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funkyzoom Struggling to find suitable profesisonal help
  • replies: 3

First off, I did try to look through the existing forums, but I couldn't find what I was looking for. I have suffered from anxiety and clinical depression for over 2 decades now, and used to manage my condition with therapy and meds. Late last year, ... View more

First off, I did try to look through the existing forums, but I couldn't find what I was looking for. I have suffered from anxiety and clinical depression for over 2 decades now, and used to manage my condition with therapy and meds. Late last year, my regular clinical psychologist went on maternity leave, and I don't know if/when she will be back. Problem is, I am struggling to find a replacement for her. I do have an updated mental healthcare plan from my GP. But no matter who I try to approach, they all say that due to their massive current load, they are booked out for almost a year and are not taking new clients. I have searched extensively on Google and contacted lots of medical centres, but I always get the same answer - that their psychologists are not taking on new clients because they already have plenty. I am specifically looking for a bulk billed clinical psychologist who works on weekends, or after 4pm on weekdays (since I don't have the luxury of taking time off work). I don't mind whether consultations are in person or telephonic. I am struggling professionally and personally, and am nearly at a breaking point, but I am unable to find the help I need to get through this. To make matters worse, most of these receptionists at medical centres I call are quite rude and unprofessional with me, behaving as if it is my fault that my previous therapist went on leave and I am seeking a new one. Any suggestions? I'm quite desperate at this point. I used to have sessions almost once a month, but I have had none for more than 6 months now and I am unable to cope for much longer. Thank you.

romantic_thi3f Explaining the MHCP (Mental Health Care Plan) that we all keep talking about
  • replies: 4

Hi everyone, I've kind of realised that we often recommend getting a MHCP but we don't always explain what they are or what they mean so here is my little crash course for anyone that's confused by that! A MHCP (Mental Health Care Plan) is part of th... View more

Hi everyone, I've kind of realised that we often recommend getting a MHCP but we don't always explain what they are or what they mean so here is my little crash course for anyone that's confused by that! A MHCP (Mental Health Care Plan) is part of the Medicare Better Access initiative which helps people afford psychology sessions. If you want to get one you can get them from the GP and they'll give you one to give to your psychologist. With the MHCP, Medicare pays a gap - so depending on who your psychologist is, they may charge nothing so you get completely bulk-billed or you may have to pay a gap. After you have 6 sessions with your psychologist, you'll need to go back to your GP for a review. Basically they'll print out a new one which allows for another 4 sessions - thats' 10 sessions in total. At the moment that's all we can get per calendar year, but the good news is that they're pushing for so much more. I hope that this helps!

MRivers Some questions about psychologists and counseling
  • replies: 7

1.How many is too many? I have been to 5 different counselors/psychiatrists over the past 10 years or so. The worst of them (who I was able to get a partial Medicare rebate for) seemed to be a narcissist and I stopped seeing after about four sessions... View more

1.How many is too many? I have been to 5 different counselors/psychiatrists over the past 10 years or so. The worst of them (who I was able to get a partial Medicare rebate for) seemed to be a narcissist and I stopped seeing after about four sessions. The best two the most expensive. One of them who would have been my first choice is no longer in practice, the second choice I would be happy to revisit, but I would be limited in the number and frequency of appointments due to the cost. The other two were bulk billed which leads to my next question: 2.Bulk billing psychologists: Do you get what you pay for? The two I saw were not particularly inspiring and hard to connect with. One I found to to be too confrontational and the other seemed to stick to a routine or plan so to speak and continually went over the same ground. 3.Can the (depressed) state of mental health we are in influence our view of the professional's ability, and also distort our expectations of the healing process? I realize there is no silver bullet, and there is a lot of hard work to be done. To be fair 4/5 of the above professionals has given me good advice in one way or another. I have tried to apply these ideas in short bursts but each time I feel I have come out of the hole I seem fall back in. Will there ever be a time when I can climb out and plug the hole for good?

Baileybasil What does my psychologist want me to gain from writing down everything I like?
  • replies: 11

I just had my first session with a new psychologist, she left me with a note on things to work on, one of them being writing down everything I like. My question is, what does she want me to gain from writing this down? I’m not sure what to do afterwa... View more

I just had my first session with a new psychologist, she left me with a note on things to work on, one of them being writing down everything I like. My question is, what does she want me to gain from writing this down? I’m not sure what to do afterwards?

PMilne Feeling worse after visit with psychologist
  • replies: 9

First time in therapy and I came out of the second session feeling so much worse. My therapist told me “It sounds like you want your cake and eat it”, amongst other conclusions of a similar nature they shared with me. I cancelled the remainder of my ... View more

First time in therapy and I came out of the second session feeling so much worse. My therapist told me “It sounds like you want your cake and eat it”, amongst other conclusions of a similar nature they shared with me. I cancelled the remainder of my appointments and don't feel able to go back to therapy but need help with anxiety, low self-esteem and depression. Is this how a therapy session would normally run, and it is common to feel this way after therapy?

stueyb memory problems on medication for anxiety
  • replies: 1

Hi guys and girl, Lately i been really struggling with my memory i been forgetting peoples names , where i am , trouble concentrating on anything , not enjoying the things i used to love , forgetting what im doing , depressed and even more anxious th... View more

Hi guys and girl, Lately i been really struggling with my memory i been forgetting peoples names , where i am , trouble concentrating on anything , not enjoying the things i used to love , forgetting what im doing , depressed and even more anxious than before. Im really worried that i could be dealing with early onset alzheimer's disease im only 32 (33 this year) so im hoping thats im too early in life to get that. I've been on medication for years now for my anxiety so im hoping that other people on here have had the same problem to put my mind a little at ease.

