If you’re looking for a free psychologist in Melbourne, you’re in the right place. Better Place Australia is funded to provide free mental health services to support those who live, work or study in the City of Kingston or Cardinia Shire.
Click here to see if you are in a suburb that qualifies you for seeing a free psychologist in City of Kingston.
Click here to see if you are in a suburb that qualifies you for seeing a free psychologist in Cardinia Shire.
If you are unsure or would like to enquire, simply contact Better Place Australia.
Visiting a free psychologist in Melbourne
If you’re experiencing a difficulty or setback, then seeing a free psychologist in Melbourne is a good place to start.
Working with a Better Place Australia mental health professional can help you:
- recognise and learn to manage your own emotions
- reframe any negative self-talk you may be thinking or speaking out
- find healthy ways to cope with the challenges in your life.
If you are struggling, Better Place Australia can help you. We provide safe and confidential spaces in our counselling rooms.
How do you qualify for a free psychologist?
To see a free psychologist in City of Kingston or a free psychologist in the Cardinia Shire, you need to meet certain criteria.
You can access this free service if you:
- live, work or study in the Kingston and Cardinia area
- have difficulty accessing or affording support services
- suffer from low to moderate mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression, panic, stress, self-esteem, relationship issues, grief and loss or eating disorders.
Do you need a health care plan?
You do not need a current mental health care plan if you’d like to receive this free service and you won’t need to apply for a Medicare rebate.
How does the psychologist help you?
A Better Place Australia mental health professional can support you in numerous ways.
The psychologist will spend time assessing your concerns, discussing your therapeutic goals and working with you to determine a treatment approach.
As part of the sessions, you will:
- learn invaluable psychological coping strategies to manage the challenging times in your life
- gain a greater understanding of yourself and why you think as you do
- develop a better understanding of your behaviours and thinking patterns
- learn how to enhance your sense of well-being and life satisfaction through developing strategies.
What won’t our psychologists do?
When accessing a free psychologist in Melbourne, it is important to note what psychologists don’t do.
They don’t:
- give advice or be judgemental
- get emotionally involved
- diagnose mental illness or prescribe medication (only doctors can do that).
Do you need a referral?
To see a free psychologist in City of Kingston or a free psychologist in Cardinia Shire, you can self-refer. You can also get a referral from your GP or other primary health provider, school, social service or other organisation.
If you’d like to get a referral, you can call SEMPHN Mental Health Intake phone (business hours) on 1800 862 363.
Call Better Place Australia
If you’d like to enquire about Better Place Australia free psychological services, go to our Contact Us page.
Notes for general practitioners
GPs can fax referrals and GP mental health treatment plan using 9793 9052 or call the intake hotline for priority assistance 1800 862 363.
Referral forms and clinical software templates are on the SEMPHN mental health intake resources. Other referral forms are accepted if they contain the relevant required information.
For more information on Accessible Psychological Interventions (API) services please visit SEMPHN mental health.
Fact Sheets
Download the Accessible Psychological Interventions (API) Fact Sheet
