss some sensitive information and provide him with sensitive documents that I don't want other people or third party agencies to know about. I called AHPRA today and they referred me to the APS Code of ethics which is a legally binding document. However, I am still uncertain about whether a clinical psychologist can retain a sensitive file and less sensitive file. I am just concerned about third party agencies like Centrelink, insurers, worksafe etc finding out about sensitive information that is not relevant and then using that against me. I just feel that people should be able to consult with professionals without having to worry about this kind of thing. I also don't want him to keep an electronic file. Maybe I should discuss this with him at our next session, any advice would be appreciated.

Innerbattle Struggle to get help
  • replies: 2

I need to get professional help but am finding the idea of getting help really hard. I have made appointments in the past with a gp wanting to get referral for help and then when i get into the appointment deflect and change why I am there. I find it... View more

I need to get professional help but am finding the idea of getting help really hard. I have made appointments in the past with a gp wanting to get referral for help and then when i get into the appointment deflect and change why I am there. I find it extremely hard to talk to anyone about how I'm coping mentally and the internal conflicts. I was raised to keep my problems to myself and say " I am fine" even if I'm not because there are others out there that are worse off. Does anyone have any advice to get past this so I can get help?

lela questions about seeing a psychologist
  • replies: 2

hello i'm thinking of seeking therapy for various mental health conditions but i'm immunocompromised and have to take covid precautions. i think i would be really uncomfortable in a traditional therapy setting, as i would have to be wearing my mask t... View more

hello i'm thinking of seeking therapy for various mental health conditions but i'm immunocompromised and have to take covid precautions. i think i would be really uncomfortable in a traditional therapy setting, as i would have to be wearing my mask the whole time and i don't really like doing that much especially as we get into the summer months lol. i have been thinking of solutions and i was wondering if anyone knows: when booking appointments etc. am i allowed to ask my psychologist to like sit in a park with me instead of being in their office or whatever? how likely would they be to say yes? thank you for reading

Deepak_20 Work related stress and trauma
  • replies: 3

Hi all, I'm usually not the kind of guy who speaks out much. But due course of employment at this well engineering firm I have been subjected to heavy stress and trauma inducing work loads, manipulation to undermine my best performance even during th... View more

Hi all, I'm usually not the kind of guy who speaks out much. But due course of employment at this well engineering firm I have been subjected to heavy stress and trauma inducing work loads, manipulation to undermine my best performance even during the worst times. It's not easy being an immigrant from outside Australia but I have went through the phase of education, part time manual labour to full time job in my profession I'm passionate about. I recently joined this firm who are well known in the industry. Even though I was subjected to initial push to prove my skills. I have performed at high level to the heights of the company director being appreciative. With good performance comes competitive co workers who try to undermine me in all settings - work, social gatherings, etc. Particularly one lady who tries the best to ridicule verbally and undermine me the most due to lack of her own ability which she has done repeatedly for employees of different colour and migrant skilled workers. The manager at best hides in his office everytime a scene is about to transpire. The company promotes alcohol indulgence through weekly Friday drinks. Quarterly seasonal drinks. It's all just drinks themed events. It's almost like the upper management just Heard's you like sheeps and cattles to milk your work and steal glory and any good satisfaction at what you performed especially from differently coloured individual at work. If this is the common work culture at all companies. What is the point of working through to achieve our dreams as immigrant. I have recently gained Australian Citizenship. But unfortunately not been able to gain the skin they admire the most at least at work. This has put me under constant stress and anxiety. At this point I'm split between resignation / legal action / mental health diagnosis. Any help and advice is appreciated. Thanks for listening.

JL9 Asking for advice for finding more positive mindsets
  • replies: 2

Hey I’m trying to help myself and my family, I’m a 27 year old man, im booked in with the psychiatrist for diagnosis, and it scares me a tad, I was diagnosed ADD as a kid around 8 years old but my parents chose not to medicate. As an adult I am quick... View more

Hey I’m trying to help myself and my family, I’m a 27 year old man, im booked in with the psychiatrist for diagnosis, and it scares me a tad, I was diagnosed ADD as a kid around 8 years old but my parents chose not to medicate. As an adult I am quick to flight or fight mode and can become irritable when there is too much noise or when there is so many noises I can’t concentrate, heat also makes me irritable. I’ve always struggled with focus, not just on day to day tasks but also my hobbies I’m an amateur at everything and master of none, and I have a bad habit of starting jobs at work and home etc but not finishing them. I overthink everything and am constantly having thoughts through my head and I ruminate so hard I put myself in an irritable mood nearly every day, I developed a marijuana habit I started at 17 and found it made me feel normal for the first time ever so I kept smoking but now I’m 17 and it just doesn’t help as much as it use too, nicotene also helps, I want to get better for my family so I’m trying to get diagnosis to maybe be able to cut back the cannabis and also hopefully ease the rumination so I can be less irritable all the time, so please any advice or what to expect would be appreciated.

ALISHA Anxiety, stress and searching for support
  • replies: 1

I'm trying to find the right support person I'm currently at point in my life were Iv had a realisation that my life has not gone the way I had dreamed they would, I'm being the woman I want to be. And I have not accomplished much, I'm not settled I ... View more

I'm trying to find the right support person I'm currently at point in my life were Iv had a realisation that my life has not gone the way I had dreamed they would, I'm being the woman I want to be. And I have not accomplished much, I'm not settled I dont have my own housing so I'm very unstable. I need therapy and help in trying to find the best solution I want too get this right before it's too late.

1010 Stress & anxiety
  • replies: 3

Hi, this is the first time I ever reached out for help. Feel very vulnerable and alone in this at the moment. I have my first chat with beyond blue in the morning, still unsure if this will help me. I'm basically over thinking and stressing out about... View more

Hi, this is the first time I ever reached out for help. Feel very vulnerable and alone in this at the moment. I have my first chat with beyond blue in the morning, still unsure if this will help me. I'm basically over thinking and stressing out about my business and employees added to the weight of building a new home. Things seem to have gotten on top of me recently