Unsure about seeking support for your mental health? We have put together some frequently asked questions to show how we can help and support you. If you don’t find the answer you are looking for here, please contact our friendly team.
“A Credentialed Mental Health Nurse (CMHN) is a specialist nurse who has demonstrated meeting the credentialing criteria in relation to registration, education, practice experience, professional development, and professional integrity.” (Australian College of Mental Health Nurses)
A CMHN has post-graduate qualifications specific to mental health and must be successful in a rigorous re-credentialing process every 3 years, providing evidence of recency of practice in mental health, continuing professional development, and be supported by professional referees.
A CMHN has an extensive range of holistic skills including counselling and psychotherapy, medication administration and monitoring, and mental and physical health assessment.
The CMHN partners with you holistically, encompassing your physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs. A range of contemporary therapeutic approaches (counselling) are provided to support you, always making sure you are in charge of your recovery journey and care is driven by your preferences. Nurses are experts in collaboration and can help you identify and work with your support network, and services available in the community. CMHNs can work with you to review your medications, providing better understanding of the role of medications in your recovery, and also explain to you about your symptoms and any diagnosis you may have and what that means for you. A CMHN can communicate with your GP with your consent if required.
While, psychologists also provide counselling services they also provide psychological testing for schools, courts and other entities. Psychiatrists usually provide limited talk therapy. They are a medical doctor specialising in the mental health field and are typically available for diagnosis and medication management of behavioural and emotional conditions. If medication is necessary, typically medication and counselling are used together. Medication therapy is not a replacement for counselling.
Sessions are typically 45-60 minutes in length.
Many people feel nervous before their first appointment, it can feel uncomfortable talking with a complete stranger! We will primarily want to hear why you made the appointment, what you have already done to try and overcome your challenges, and what outcomes you are hoping for. Your initial session usually involves completing some paperwork, and some discussion around policies and privacy and confidentiality.
To better understand you, we will likely talk about the important parts of your life (relationships, work, school, etc.) as well as information about your background. If you decide to continue working with us, we will begin to develop goals and a plan to work towards them. If you do not feel comfortable for any reason, please say so, and we will be happy to provide you with a referral to another trusted colleague.
Yes we have some availability outside business hours. Be sure to let us know any scheduling requirements you may have up front so we can best support you.
Individual sessions can be charged directly to you, no referral is needed to be a full fee-paying client. Please contact us directly for current pricing.
If you have a referral for a GP Management Plan from your GP (also known as Chronic Disease Management or Enhanced Primary Care Program), you will be eligible to receive a Medicare rebate. There is still some out-of-pocket expense. You will be eligible for up to 5 sessions in a calendar year.
Pregnancy-related counselling related to a current or recent pregnancy (within the past 12 months), whether it has been full-term or part-term (including a planned termination) attracts a Medicare rebate. The pregnancy support counselling Medicare Item covers up to three sessions per pregnancy, and there will be an out-of-pocket expense. Clients are encouraged to talk to their GP about accessing this service, all that is required to access is a referral letter from the GP.
Connect to Wellbeing is the most cost-effective way, enabling the client to access a minimum of 6 consultations per calendar year totally free of charge. The person must have a Pension Card, Health Care Card or Low-Income Health Care Card. If this isn’t the case and the referrer believes the person to be experiencing exceptional financial circumstances the client may still be eligible. In this case, a letter demonstrating this should accompany the Connect to Wellbeing Referral Form. Eligibility exceptions also include if the person has recently lost employment but does not yet have the required documentation, if the person is experiencing domestic violence and is unable to access bank accounts, if the person has experienced an environmental disaster, such as flood or drought. Clients are encouraged to talk to their GP about this option if they believe they might be eligible. On the referral form, the GP can request Kelly Health as the preferred service provider. GPs who are unfamiliar with the process to refer to Connect to Wellbeing can access the referral process at their website or call them on 1300 020 390.
Cancellations are to be made no later than 24 hours prior to your appointment, to avoid charges.
Add an answer to this information about your sessions or what is discussed in the sessions is not shared with anyone without your permission. However, it is a requirement for us to provide some feedback to your referrer, and the details of this will be discussed with you. Notes about your sessions are kept as part of your clinical records. Kelly Health uses a 256-bit bank grade security and encryption computer software, meaning that your information is protected to the same level required for banks. There are some exceptions to confidentiality. If there is the possibility of harm to yourself or another person, or in cases of child or elder abuse, we are mandated to report certain information to the appropriate people to maintain safety. s item.
Here are a few points to consider to help you get the most out of your sessions.
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