kayla_lou Help with adult ADHD and Bipolar
  • replies: 2

Hi, I was diagnosed with ADHD and Bipolar 1 early to mid 2020. I have been taking medication which has absolutely changed my life, but I feel like I really need to just talk to someone about my issues. Anyone with ADHD and/or Bipolar will understand ... View more

Hi, I was diagnosed with ADHD and Bipolar 1 early to mid 2020. I have been taking medication which has absolutely changed my life, but I feel like I really need to just talk to someone about my issues. Anyone with ADHD and/or Bipolar will understand what I mean when I say the need to talk is like word vomit - you feel like if you don't let it out, you will explode. I don't want to waste anyone's time by talking to someone who is there to help people in a crisis, because I'm not depressed or anything more severe then that, I'm just struggling with issues from these conditions like self esteem, bad behaviours like negative thoughts about self worth etc. I also have a binge eating disorder which just makes everything feel so much more unmanageable for my already crowded brain. So here I am rambling as I often do, but basically my situation is: I need to talk to someone who is genuinely interested in my life story, someone who will give me strategies to cope with the issues ADHD and Bipolar have created for me from a very young age, someone who won't just google the answers as I've already done all that in desperate attempts to help myself. I still feel like I can't even find the words to express what I feel like I need, and I have absolutely no idea where to start. My GP sent me to a psychologist, which is why I'm looking for maybe an alternative. Reason being, without even working out what my issues were stemming from, she just focused on my eating problem. When I tried to talk about WHY this was happening, I was told that there's not enough time in the sessions, and I should just do these things and they will help. Obviously that did not work. I already have to fork out upwards of $400 on psychiatrists for my medication scripts, I'll definitely struggle to afford another $200+ for another service which may not be what I need. First things first is I want someone to tell me what to do. Everywhere I look the answer is 'See your GP', all the GPs I've seen seem to not take me seriously, and to be honest I don't really want to go back to one, just out of embarrassment. Welcome to my wandering, leaping, incoherent, frustrating 25 year old brain. I apologise in advance for the novel. HELP.

Jesse Y Getting help for bipolar/ depresssion
  • replies: 5

Howdy everyone so basically I was diagnosed with ADD at 19 and ever since being put on medication I have experienced bouts of depression, social anxiety and addiction. I’m now 28 and have tried so many different techniques for helping my depression b... View more

Howdy everyone so basically I was diagnosed with ADD at 19 and ever since being put on medication I have experienced bouts of depression, social anxiety and addiction. I’m now 28 and have tried so many different techniques for helping my depression but I have been told by my psychiatrist that I most likely have bipolar. Does anyone have some good techniques or podcasts that will definitely help reduce the affect of my depression and Bipolar symptoms? Any help would be absolutely wonderful. I hope everyone is doing well. Much love

Anzee Finding safety within
  • replies: 7

Hi all, So I have PTSD, severe anxiety, and right now my symptoms are chronic as I have recently escaped an abusive relationship of over 10 years and am still dealing with the aftermath and fall out from that as we share 2 children together but he ha... View more

Hi all, So I have PTSD, severe anxiety, and right now my symptoms are chronic as I have recently escaped an abusive relationship of over 10 years and am still dealing with the aftermath and fall out from that as we share 2 children together but he has not had any form of contact with his two daughters since January as it was the safest way to leave as he is very very manipulative and would have scared them into wanting to go home. I experienced a lot of trauma as a child including SA, have been in unsafe and abusive relationships ever since. I have been working as hard as I can (whilst having 100% care of two daughters and being in and out of crisis accommodation, refuge and homelessness) with my therapist on trying to find a safe place ANYWHERE in my mind and body but have not yet been successful. We’ve even tried rewording ‘safe place’ as we wondered if it was too triggering but I still cannot find any place in my body or imagination where I feel safe, nowhere at all. The closest I can get to is sleeping! The thought of sleeping makes me feel comfortable enough to possibly feel safety, but in saying that my nightmares are so intense right now, and flashbacks, I’m just been flooded with all types of memories and feelings and I just want to have a break, I want to find a place in my mind where I can have a time out and feel somewhat calm and relaxed. Has anyone else out there had trouble finding a place inside yourself you could feel safety/ comfort/ calm?? What helped you access this place?? I really want to be able to have that space I can go to when things are feeling too overwhelming and too much. I’ve tried meditating but that caused chronic flashbacks as I guess I try to keep my mind busy at all times subconsciously, so when I give my mind a chance to relax, memories and thoughts I’ve been actively trying to block out flood in. Any similar experiences very much welcome.

H-c Finally taking a step but I’m scared
  • replies: 16

So long story short I’m going to the gp to talk about my mental health and I’m so scared. In a way a part of me feels relieved that I’m getting help but a big part of me don’t want to go. So many what if’s and so many things that could go wrong. Anot... View more

So long story short I’m going to the gp to talk about my mental health and I’m so scared. In a way a part of me feels relieved that I’m getting help but a big part of me don’t want to go. So many what if’s and so many things that could go wrong. Another thing is there will be someone that’s going to be right there during the appointment so I can’t really say I want to. What if I finally get help and i get told there are a ton of things wrong with me.(I’m not making sense but what I’m trying to say is what if i already know somewhere deep inside me I need help for ONE thing but after talking to the doctor I get told there are multiple things wrong with me?). To be honest I’m split, I don’t wanna go but i know I need to. What if I feel even more worse after the appointment? I don’t know what to do.. I’ve already had bad past experience with my previous gp, and I’m really scared it’s going to be a repeat of that whole experience. Them telling me that there’s nothing physically wrong with me and I should just “relax and exercise”

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