Find a mental health professional
Figuring out who to see to support your mental health can be hard – a psychologist, counsellor, psychiatrist or someone else? Often the best place to start is talking to your GP.
On this page we explain what different mental health professionals do and how to find mental health services near you.
What are mental health professional services?
A mental health professional is an expert in conditions like anxiety and depression. They can help you prevent, treat and manage these conditions.
Finding the right professional for you
Some people may need help from one mental health professional. Others may see several professionals for different treatments. Many mental health support services offer online therapy as well as face-to-face appointments.
It’s important to find someone you feel comfortable with. While some people find a practitioner and treatment that works for them first time, for others it can take a few tries. The main thing is to persevere – try not to let one bad experience put you off getting support.
General Practitioners / doctors (GPs)
Going to the doctor for mental health is often the best starting point for someone seeking professional help.
A GP can:
- diagnose anxiety, depression and other mental health conditions
- talk to you about treatment options and prescribe medication
- refer you to another mental health professional such as a psychiatrist
- write a mental health treatment plan so you can get Medicare rebates.
Finding a GP
It’s best to go to your regular GP. If you don’t have a GP you can find one near you using healthdirect's National Health Services Directory.
Planning your first appointment
To make sure you’ve got plenty of time to talk without feeling rushed:
When you book – ask for a longer or double appointment to talk about depression or anxiety.
Before your appointment - prepare some questions to ask your health professional
At your appointment - talk about your mental health concerns at the start of the appointment.
You and your GP may decide to have follow up appointments to check on your progress.
Psychologists
Psychologists diagnose and treat mental health conditions.
Treatments may include:
cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) – changing the way you think (cognitive) and act (behavioural).
problem-solving therapy – learning to manage everyday difficulties.
interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) – improving relationships to improve your mental health.
mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) – group-based mindfulness meditation to avoid negative thoughts and feelings.
Finding a psychologist
You don't need a referral from a GP to see a psychologist, but you will need a referral to claim a Medicare rebate.
You can also search for your own psychologist and request a referral to a particular person from your GP. To find a qualified psychologist near you use the Australian Psychological Society’s directory.
Rebates
Medicare rebates are available for individual or group sessions with psychologists. You'll need a mental health treatment plan (a referral) from a GP to claim rebates from Medicare.
If you have private health insurance and extras cover, you may be able to claim part of a psychologist's fee. Contact your health fund to check.
The Australian Psychological Society has more information about costs and rebates: How much does seeing a psychologist cost?
Counsellors and psychotherapists
Counsellors and psychotherapists support people with mental health conditions. They can also help with other difficulties like relationships, grief or addiction. Treatments can include:
cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) – changing the way you think (cognitive) and act (behavioural).
acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) – stop overthinking by learning to notice and accept negative thoughts and reactions.
interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) - improving relationships to improve your mental health.
mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) - group-based mindfulness meditation to avoid negative thoughts and feelings.
Finding a counsellor or psychotherapist
You don’t need a referral to see a counsellor or psychotherapist. Medicare rebates aren’t available.
To find a qualified counsellor or psychotherapist near you use the:
Rebates
If you have private health insurance and extras cover, you may be able to claim part of the fee. Contact your health fund to check.
Mental health coaches
Beyond Blue’s NewAccess program connects you with a trained mental health coach near you. You'll get 6 free, confidential sessions.
Most sessions are held on the telephone or video call. Some services offer face-to-face sessions
Who it's for
NewAccess is for anyone feeling stressed or overwhelmed about everyday life issues. If you’re having difficulties with work, study, relationships, health or loneliness, NewAccess may be right for you.
We also offer a specialist stream for small business owners.
NewAccess isn't right for you if you’re:
currently seeing a psychologist or psychiatrist
dealing with severe or complex difficulties.
Find out more:
Psychiatrists
Psychiatric doctors (psychiatrists) are doctors who specialise in diagnosing and treating mental health conditions. They can make medical and psychiatric assessments and also prescribe medication.
They often use psychological treatments such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and interpersonal therapy (IPT).
A GP may refer you to a psychiatrist if your anxiety or depression:
is more severe
is associated with a high risk of self-harm or suicide
continues for a long time, or continues to come back
hasn’t responded to treatment.
Finding a psychiatrist
You'll need a referral from a GP to see a psychiatrist and to claim rebates through Medicare.
To find a psychiatrist near you, you can:
ask your GP
use the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists' directory (this is an opt-in directory which may not list all psychiatrists in Australia).
Accredited mental health social workers
Accredited Mental Health Social Workers can treat mental health conditions. This includes anxiety and depression.
Treatments include:
cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) – changing the way you think (cognitive) and act (behavioural).
interpersonal therapy (IPT) - improving relationships to improve your mental health.
training for relaxation and interpersonal skills
You don’t need a referral to see an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker, but you’ll need a referral to claim a Medicare rebate.
To find an Accredited Mental Health Social Workers near you use the Australian Association of Social Workers directory.
Mental health occupational therapists
Mental health occupational therapists help people with anxiety and depression take part in everyday activities. They give support for:
self-care – such as showering, dressing or preparing food
getting back to work – such as education, paid work or volunteering
connecting with others – such as making friends or joining a community group.
You don’t need a referral to see a mental health occupational therapist, but you’ll need a referral from a GP to get a Medicare rebate.
To find a qualified occupational therapist near you use Occupational Therapy Australia’s directory.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers understand the health issues of First Nations Peoples. They know what’s needed to provide culturally safe and accessible services.
Support can include:
screening, assessment, referrals and case management
transport to and attendance at specialist appointments
education and advocacy
counselling and support for family and acute distress response.
Find support near you at Helpful contacts and websites for First Nations Peoples.
Crisis Assessment or Acute Treatment teams
Crisis Assessment or Acute Treatment teams provide emergency psychiatric care in the community. They're sometimes called CAT teams.
If you’re experiencing a crisis, you can be assessed and treated in the community. However, if you’re a potential danger to yourself or others, you’ll be admitted to hospital.
You can contact a CAT team by calling the local hospital or community mental health services.
How much does it cost to see a mental health professional?
Medicare rebates
private health insurance rebates
NDIS budget.
Medicare rebates for mental health support services
Medicare rebates are available to people with a diagnosed mental health condition such as anxiety or depression.
You may still need to pay a ‘gap’ fee. This is the difference between the health professional’s fee and the Medicare rebate.
The first step is to get a mental health treatment plan from your GP. Find out more about Medicare rebates with the Department of Health’s Better Access initiative.
Private health insurance rebate
Many private health insurers offer rebates for mental health services and medical treatment. Check with your health insurance provider to see if you’re covered.
NDIS
You may be able to use the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) funding for mental health support. Find out more on the NDIS website.
Related information
- Get free mental health support - information about Beyond Blue’s support services
- Check your mental health – use one of our simple tools to assess your mental health. Choose the one that’s right for you and get the resources and support you may need.
