How do you all afford psychology/psychiatry sessions?

[MisterM]

I know there are 10 sessions covered under Medicare where you only pay a smaller fee but every time I have been the 10 sessions run out so fast. I am unemployed, even recently working casual I wasn't earning much. How do some of you people afford to go weekly/fortnightly. When I was working full time I was going every week/fortnight and spent over $3,000 in a year on seeing my psychologist. It's just too damn expensive, how can sessions cost $200 approx per 50 mins, what justifies such a high fee?
I don't get it.

[Guest_1643]

Hi Mara - I am stunned and so warmed by your reply!! I had just found that information today and was very interested in it!!

I think it is a sign of progress and I hope they will see fit to offer the same support for other mental health problems.

[Guest_1643]

Today I encountered a therapist I'm considering seeing. I told her I'm not working yet and still in recovery from suicidality. She said that given that, and just generally with covid, she is bulk billing clients. "It's about helping people, isn't it?" she said.

This may be a stupid question, but does anyone know why more psychologists aren't doing this?
They still profit and are paid, altohugh just less, with the bulk-billing system, and with the whole economy in dysfunction now, it makes sense to offer bulk-billed sessions.

I'm confused why bulk-billing pyschologists are so hard to find. Is it just a matter of greed? Again, don't meet to offend anyone, just generally confused why the system is so prohibative to those who don't have the means - and at this time during COVID, that's more and more people every single day

[Mara56]

Hi Sleepy 21,

I so hope that the politicians start to get serious about addressing Mental Health. The one single thing they could do that would improve the access to appropriate psychological care is to increase the number of sessions on a Mental Health Plan. I personally think that if a GP and a psychologist recommend extra treatment then it should be available on the MHP. I do get fired up about these things. Lol. Mind I honestly don't think anything will change unless people lobby for it.

Is the therapist you saw a psychologist? My understanding is they can only bulk bill the number of sessions of the MHP. Once they are used that's it. If they were only to charge the amount a private health fund rebated it wouldn't be enough to cover their costs. My thing is if you break an arm, then any treatment you need is covered by Medicare except physio of course. Why isn't Psychology covered? Sorry very frustrated with it ATM.

The psychologists are hamstrung by the limits of the MHP. There are other services such as Anglicare etc. And they do provide a good service. However, I know for myself, given the complexity of the sustained and severe trauma I've experienced, they were limited in their ability to assist me.

I hope that you connect with this new therapist Sleepy 21 and that she is able to help you.

Hope you're managing to stay warm.

Love

Mara

[Guest_1643]

Hi Mara

Totally understand you! It is frustrating and exhausting navigating this sytem.
Yes, the therapist I spoke to was a psychologist - she seems willing to bulk bill me so I pay nothing out of pocket... confusing - the other therapist I saw this year reduced his fees for me, so it was now only 150 out of pocket lol. Of course I felt like this sounded good but it's all still heavily weighing on my finances.

The words you wrote regarding physical health are so true - which makes it even sadder, no one should have to "fight" for mental health help.

Without support like this forum and Beyond Blue, I'd probably have given up lol, all the rejections and twists and turns in this pathetic mental health system.

That said, i recently had a stay in a public recovery centre for mental health and had the best care I've ever experiened in my recovery journey. There are some dedicated individuals out there who choose to work in the public health system because they care.

In the private system it's very hit and miss to find genuine individuals who will work with a person within their budget and needs, and offer care. i hope for us to all find the angels amongst the not-so-good ones!

[Mara56]

Hi Sleepy 21,

I totally agree with everything you have said re: the mental health system. I am so tired of fighting. When the Govt announced a few weeks back that it was increasing funding to mental health, I nearly burst out in tears when I found out where the funding was being directed. Whilst I don't begrudge the services that received that fund, I firmly believe that if the Govt were truly sincere regarding supporting mental health services then they would increase the number of sessions available on a mental health plan.

