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 8 free sessions in a calendar year 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: People aged 12 -25 years across the region.
- 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 disaster: Available to anyone in our region experiencing high levels of distress resulting from the 2019/20 bushfires, 2021/2022/2023/2024 floods or Bondi Junction tragedy 2024.
- General stream: As of July 1 2024, people that are unable to access mental health support due to financial hardship or cost of living pressures can be referred for up to 8 sessions under the PTS General stream. Individuals must not have accessed any other PTS streams since 1 January 2023. 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 experiencing financial hardship or cost of living pressures referred under the PTS General stream
All other Psychological Therapy Services do require a Centrelink issued pension or healthcare card.
