Mental Health Occupational Therapy Under Medicare
Focussed Psychological Strategies
OUR THERAPIES provides Focussed Psychological Strategies as part of mental health occupational therapy (OT).
These are psychological treatments recognised under Medicare’s Better Access initiative. We connect this work with your experiences, relationships and daily life.
How We Work
We take time to understand what’s happening and what you want from therapy.
Sessions may involve understanding thoughts, emotions and relationship patterns, working through difficulties, and practising different ways of responding.
We bring together psychotherapy and occupational therapy. Your needs and the therapist’s training guide the approaches used.
How We Can Help
We work with you to understand what’s happening, what matters to you and what you want to change. This may include:
- Anxiety and avoidance: working through worry, fear and situations you find difficult to approach.
- Depression and low mood: understanding what you’re experiencing and reconnecting with people and activities that matter to you.
- Trauma and past experiences: exploring how these affect your emotions, relationships and daily life.
- Strong emotions: understanding your responses and developing ways to manage distress.
- Relationships and communication: understanding patterns, expressing your needs and setting boundaries.
- Stress and overwhelm: working through problems and managing demands at home, work or study.
- Grief and life changes: working through loss, changing roles and difficult transitions.
- Daily routines and participation: addressing difficulties with motivation, getting started and staying involved in valued activities.
Your needs and the therapist’s training guide the approaches used.
Recognised Strategies
Medicare recognises a range of Focussed Psychological Strategies, including:
- Psychoeducation.
- Cognitive and behavioural strategies.
- Relaxation strategies.
- Skills training.
- Interpersonal therapy.
- EMDR.
- Narrative therapy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The strategies used depend on your needs and the therapist’s training. Not every therapist offers every approach.
Our Team
Occupational therapists providing these services under Medicare must meet its provider requirements, including recognised mental health training and experience.
Read about our therapists’ qualifications, experience and approaches on our team page.
Endorsed Mental Health Occupational Therapy · Mental Health Capability Framework
Medicare, Fees and Referrals
Medicare rebates may be available through Better Access, with an eligible therapist and a valid medical referral.
This usually means a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan and referral. Eligible referrals from a psychiatrist or paediatrician can also be used.
Eligible people can claim rebates for up to 10 individual Better Access sessions per calendar year. This allowance is shared across eligible therapists, including occupational therapists. Online and face-to-face sessions count towards the same limit.
Your initial referral can cover up to six sessions. Further sessions require review and a new referral, within the annual limit.
A gap payment applies. See our fees and Medicare information for details.
Appointments
Appointments are available online by telehealth, face-to-face at our Seaford and Parkdale clinics in Melbourne, and through home and community visits in Brisbane.
Options depend on your needs and the therapist. Online appointments must be suitable for your treatment.
Referral
Complete the referral form for yourself or someone else. We’ll contact you as soon as practical to discuss the next steps.
You can complete our form yourself. To claim Medicare rebates, you also need the required medical referral.