What’s it like to see and speak with a mental health professional?
The first time you visit a mental health professional they should always talk to you about confidentiality, which is your right to privacy, and basically means that anything you chat about with them will remain private between the two of you. Mental health professionals take this very seriously; if they don’t, they can quickly lose their jobs!
The next thing a mental health professional will do is complete an assessment of your mental health, usually by asking a whole range of different questions about what’s happening in your life, your background, family life and personal history (you can choose how much detail you want to discuss until you feel really comfortable). They ask these questions to learn about you, not to judge you or jump straight to diagnosing you with a mental illness. The reason they want to learn about you is so that they can best HELP you based on your needs and wants. They’ll then discuss with you a plan for continuing, including how often they’d like to see you and for how long. Normally they will recommend that you visit them weekly or fortnightly for a period of time. An appointment usually lasts about 45-50 minutes.
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How much does it cost to see a mental health professional?
Some mental health professionals have no fees because Medicare covers their bills. Others might charge you a ‘gap’ fee, depending on the amount that Medicare covers. If you have Private Health Insurance, your health insurer might also cover some of ...
I’ve spoken to a mental health professional, and it didn’t help. What now?
An important tip from us in relation to professional support, we urge you to be patient to find the right fit. Please do not be put off or lose motivation if the first person you speak with is not the best fit for you. A lot of people take that first ...
I've got a mental health care plan, so what happens next?
A mental health plan outlines what you and your GP (doctor) have agreed is your goal in seeking mental health support and the type of care that will meet your needs. It will probably also include a referral to a psychologist in your local area that ...
Interested in ongoing support?
If you would prefer to speak with someone on an ongoing basis, we recommend visiting your GP (doctor) who will be able to have a chat with you about what is going on in your life and refer you to a mental health professional if need be. The next part ...
I need help now
LIVIN does not provide crisis intervention or counselling; however, we always want to do our best to help point you in the right direction. Are you having a tough time? Struggling? Need someone to talk to right now? The following services are there ...