October is Mental Health Month in New South Wales, and World Mental Health Day falls on 10 October. It is a natural prompt to deal with something many people in Liverpool have been putting off: getting practical, affordable support for how they have been feeling. If you have ever wondered how to start seeing a psychologist without paying a full private fee, the usual first step is a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan.
This is a practical how-to rather than a general guide to wellbeing. It explains what the plan is, what happens at the first appointment, how the Medicare-subsidised psychology sessions work, and how to arrange one with a GP at Trinity Healthcare Centre.
What is a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan?
A GP Mental Health Treatment Plan (sometimes called a mental health care plan) is a structured plan your GP prepares with you when you are assessed as having a diagnosed mental health condition, such as anxiety or depression. It records what you are experiencing, the goals you want to work towards, the support that will help, and what to do if things get worse.
The plan is also the key that unlocks Medicare rebates for sessions with a psychologist or other eligible mental health professional under the Australian Government Better Access initiative. Under Better Access, eligible patients can claim a Medicare benefit for up to 10 individual and 10 group therapy sessions each calendar year (1 January to 31 December) once they have a plan and a referral. You can read more about our mental health services and care plans.
How to get a Mental Health Treatment Plan in Liverpool
1. Book a longer appointment
When you book, tell reception you would like to talk about your mental health and ask for a longer consultation. These conversations take time, and a short standard appointment is rarely enough to listen properly and prepare a plan. You can book online or by phone.
2. What the first appointment involves
Your GP will ask how you have been feeling, how long it has been going on, and how it is affecting your sleep, work, study and relationships. You may be asked to fill in a short questionnaire. There is no right or wrong way to answer; honest answers simply help your GP understand what is going on. If a diagnosis is appropriate, your GP works through the plan with you there and then: your goals, the strategies that may help, who will be involved in your care, and a plan for difficult days.
3. Your referral and subsidised sessions
If seeing a psychologist is part of the plan, your GP writes a referral. Referrals are generally made in blocks of up to six sessions at a time. After the first block, your GP reviews how you are going before referring you for further sessions, up to the yearly maximum.
4. Reviews
A review appointment lets your GP check your progress and consider the written feedback from your psychologist before deciding on next steps. A review is usually done after your initial sessions, and not within four weeks of the plan being prepared; most people have no more than two reviews in a calendar year. Your plan does not expire, and a new one is generally not needed within 12 months unless your situation changes significantly.
Seeing a psychologist on site at Trinity
At Trinity Healthcare Centre, registered psychologist Mrs Wesam Tadros consults on site. Having your GP and psychologist in the same practice means your referral can stay in-house and your GP can follow up easily at your review. If you would prefer to see a psychologist elsewhere, that is fine too, and your plan can be used with any eligible provider. You can find out more on our psychologist page.
What this looks like at Trinity Healthcare Centre
Trinity Healthcare Centre is an AGPAL-accredited general practice at 157-161 George St, Liverpool. Owner and principal GP Dr Bilagia Tadros and the wider GP team prepare Mental Health Treatment Plans and care plans as part of everyday practice.
- Most standard GP consultations are bulk billed for patients with a valid Medicare card, including health assessments, care plans and routine follow-ups.
- Plan reviews are part of the same bulk-billed care for eligible patients.
- On-site psychology means fewer handovers between providers.
- We are open Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm and Saturday 8am to 1pm.
See your GP sooner if…
Do not wait for a scheduled review if:
- your mood, anxiety or sleep is getting worse
- you are relying on alcohol or other drugs to cope
- you are finding it hard to work, study or care for others
- the strategies you have been using are no longer helping
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 000. For 24-hour crisis support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. For health advice at any hour, you can call healthdirect on 1800 022 222.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a Mental Health Treatment Plan to see a psychologist?
No. You can see a psychologist privately without one. A plan is what makes you eligible for a Medicare rebate on a set number of sessions each calendar year, which lowers the cost.
How many Medicare-subsidised sessions can I get?
Under the Better Access initiative, eligible patients can claim a Medicare benefit for up to 10 individual sessions each calendar year, arranged through your GP in blocks with a review in between.
How long does the first appointment take?
Longer than a standard consultation. Ask reception for an extended appointment when you book so your GP has time to listen and prepare the plan with you.
Will the appointment be bulk billed?
At Trinity Healthcare Centre, most standard GP consultations, health assessments and care plans are bulk billed for patients with a valid Medicare card. Reception will always let you know before any charge applies.
Book with a Liverpool GP
If this is the year you want to put proper support in place, a GP at Trinity Healthcare Centre can help you take the first step. Book online through HealthEngine on our online booking page or call (02) 9822 7107.
