Why seek mental health counselling?
Mental health counselling is a process of talking about and working through your personal problems with a mental health practitioner. The practitioner can help you to deal with the problems effectively and gain a greater understanding of yourself, your behaviours and thinking patterns, and enhance your sense of wellbeing. For some people, just the process of telling their story and being listened to, is helpful.
Better Place Australia mental health counselling is flexible. You can schedule appointments to suit your routine, lifestyle and needs.
You can also access other Better Place Australia support services, such as:
Who uses mental health counselling?
Anyone who is struggling with a personal concern can seek mental health counselling. No issue is too big or too small to ask for support. Many people seek counselling for any number of reasons throughout their life.
These can include:
- depression
- anxiety
- stress management
- self esteem
- relationship issues
- major life transitions
- grief and loss
- bullying
- referrals to specialist support such as alcohol and other drug services, gambling support and family violence services.
Our team
We have a team of experienced and fully qualified psychologists. When you call and speak to our intake team, you can discuss what your needs are and we can match you with the most appropriate psychologist for you.
How does it all work?
The first step is to consult your GP, psychiatrist or paediatrician to discuss obtaining a mental health care plan and a referral. This plan makes you eligible to have up to 10 rebated individual sessions with a mental health professional each calendar year through Medicare. Once you have your plan, contact our intake team to schedule an appointment with one of our psychologists.Â
In your sessions (50 minutes long), the psychologist will work with you to explore any challenges you’re facing and help you develop coping strategies and skills. The goal is to support you in making positive changes in your life. Â
Important: A referral and mental health care plan from your GP must be in place before your first session to receive a Medicare rebate. Medicare does not provide rebates for plans dated after the appointment.Â
How to meet the Medicare (MBS) guidelines for a mental health care/treatment plan referral
- Client’s name, date of birth and address
- Client’s diagnosis or symptoms
- Confirmation statement that a mental health care plan has been created
- Signed and dated by the GP (can be digital)
- GP’s name, the practice address and provider number
- Ideally the referral should specify the number of sessions the patient is being referred for or the words ‘the course of the treatment’.
A client/patient is eligible for up to 10 Medicare rebated individual mental health counselling sessions per calendar year. The initial course of treatment is a maximum of six sessions.
GPs can also find further information on GP mental health care plan items here.
What won’t our practitioners do?
Our counsellors won’t:
- give advice
- be judgemental
- diagnose mental illness or prescribe medication (only doctors can do that).
Is counselling confidential?
Yes. Any notes taken are kept secure. Nothing discussed will be revealed unless permission has been given. There are some circumstances under which confidentiality is limited or revoked due to legal or safety concerns.
What are the fees for mental health counselling in Melbourne?
A mental health care plan is required from your GP to access Medicare funded mental health counselling. Better Place Australia charges a low cost out of pocket amount starting at $20 for concession (on a sliding scale). Counselling can also be accessed without a mental health care plan for $150 per session.Â
Fact sheet
Services Areas
Counselling near BeaconsfieldCounselling near BeaumarisCounselling near BentleighCounselling near BerwickCounselling near BroadmeadowsCounselling near CheltenhamCounselling near ClarindaCounselling near CranbourneCounselling near Dingley VillageCounselling near Endeavour HillsCounselling near FawknerCounselling near HallamCounselling near HamptonCounselling near Hampton ParkCounselling near HeathertonCounselling near HighettCounselling near MentoneCounselling near MoorabbinCounselling near Narre WarrenCounselling near ParkdaleCounselling near Sandringham
Find out more about this service
Make an enquiryThis service is available at these locations
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Please make an enquiry if you would like to book an appointment for one of our services. Alternatively, you can live chat with us during business hours.
