ADELAIDE’S LONGEST ESTABLISHED CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY PRACTICE

PsychMed is a leader in the provision of Psychological evidence based treatment programs to individuals, families and businesses.

Many of our Psychologists are amongst the most experienced clinical practitioners and academic educators in SA. We provide clinical services, professional training and behavioural science research.

We are a community based service organisation. We are committed to social equity and supporting the community and believe that everyone is entitled to receive professional treatment from experienced clinical psychologists regardless of their religious belief, age, gender, sexual orientation, culture, social, economic circumstances or geographical location.

PsychMed has independent staffed centres across South Australia with specialist suicide prevention, trauma, gambling, alcohol and drug services.

How often should I see a therapist?

How often you see your therapist or psychologist will depend on your current challenges and the therapeutic goals you set together. For some individuals, a small group treatment program may provide the best support, in which case appointments may be weekly. For other individuals, monthly appointments may provide adequate support. Your treatment program will be developed collaboratively between yourself and your psychologist with your best care and support in mind.

Why would you see a psychologist?

Most people may benefit from seeing a psychologist from time to time. Psychologists can be helpful to check in with even if you are not currently experiencing high levels of distress or mental illness. In addition to providing evidence-based treatment for mental illness, psychologists are able to help you overcome challenging areas of your life, coping with difficulties, and navigating major changes in relationships, employment, or life. Seeing a psychologist doesn’t mean that there is something wrong; rather, seeing a psychologist is a sign of positive change leading towards health and wellbeing.

Do psychologists really help?

Psychologists provide evidence-based treatment which means that the treatment has been thoroughly researched and shown to be effective for concerns such as anxiety, depression, addiction, or recovery from trauma. Our psychologists at PsychMed use world-class evidence-based treatments that have been shown to be highly effective across all our treatment programs. Psychologists can help their clients to overcome depression and anxiety, live free from addiction, recover from a suicide attempt or traumatic experience; and ultimately experience a higher level of mental health and wellbeing.

What is the difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist?

Psychologists are highly trained mental health specialists with at least 6 years of professional qualifications and training in evidence-based treatments for mental health. Our clinical and forensic psychologists have a minimum of 8 to 10 years of training. Psychologists focus on providing psychological assessment, counselling and cognitive behavioural therapies.

Psychiatrists are medical doctors who hold a medical degree with an additional 3 to 5 years of specialist training in mental health. Because psychiatrists are medical doctors, they are able to prescribe medication, such as antidepressants.

What does a psychologist do?

Psychologists use evidence-based treatments to provide the best possible support and care for your mental health, wellbeing, and recovery. Evidence-based treatment with a psychologist will include assessment; listening to and clarifying your priorities and needs, treatment planning; working with you to achieve better mental health and wellbeing through positive cognitive and behavioural change.

PsychMed has a variety of approaches including individual sessions, small group sessions, and family sessions. We can provide treatment and support for a wide variety of challenges that people may experience across the lifespan. Our therapeutic techniques include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Exposure Therapy, and several more depending on the client and practitioner. Our Psychologists are highly trained and stay up to date with the best therapeutic techniques and treatment programs in order to provide all of our clients with the best possible care and mental health outcomes. You can read more about our treatment programs.

Do I need a referral to see a psychologist?

You don’t have to have a referral to see a psychologist at PsychMed, and can make an appointment directly with one of our psychologists if you prefer. However, if you see your GP and request a Mental Health Care Plan, this will enable you to have up to ten partially or fully funded appointments per calendar year. You can read more about our referral pathways.

How much does it cost to see a psychologist?

PsychMed offers full-fee and concessional sessions for individuals referred through a mental health care plan. PsychMed, over the last 7 years, in SA, has provided fee-free appointments for suicide prevention, trauma associated with bushfires, domestic violence, personal and sexual assault, and gambling disorder. Due to recent changes in Government funding priorities, access to psychological fee-free services is now limited to drug and alcohol treatment; however, PsychMed continues to offer subsidised services in the above through Medicare and insurance schemes.

The Commonwealth supported Better Access program provided through Medicare allows 10 x funded individual and 10 x group sessions per calendar year. You can access this through a Mental Health Care Plan provided by your GP, or by direct referral from a Psychiatrist or Paediatrician. With a current Mental Health Care Plan, you can see a PsychMed Psychologist from a small gap fee of $45 per appointment if you are a concession card holder, or $85 per appointment for non-concession holders. You can read more about our fees, rebates & services.

How to choose a psychologist?

At PsychMed, our triage team reviews your referral to assist in identifying psychologists who are best placed to assist you in the most timely manner possible. However, if there are particular preferences for a psychologist or factors that are important to you (e.g., cultural and diversity preferences), please let us know and we will work our hardest to ensure these preferences are met, where possible.

If you are wanting to change practitioner, please let us know so we can arrange for this to happen. At PsychMed, we have multiple highly skilled Psychologists across our offices who will focus on developing a strong and positive therapeutic relationship with you to work towards achieving your goals of mental health and wellbeing.

There are a few things you may want to consider when choosing the right Psychologist for you, to help you access the best care for your concern and also to achieve a positive therapeutic relationship. Some questions to ask yourself are; is the psychologist experienced in treatment in the area you wish to focus on? Do they provide concession or fee-free sessions? What is the gap payment? Are they available within a suitable time? Do you have cultural or diversity preferences? Do you feel comfortable and understood by your Psychologist?

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