Not every mental health care professional will be suited to you or your family member. You are the
authority on your needs and completing your due diligence before you seek treatment is key to
finding the best fit for you and your treatment goals. If you are considering seeking psychological
support, we recommend that you:
o check out peak body websites such as:
o read websites and individual clinician bio’s such as our own here at the Luna Clinic
https://lunaclinic.com.au/about-us ;
o thoroughly check the qualifications and registration status of registered health professionals to
ensure that the clinician you are considering is qualified appropriately and to determine if any restrictions have been placed upon the professional. You can check this for
doctors, nurses, occupational therapists and psychologists with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Authority (AHPRA)
https://www.ahpra.gov.au/Registration/Registers-of-Practitioners.aspx ;
o Speak to trusted others and ask your referring doctor for their recommendations; and finally
o Familiarise yourself with the different mental health professions and titles. Below we explain the specific role of a Clinical in providing you psychological assessment and treatment, along with an outline of the roles of various other mental health related professions available.
A Clinical Psychologist is a psychologist who is an expert in mental health. They have undertaken highly specialised APAC-accredited training in the assessment, diagnosis, formulation, and in developing psychological treatment plans for mental health, behavioural, and emotional disorders across the lifespan. The education and training of clinical psychologists takes eight years minimum. All registered psychologists are required to undertake continuous professional development to maintain and update their skills.
Clinical psychology is a science-based profession that integrates theory and clinical practice to understand, prevent, and relieve psychological problems or disorders whether they are mild, moderate, severe, chronic, or complex. The title of psychologist is a protected title. It is a criminal offence to use, or represent, as a psychologist. All psychologists must be registered with the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Authority (AHPRA).
Medicare rebates are available for Clinical Psychologists under a Mental Health Care Plan.
It is important to note that some government funding bodies and organisations will only accept specific assessments with a diagnosis from either a:
* Clinical Psychologist,
* Neuropsychologist,
* Paediatrician, or
* Psychiatrist.
Occasionally a diagnosis may be accepted from a suitable qualified and experienced Educational & Developmental Psychologist. Whilst an assessment by a psychologist that is not trained and endorsed as a Clinical Psychologist or Neuropsychologist may be accepted (particularly as part of an overall multi-disciplinary team assessment including Occupational Therapists and Speech Therapists), you may also be required to seek additional assessment/diagnosis or confirmatory evidence from either a Clinical Psychologist, Neuropsychologist, Paediatrician, or Psychiatrist.
We strongly recommend that if you are seeking an assessment or diagnosis for yourself, your child or on behalf of someone else, for the purpose of determining eligibility for funding or supports (e.g., NDIS, Centrelink, Workcover), always seek written confirmation from the funding body/organisation prior to booking an assessment as to the specific qualification required by the assessing clinician.
Medicare rebates are available ($137.05 as at 21/02/2024).
General psychologists undertake six years of training, which includes a 4-year Honours degree addressing the scientific foundations of psychology, and a further 2 years of training which may involve either a 2-year internship or a 1-year Master degree plus 1-year internship. In both pathways, general registration competencies are addressed. (Psychology Board General competencies) and in the Accreditation Standards for Psychology.
However, general psychologists do not undertake accredited education and training to specialise in an endorsed area of specialised practice.
Other than Clinical Psychologists, psychologists may have advanced levels of education and training specialising in areas such as Clinical Neuropsychology, Forensic Psychology, Health Psychology, Organisational Psychology, Educational and Developmental Psychology, Sport and Exercise Psychology, Community Psychology or Counselling Psychology. These areas of specialisation are recognised via endorsement by the Psychology Board of Australia.
Medicare rebates are available for all non-Clinical Psychologists sessions ($93.35 as at 21/02/2024).
A Psychiatrist is a specialist medical doctor also registered with AHPRA who is an expert in assessment, diagnoses and pharmacological treatment of patients with mental health disorders. Psychiatrists have completed at least 5 years training in addition to basic medical training. They are best placed to provide expert opinion on psychotropic medication for mental health conditions and often work in collaboration with general practitioners and with psychologists. Psychiatrists are required to undertake continuous professional development to maintain and update their skills.
Medicare rebates are available.
Accredited Mental Health Social Workers are skilled and experienced private practitioners providing assessment, counselling, and a range of treatment and support options for mental health concerns. A Mental Health Social Worker is required to have completed a minimum of 4 years of university level studies along with evidencing a minimum of 5 years of experience in providing psychological support. As such they have been assessed on behalf of the Commonwealth Government by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) as having specialist mental health expertise and they are also required to undertake continuous professional development to maintain and update their skills.
Medicare rebates may be available in some instances.
Mental Health occupational therapists (OTs) have completed university level qualification to register as an allied health practitioner with AHPRA, and are required to have completed a minimum of 2 years full time (or equivalent) supervised practice as a qualified occupational therapist working in mental health. They draw on a range of psychological and occupational therapy strategies to help people understand and cope with their daily function and to enhance independence in everyday activities . For instance, an OT would look at what is impacting someone’s functioning - their illness presentation, their current coping, their relationships, their development, or medical needs - and then assist them to adaptively function in their roles again.
Medicare rebates may be available in some instances.
A specialist nurse who has demonstrated meeting the credentialing criteria in relation to registration as a health practitioner with AHPRA along with education, practice experience, and professional development. Works in both community and private practice settings to offer general counselling services for clients with acute or chronic health conditions.
May be able to offer limited Medicare rebates under an Enhanced Primary Care Plan to people with chronic or complex health conditions (such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease) or to women concerned about pregnancy. Not able to offer the Mental Health Care Plan rebate.
There are many wonderful counsellors and psychotherapists. However, at present in Australia these titles are not regulated health professions and are not protected titles which means that anyone is able to legally use one of these titles to promote their services regardless of training, qualifications or experience. They may (or may not) have completed certificate, diploma or degree level study. They may (or may not) belong to a peak body or association such as the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA).
Medicare do not currently provide rebates for counsellors or psychotherapists.
We encourage you to thoroughly check training, registration with appropriate registering bodies (e.g., AHPRA) and qualifications if you are considering seeking support with a mental health professional.
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