Psychology Services in NSW & Queensland

To access Medicare-rebated Psychology sessions at CAHC, begin by booking an appointment with your GP and asking for a Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) referral. Your GP will assess your mental health and, if appropriate, write an MHTP and a referral letter to CAHC. Bring your MHTP, referral letter, and Medicare card to your first appointment. Medicare rebates apply for sessions 1–6 without any further steps. After session 6, return to your GP for a review appointment — if your GP determines it is clinically appropriate, they will approve sessions 7–10. Telehealth sessions are covered by Medicare under Better Access, so you can attend in-person or online. Rebate amounts are subject to change — confirm current rates with your GP or the clinic.

No — you do not need a GP referral to book a private Psychology appointment at CAHC. Anyone can self-refer and attend without a referral letter for a private, out-of-pocket appointment. However, a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) referral is required if you want to access the Medicare Better Access rebate (up to 10 sessions per calendar year). NDIS participants do not need a GP referral but should confirm the process with their Support Coordinator. WorkCover and CTP claims require insurer approval before commencing funded treatment. If you are unsure which pathway applies to you, contact your nearest CAHC clinic and a team member will help you work it out.

A Medicare rebate will apply to your session if you attend with a valid MHTP referral from your GP. Rebate amounts are subject to change — confirm current rates with your GP or the clinic.

Medicare Better Access covers up to 10 individual Psychology sessions per calendar year (January–December). Sessions 1 through 6 are accessible once your GP has written a Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP). After your sixth session, you will need to return to your GP for a review appointment — your GP will assess your progress and, if clinically appropriate, approve sessions 7 through 10. Up to 10 group therapy sessions are also available separately under Better Access, in addition to the 10 individual sessions. Rebate amounts are subject to change — confirm current rates with your GP or the clinic.

A Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) is a plan written by a GP following an assessment of a patient’s mental health needs. It documents the patient’s presenting concerns, treatment goals, and the recommended form of professional psychological support. An MHTP is required to access the Medicare Better Access rebate for Psychology sessions. To get one, make an appointment with your GP specifically to discuss a referral for psychological support and ask for an MHTP. Your GP will assess whether Better Access is appropriate for your situation and, if so, will write the plan and a referral letter for you to bring to your first CAHC Psychology appointment.

Yes — telehealth Psychology sessions are available at CAHC. You can attend via a secure online video session from home or any private location. Medicare Better Access covers telehealth Psychology sessions in the same way as in-person sessions, so your rebated sessions are available in either format. NDIS-funded and other-funded sessions may also be available via telehealth — confirm eligibility for your specific funding stream when booking. To attend a telehealth session, you need a device with a camera and microphone, a stable internet connection, and a private, quiet space.

Psychologists are allied health clinicians who provide psychological assessment and evidence-based therapeutic support. CAHC Psychologists are AHPRA-registered under the Psychology Board of Australia and hold university-level training in psychological therapy. Psychiatrists are medical doctors who hold specialised qualifications in psychiatry and can prescribe psychiatric medication. Psychiatrists are the primary point for formal psychiatric diagnosis and medication management. If you need medication for a mental health condition, or are seeking a formal psychiatric diagnosis, speak with your GP about a referral to a Psychiatrist. CAHC Psychologists work alongside GPs and Psychiatrists as part of a patient’s broader care team — they do not prescribe medication and are not a substitute for psychiatric management where that is clinically required.

CAHC Psychologists can provide psychological support, strategy development, and assessment support for adults and adolescents experiencing ADHD-related or autism-related difficulties. This may include developing coping strategies, emotional regulation skills, and support with daily functioning and wellbeing. For a formal diagnostic assessment for ADHD or Autism Spectrum Disorder, please speak with your GP about a referral to a Paediatrician, Psychiatrist, or specialist assessment team — formal diagnosis is not within the scope of a standard Psychology appointment. CAHC Psychologists do not prescribe medication — please speak with your GP or Psychiatrist about medication and psychiatric management as part of your overall care plan.

CAHC Psychologists provide scheduled appointments and are not a crisis or emergency service. If you or someone you know is in immediate distress or at risk of harm, please contact one of the following services immediately: Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on 13 11 14. Beyond Blue is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on 1300 22 4636. For a life-threatening emergency, call 000. You can also contact your GP during business hours, or present to your nearest hospital emergency department. If you are safe but need to speak to someone urgently outside of appointment hours, Lifeline and Beyond Blue are both staffed around the clock.

Yes — Psychology is funded under the NDIS Capacity Building budget category, specifically Improved Daily Living (therapeutic supports). NDIS-funded Psychology sessions are available at CAHC for participants whose plan goals include mental health, social participation, or daily living support. Sessions can be delivered in-person at a CAHC clinic or via telehealth. Eligibility depends on your individual NDIS plan goals — speak with your Support Coordinator or contact us to confirm whether Psychology is funded in your current plan.

Yes — SIRA (the State Insurance Regulatory Authority) covers psychological injury arising from workplace incidents in NSW. CAHC accepts WorkCover Psychology referrals for approved psychological injury claims. CAHC’s Free Insurance Claims Advisory manages all insurer correspondence on the patient’s behalf — there is no administrative burden on you to liaise with the insurer. A GP certificate of capacity and insurer approval are required before commencing funded treatment.

Your CAHC Psychologist will discuss therapeutic approaches with you during your initial consultation and recommend an approach based on your presenting concerns, personal history, and goals. You are welcome to ask about specific modalities when booking — if you have previously found a particular approach helpful, or have been recommended a specific therapy by your GP, please mention this. There is no obligation to continue with any approach that does not feel right for you — your Psychologist will check in regularly and adjust the approach as your needs evolve. If you have questions about whether CAHC’s Psychology team is the right fit, contact your nearest clinic before booking and a team member will be glad to help.

Yes — CAHC Psychologists work with adolescents and young people. Sessions are age-appropriate, strength-based, and conducted in a non-judgmental environment. Medicare Better Access applies for eligible young people whose GP has written a Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) referral. NDIS-funded psychological support is also available for young participants (eligibility depends on individual plan goals). Confidentiality arrangements for minors are governed by AHPRA guidelines and applicable privacy legislation — your Psychologist will explain what can and cannot be shared with parents or guardians at the start of the first session. A parent or guardian will be appropriately involved in parts of the first session for younger clients.

CAHC Psychologists work with people experiencing eating disorders using evidence-based psychological approaches. We encourage patients to contact their nearest CAHC clinic to discuss their situation before booking, so we can match them with a Psychologist with relevant experience. Eating disorder care often works best as part of a coordinated multi-disciplinary team approach — at CAHC, Psychologists and Dietitians are available within the same network, which means your care can be coordinated across both disciplines. For dietetic support alongside your psychological care, see our Dietetics page. If you are experiencing a medical emergency related to an eating disorder, please contact your GP or present to your nearest hospital emergency department.