Refer to a Mental Health Occupational Therapist
Refer to a Mental Health Occupational Therapist
Our Therapies provides adult mental health occupational therapy under Medicare Better Access, privately and by telehealth across Australia.
Eligible mental health occupational therapists are recognised Better Access providers and can provide Focussed Psychological Strategies.
Our clinicians work with patients where mental health symptoms are affecting everyday functioning, roles, routines and participation.
When to consider mental health occupational therapy
Consider mental health OT where psychological symptoms are affecting what your patient needs or wants to do in everyday life.
This may include:
Anxiety
Anxiety, avoidance or distress affecting work, community participation, relationships, routines or everyday responsibilities.
Depression and mood disorders
Reduced motivation, activity, self-care, occupational routine, work participation or engagement in meaningful activity.
Trauma and PTSD
Trauma related symptoms affecting emotional regulation, sleep, relationships, parenting, concentration, work or participation in everyday environments.
Adjustment to significant life events
Difficulty adapting to changes in health, relationships, family circumstances, employment, caring roles or other significant life events.
Neurodivergence and mental health
Mental health difficulties occurring alongside autism, ADHD or executive functioning difficulties, where psychological, sensory, environmental and occupational factors interact.
Complex mental health
Mental health conditions resulting in disruption to routines, self-management, relationships, work and broader community participation.
What does mental health OT treatment involve?
Our occupational therapists use evidence based psychological strategies alongside occupational therapy assessment and intervention.
Treatment considers both the person’s psychological symptoms and how these are affecting their daily activities, roles and environment.
Intervention may address:
- psychological symptoms and behavioural patterns
- emotional regulation
- activity and routine
- motivation
- self-care
- work and study participation
- relationships and family roles
- sensory and environmental factors
- planning, organisation and task completion
- graded return to meaningful activities
- development and application of strategies within everyday contexts.
Treatment goals are developed with the patient and linked to the areas of life affected by their mental health.
Medicare Better Access
Eligible occupational therapists can provide Focussed Psychological Strategies under Better Access.
Patients may access Better Access mental health treatment following:
- referral by a GP or prescribed medical practitioner managing the patient under a Mental Health Treatment Plan
- referral under a psychiatrist assessment and management plan
- direct referral from a psychiatrist or paediatrician.
Eligible patients can access Medicare benefits for up to 10 individual mental health treatment services per calendar year.
The initial course of individual treatment can include up to six services. Further courses require another referral and are subject to the patient’s remaining annual entitlement.
What should the referral include?
There is no prescribed Better Access referral form.
A signed and dated referral should include:
- patient name
- date of birth
- address
- symptoms or diagnosis
- current medications
- number of treatment services being referred
- confirmation that a Mental Health Treatment Plan or psychiatrist assessment and management plan has been prepared, where applicable.
The referral should also provide sufficient clinical information for safe and appropriate treatment.
Communication with the referrer
We provide a written report following each course of Better Access treatment.
This includes relevant assessment information, treatment provided and recommendations for ongoing management.
Where clinically required and with appropriate consent, we can also liaise with the referrer during treatment.
Telehealth referrals
Individual Better Access mental health treatment can be provided by telehealth where this is safe and clinically appropriate.
Our Therapies accepts telehealth referrals from across Australia.
This provides an additional referral pathway for patients living in regional, rural and remote communities, people with limited access to appropriate local mental health services, and patients for whom regular travel creates a barrier to treatment.
Learn about Mental Health OT via Telehealth
Our adult mental health services
Our adult mental health services include:
- Mental Health Occupational Therapy
- Medicare Better Access treatment
- Psychotherapy
- EMDR with an appropriately trained clinician
- Telehealth mental health treatment.
Treatment availability depends on clinician scope, location and current capacity.
Refer to Our Therapies
Referrals can be made directly to Our Therapies.
Our team can also assist your practice with questions about our service, clinician availability and the appropriate referral pathway.
