Our Psychological Therapy Services (PTS) provide short-term support to people who have mild to moderate mental health concerns. Under this service, individuals can have up to 10 sessions in a calendar unless otherwise noted below. Therapeutic services available are for community members who identify within the following streams:
- Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander People
- People with Comorbid Alcohol & Other Drugs (AOD) issues: A person must have a co-existing substance use and mental health issue, both of which are clinically and/or socially significant. Please note: the person in the therapy session must not be under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.
- Carers: People who provide personal care, support and assistance to another individual due to disability, medical condition (including terminal or chronic illness), mental illness or are frail and aged. Please note: A person is not eligible if they provide care for payment, as a volunteer for an organisation, or as part of the requirements of a course of education or training.
- Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer Intersex (LGBTQI) people: People who identify as LGBTQI or have concerns in relation to their experience of sexuality or gender.
- Young people: aged 12 -25 years who reside in the Blue Mountains, Hawkesbury or Lithgow LGAs.
- Women with Perinatal mental health issues: Women who are pregnant, or have a child 12 months or younger.
- Children 0-11 years of age
- People at low to moderate risk of suicide or self-harm (SOS): Eligible to receive one referral of up to seven sessions per calendar year. For more information, please see Seek out Support (SOS). Seek out Support (SOS)
- People with complex needs (Extended): People over the age of 25 who experience moderate to severe mental illness with added complexity inclusive of trauma (physical, sexual, emotional), abuse, neglect or a current diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder can receive 49 support hours over a two year period. Please note: Patients accessing Victims of Crime or other equivalent services are not eligible.
- People affected by bushfire or flood: Available to anyone in our region experiencing high levels of distress resulting from the 2019/20 bushfires or 2021/2022 Floods.
- New General stream for people affected by COVID-19: up to six free sessions for anyone with mental health concerns resulting from the impacts of COVID-19, that have not accessed other PTS service streams since 2019. People from rural and remote locations or experiencing locational disadvantage are strongly encouraged to obtain referral as telehealth sessions are available through this stream. No healthcare card is needed.
A person must be assessed and referred by a GP (or in some cases a psychiatrist or paediatrician) to receive Psychological Therapy Services, unless they have been affected by bushfire or flood in which case they can call 1800 595 212 directly without a referral.
Is a Health Care or Pension Card needed?
A health care card is not needed to access Psychological Therapy Services for:
- People impacted by bushfire or flood
- People at risk of suicide or self-harm
- Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people
- People with mental health concerns resulting from the impacts of COVID-19
All other Psychological Therapy Services do require a Centrelink issued pension or healthcare card.
