Psychologists

[DefiantPanda]

Hi, I'm unemployed and I used up six sessions referred to me by my GP to see a psychologist. Unfortunately I didn't really gel with that psychologist... Partially because it was more about CBT and I believe I need to talk about my issues rather than do CBT again. So I want to find another one and really give therapy a go, as  in, keep attending until I actually start to see improvements. And actually build rapport with someone I can really trust. So I wanted to know what it might cost me but the website is a bit unclear. Say I had to pay a psychologist fee of $120 a session... Would I get any of that back on a medicare rebate without a mental health plan from a GP? And if not what if I signed up for private health insurance? I've had issues for years and I really want to try to get better but six sessions just isn't going to do it for me so I need to figure something out.

[Maureen]

Hello defiant panda, I too have found I'm not gelling with psychologists. I was able to get an additional 4 sessions on a mental health plan to keep trying to find one I could talk to, by requesting it from my GP.

Not sure when your mental health plan kicked off, but you initially get 6 sessions per year, then the additional 4 if required, in that same year. You then get your GP to create a new plan in the next year.

Without a mental health plan in place Medicare doesn't provide any rebate on a psychologist. Private health will provide a rebate if your doc refers you to a psychologist. The amount is dependent upon which fund you're with. It is usually less than rebate from Medicare on mental health plan.

I hope this helped

Maureen

[hope4joy]

Hi DefiantPanda,

Maureen is correct, you can go back to your GP and get an additional 4 sessions with another psychologist but it seems 4 sessions is not enough for what you are wanting? 

Another option that I do is to see a psychiatrist for therapy. Medicare allows way more sessions per year - something like 50 i think, and last year that number got extended by my psychiatrist - so about 50+ sessions with the rebate. The trick is to find a psychiatrist who is into therapy (rather than simply meds) and who bulk bills or who only has a small gap ($20-$30 or so) to make it affordable. This isn't always easy. I rang around about 70 psychiatrists in my city to locate about 5 who were open to bulk billing, and then of these only one was a suitable (female and could see me weekly and was taking on new patients). 

Kind Wishes, Christina 

[DefiantPanda]

Oh wow okay... Doesn't leave many options, does it? Maybe I can win the lottery... I did talk to the GP about a psychiatrist and all she said was that they cost a lot. Maybe I'll study uni online and study psychotherapy myself.

[blondguy]

Hey Defiant

Hope4joy was just trying to be kind to you ....give Christina a break....she is doing her best and has a lot to offer here...same as you...and no you dont have to win the lottery either..

* Stop 'fighting' yourself...it only adds more fuel to the fire...

* If you can...find a GP that you are comfortable with and start again...no pain no gain...you might even get along with a GP enough so you can vent through them....

* You are not an apprentice Defiant....you are smarter than that....please dont beat yourself up so much 🙂

Kind Thoughts

Paul

[romantic_thi3f]

Hi DefiantPanda,

Sorry you haven't found your psychologist helpful and I know it's frustrating with the limitations on Mental Health care plans and referrals, so here's my two cents!

1) Talk to your psychologist about what you feel that you need.  The psychologist is there to help you.  They might be doing CBT if they feel it's necessary (such as if you're talking about feeling worthless, down on yourself, etc) so feel free to ask questions and challenge them. 

2) If you are still wanting to change and have tried talking to your psychologist, consider the four sessions.  If you're wanting to talk to someone the sessions are spaced out monthly so that it gives you time to process and work through it.  Even though it doesn't seem like a lot, when you are going through heavy therapy I know I personally wouldn't want to be seeing someone quicker.

3) Consider alternative options.  A lot of communities have social workers, mental health support workers and/or mental health nurses.  They still have a good background in mental health and can help either fill the void between gaps or link into other services.  Depending on your situation (how long you've been unemployed, whether you are interested in studying etc), they might be able to help link in with other agencies to help you better manage what you are going through.  There are also support groups and mental health agencies that are Government funded that can help.

Hope this helps a little,

Take care,