Telehealth or similar psychology for someone in a capital city

[BipolarKitten]

Hi all,

Not sure where to ask this so I hope it's okay that I've popped it in here


I have agoraphobia and bipolar disorder and my current clinic psych has gone on maternity leave and left me with someone who isn't prepared to have sessions over the phone like I was previously having.
Just wondering if there's a directory around with the names of psychs that will do phone or video conferencing to someone non rural. If there isn't, is it best to just start calling practices and asking? It needs to be covered by a Medicare rebate too.

Thanks all!

[Sophie_M]

Hi BipolarKitten,

We appreciate you sharing here. As our community is unable to refer you to specific supports within your community over the forums (in order to protect your online anonymity) we’d encourage check out our ‘find a professional’ page on our website where you can search for suitable health professionals in your area: https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/find-a-professional
 
Feel free to also chat with one of our professional mental health counsellors at our Support Service who can help with counselling support, information and referrals - available 24/7  on 1300 22 4636 or visit  www.beyondblue.org.au/getsupport  for online chat (3pm-12am AEST) & email (responses within 24 hours).
 
See you around the forums!

[Guest_4643]

Hi BipolarKitten, welcome to the forums.

I see my Psychiatrist through Telehealth, however I'm in regional Victoria and don't have any Psychologists around that bulk bill, take new patients and will accept me aswell as other mental health facilities (had a traumatic experience at the Headspace centre but maybe it might be helpful to you if you're 12-25). I'm not sure if they'd do it for capital cities, I think it's only places that are regional with no access to professionals around.

However my advice would be doing a Google search to see if you're eligible, otherwise seeing if there's any you can see face to face because that may be better.

Best of luck, take care.

Tayla

[Guest_1643]

Hello there! Beyond Blue phone counsellors might also have some links to professionals, they have given me referals before. Maybe you could call clinics with many therapists, if there are any like that in your area? As there would be more chance that one of the psychs may be willing to help... A lot of mental health practioners I've found over this time are still offering services... so holding hope that you might be able to find someone. Good luck!

[Guest_4643]

Can you please tell me about the referrals from here Sleepy? I never knew websites like that did referrals. Thanks.

[Guest_1643]

Hey there! sure thing, the Beyond Blue phone line has professional psychologists or similar and they have info about mental health services and social services. I received about 5 different referalls from them that panned out. They also can look up info about psychologists in your area, (which we can also do online) but they sometimes have some extra insights/advice about what to look for. One BB counsellor gave me some links to individual pyschologists in my area who worked using the types of therapy I find helpful. Does this help, or too general? x

[Guest_4643]

Ah interesting, and yes it does help, thanks Sleepy. Unfortunately no Psychologists will take new patients let alone me and bulk bill, sigh. But thank you. The ones I've seen on the place that i speak to my Psychiatrist with weren't the best but thats just my opinion.

[Guest_1643]

Yes, it is very hard to find a good one. I feel like now it is similar to looking for a therapist around new years period - i was doing that and called so many who were all shut down. Probably very similar with less working etc. Hard not to get discouraged. BB also advised me that there are universities who have trainee psychologists who you can see for about 10 dollars a session, but I didn't want to do that....

[Guest_4643]

Sorry I meant to say no Psychologists near me, didn't realise, oops.

That's true, good point. And wow that sounds really sketchy about the $10 a session, I personally would rather pay or have Medicare pay for it for good qualified people, am i right? But good on those Uni people regardless, at least they're trying.