I was all fired up early in the week, ready to send a letter to a whole pile of politicians. Unfortunately I mentioned it to my son. He suffers with mental health issues too and tends to lean towards the negative. His response left me quite depressed. Needless to say I haven't forwarded the letter yet. That said, I am building up to it. It's a huge thing for me to expose myself in that way. And I suppose it's another level of accepting that I need help, something I have always struggled with.

I am glad you have found a therapist who will bulk bill. At least that takes the pressure off for you for a little while.

I'm also glad you found the forum and Beyond Blue. Your contribution is really valued by me.

Pleased to hear you received good care in a public recovery centre. It's good to know that there are some services out there that provide good care.

You are right about the private system. I went through 14 therapists before I found someone who I could work with and who had the experience and knowledge to deal with the complexity of my PTSD. I'm worried at the minute because he's not getting any younger and I keep worrying that he's either going to retire or die on me. Lol. You can see where my son gets his negativity from. Lol.

Well I'll leave it there. I haven't been online for a few days and I have a heap of messages to respond to.

Take care Sleepy 21.

Cheers

Mara

[blondguy]

Hi Everyone!

Hey Sleepy21

You mentioned an excellent point "I'm not so enthusiastic about GPS who talk down to patients, compassion is key" Fair enough too Sleepy21..I am fortunate that I have only had a couple of GP's that were patronising since I started having treatment in 1983 when I was 23

Some people that have a mental illness dont open up and discuss their inner feelings still expect a 'quick fix' from their doc/therapist. This is where I screwed up. Doing so makes even partial recovery difficult to achieve*

my kind thoughts....Paul

* re mid to high level anxiety disorder that has a negative impact on our ability to function effectively on a day to day basis

[Guest_1643]

Hi Paul,

I don't want to get to political here (please don't boot me off the forum) but do you think it may be an issue of sexism etc-
When I first had a mental health disorder I was a very skin (barely eating) girl of 20. I saw a lot of older doctors who talked down to me. It happened until I was 30.
I prefer now to see doctors who are actively getting training for new issues, generally are a little bit yonger (not to be agist but some do unfortunately cease upskilling and find it harder to relate to youth) and also those who seem very down to earth, then it feels like we are figuring out the problem together, sharing notes from the jounrey and working collaboratively on my mental health. For me this approach has helped empower me to be active in my recovery. I made the same mistake of thinking a doctor could fix me. I understand whta you mean there and it's a common issues I think.

[Guest_1643]

Hi Paul, just wanted to say of course I really appreciate your points and ideas. I'm so grateful you got good help. Just venting a little becaus for me the journey was not so pleasant, I had a few condescending GPS who talked down to me. All were 50 + years older than me and seemed to think my problems didn't matter. I'm grateful that the mental health system is starting to tap into the ideas of client-centred support and also a patient having choices - rather than a gp saying you should do this - I can sometimes initiate the convo with my gp about what i'm interested in trying, or disagree with his provided suggestions... it's healthier for me. I'm so glad that you've seen some good gps though, that would've been very supportive

[blondguy]

Hey Sleepy21!

no worries at all...your situation was/is totally different to mine and to have a patronising GP is not what we want for sure....no matter what our level of anxiety is. Absolutely Sleepy21 🙂

I posted above for people like myself that didnt share our 'real problems'....my dad physically abusing me etc

I was 'withholding' important background about my pain.....which didnt do my recovery any favors at all

My female GP is dynamite for diagnosing me in the first place.....and my current doc is a guy who I see every 4-6 weeks for a 'fine tune'

Your input and support is wonderful to have on the forums Sleepy21....Nice1 🙂

my kind thoughts

Paul

[Guest_1643]

Hi Paul I really appreciated your share

Thanks for telling me about your journey in learning to open up to the GP

The combination of being truthful + a caring gp is the real win. Sometimes though being truthful is hard if the GP isn't going to believe etc...
Lately I revealed an issue that I've been struggling to reveal because of shame (and seeming pettiness/vain) - related to body image. My GP and I are now finding solutions for it. Can't tell you what a huge weight off my shoulders to be heard and also to be offered solutions. Amazing.

Your posts here are helping me consider my way forward and get the best help. Thanks as always for listening and accepting me as I am, een though my last post was a little intense!