If you’re considering seeking help for your mental health, understanding the process to a mental health care plan can feel a bit overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. At The Therapy Hub, we want to make it as simple as possible for you to start your therapy journey, get the support you need, and benefit from rebates that may help with the costs.

Do I Need a Referral?

You do not need a referral to attend The Therapy Hub for counselling. You can find out more information here. Not all qualified and registered mental health professionals use the Medicare system, and not all mental health services and therapies are covered by Medicare. Couples therapy and family therapy are just some examples of things that aren’t covered. Remember, what is most important is that the therapist has the right skills and experience to suit your needs.

How to Get a Mental Health Care Plan

Here’s a step-by-step guide to walk you through the process.

Step 1: Browse for a Therapist

The first step is to explore our list of therapists to find someone who suits your needs. You can give us a call or email our admin team to check on availability or enquire about whether a therapist is accepting new clients. Our friendly team will do their best to match you with the right person based on what you’re looking for. Good news—you don’t need a mental health care plan to book in and start!

The following steps are for those that have chosen a therapist that is able to provide Medicare rebates.

Step 2: Book a GP Appointment

Once you’ve found a therapist you’d like to work with, your next step is to book an appointment with your GP to create a mental health care plan (MHCP). When scheduling your GP visit, ask for a longer session or check if the clinic offers appointments specifically for mental health care plans.

Step 3: Mental Health Assessment with Your GP

During your appointment, your GP may ask you some personal questions and offer some other tools. They may ask you 10 questions from the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10), a brief screening tool, or the DASS21, another screening tool for depression, anxiety, and stress. They might also ask you about medication, alcohol or other drug use, and any mental health symptoms you’re experiencing. This can feel a bit confronting, but it’s a standard part of the screening process. Don’t worry—this step is just to assess your current needs, not what therapy will actually be like.

If you’re eligible, your GP will create a mental health care plan that allows you to receive a Medicare rebate for up to 10 sessions per calendar year. If for some reason you aren’t eligible, don’t stress—you can still see a therapist without a mental health care plan.

Step 4: Bring Your Therapist’s Details to Your GP

If you’ve already found a therapist at The Therapy Hub that you want to see, bring their details to your GP appointment. You can let your GP know who you’d like to work with so they can include this information in your plan. If you’re not sure yet or prefer for your GP to recommend someone, that’s okay too. Your GP can refer you to a psychologist they know, or they might create a general plan without specifying a therapist.

You don’t need to stress too much about the name they put on the plan; that plan is yours, and you’re welcome to change your mind about the psychologist or mental health social worker whose name they have put on the plan.

Step 5: Book Your First Therapy Session

Now that your plan is ready, it’s time to book your first session with your therapist. When booking, our admin team will ask you for some basic information to help allocate you to the most suitable therapist. You’ll also need to:

  • Complete some paperwork and a consent form
  • Review and understand prices and rebate options
  • Provide payment details, including your Medicare card and mental health care plan
  • Email or bring your mental health care plan to your first session. If your GP sends it directly to the therapist, no worries—you’re all set!

Step 6: Follow-Up After Six Sessions

After your sixth session, you’ll need to book another GP appointment to access the remaining four rebated sessions (if required). This check-in is just a brief conversation with your GP to ensure you’re progressing and that therapy is helpful.

If you and your therapist aren’t a good match, don’t worry—you can change therapists without needing a new mental health care plan as long as you’re seeing a registered mental health clinician.

At The Therapy Hub, we’re here to guide you through this process and answer any questions you might have. You can access psychological services with the support of Medicare rebates and take an important step towards improving your mental wellbeing. Feel free to reach out to us anytime for more information.