You don’t need a referral to see a psychologist in Australia - you can either pay the full-fee yourself or, depending on your coverage, part of the fee may be covered by your health insurance.

Many people find that a more affordable way of accessing a psychologist is to obtain a Mental Health Treatment Plan, as Medicare rebates a substantial part of each session for up to 10 sessions a year.

The process of obtaining a Mental Health Treatment Plan can feel overwhelming, particularly if you are experiencing distress or in a difficult situation. The following steps are designed to help you through this process - please follow them as best you can:

1. Book a long, 20 minute appointment with a General Practitioner (GP), preferably a GP you can have ongoing contact with.

2. At your appointment, let your GP know how you are feeling, in your own words, and then ask for a Mental Health Treatment Plan.

3. The GP will usually ask you a bit more about how you are feeling, ask you to fill out some questionnaires, and then ask which psychologist you would like a referral to.

4. If you would like to see me, ask for a referral to Dr Bronwyn Milkins (Suite 15, 11 Preston St, Como, WA 6152). Your GP should write a referral letter. Please ask your GP to forward the referral letter to me at hello@bronwynmilkins.com or via HealthLink at bmilkins. If the GP gives you a paper copy of the referral letter, please email me at hello@bronwynmilkins.com to set up an appointment and send the letter to me before your appointment.

It’s worthwhile keeping in mind that not all people are eligible for a Mental Health Care Plan. For example, a Mental Health Treatment Plan cannot cover people seeking couples counselling or people who are not likely to benefit from a structured approach to their treatment. If you are not eligible, ask your GP to recommend services that are appropriate to your situation.