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.

[blondguy]

Hey Sleepy21

you are so proactive with your health Sleepy....you are strong and there is nothing petty/vain about what you discuss with your doc. Many people dont have the strength you have by talking to your doc

I still have difficulty walking around the block with my dog Prince without having an anxiety attack. My GP has been working with me on this for a while now...Im just happy that I dont have the bad daily anxiety attacks I used to have in my 20's and 30's 🙂

You rock Sleepy! Thankyou heaps too for all the help you provide to so many people doing it hard...Nice1

Happy Friday

Paul

[Guest_1643]

Hi Paul, thank yu so much for sharing those kind words with me

You are right reaching out is important and not petty
I haven't always had the courage and would sometimes get dishearted when I tried to reach out and wasn't met supportively by the GP. It's a good sign I guess that the GP can hear you and care- but if they didn't, I still saw them because I assumed I was at fault. I've become more assertive and proactive, as you noted
You're right that nothing is petty with the GP

Sometimes actually seemingly small or petty concerns have the largest impact on our mental health and should absolutely be talked about for recovery

It's taken me a long time to understand the weight of those words. You have given some amazing insight here, thank you!

[Brino]

Most of the time I don't afford it. Certainly not beyond the government subsidised visits. I just struggle alone or with a little emotional support from friends and family. I'm triggered by greed. I see capitalism as profoundly evil and backward. So the big gap fees charged by some, the sense of entitlement to opulence evident, makes it hard for me. Especially when most of the psychologists I have seen have been little help. And the most expensive one was not the best for me, but neither was the cheapest, who handed me a bunch of print outs from the internet in lieu of communication. Listening and reciting some stuff from their uni text books or the internet is all well and good. But hardly worth what they tend to charge. They may say they spent years at uni in their defense. So did I, four years full time; all I have is a student debt. So I don't have an easy answer for you. A rock and a hard place for the mentally ill in Australia.

[Brino]

Agree. I'm an atheist and believe in tolerating gender and sexuality diversity. I also believe in the veracity of the scientific method and peer review, but in NOT chaplaincy. Churches have no place near the emotionally vulnerable. It is offensive to me to suggest anyone should be forced to Christian "charities" for chaplains or any church funded counseling in lieu of qualified and secular treatment paid for by our government (it's what the government is for in a democracy).

[Guest_1643]

Agreed.

I don't know how ppl succeed at securing quality Mental health care in Australia

It's a jungle out there

i found the est way to get access was through friends

If a friend was seeing a Dr they could get me in.

[Brino]

People come here to feel better? Another space I can't speak freely in. My worldview is so bleak, accurate in my opinion, but bleak. I believe we live in a global capitalist dystopia and revolution is a moral imperative and necessary for human survival. I better not comment any more lol.

[lil_wheelz]

I am in the exact same position 😞 I have seen the same psychiatrist for the last 8 years and always been bulk billed. 7 months ago he moved over seas permanently. I finally an appointment with a new psychiatrist next week after waiting all this time and the appointment cost is $580 and only about $280 or possibly less(can’t remember exactly amount) is eligible for refund via Medicare rebate. I am so stressed for this appointment, because I really need it but I can’t afford even this 1 appointment let alone any further appointments which will undoubtedly be required. I don’t know what to do anymore, it feels hopeless 😞 

[Doolhof]

Hi lil_wheelz,

Goodness me! I have no idea how the average person can afford that kind of money! It is ridiculous how difficult it can be to receive the help we so desperately need. I recently drove 1 1/2 hours one way to see a psychologist. That in itself is a ridiculous scenario. 

I don't recall ever being bulked billed by a psychologist. Trying to find a bulk billing Dr in our region doesn't happen either.

In the past I have phoned Beyond Blue and Life Line for help and support when I am struggling. They can assist to a certain degree. I realise full on connection, support and care from a qualified psychologist would be preferable.

I don't know what the answers are! Hope you find some assistance you can afford! Regards to you from Dools