Counselling and your mental health care plan

counselling tanya wilson

Currently in Australia, counsellors and psychotherapists are what are considered by the government as unregistered professionals (there is much lobbying happening to try and change this). Whereas a psychologist (and social worker) are considered registered. What this means for you is that if your GP creates a mental health care plan for counselling and treatment of a diagnosed mental health condition, in order to get a rebate from Medicare, you must see a registered psychologist or social worker, rather than a counsellor or psychotherapist.The mental health care plan gives you access to rebates for up to ten sessions per calendar year and is part of the Better Access to Psychiatrists, Psychologists and General Practitioners through the Medicare Benefits Schedule (Better Access) initiative.