Accredited Mental Health Socials Workers (AMHSWs) are recognised providers with Medicare Australia and other programs, delivering clinical social work services in mental health settings and utilise a range of evidence based therapies.

AMHSWs work with people across a lifespan (including children, adults and older persons) and provide a unique contribution to the mental health space in their holistic approach to working with a person. The advanced training that is expected of an AMHSW prepares and provides them with the skills for working with people with very complex presentations and co-morbidities. AMHSWs are highly trained and educated professionals, meeting some of the highest standards or professional regulation in Australia.

AHMSWs have a breadth of experience in assessing and treating people who have mental health disorders such as:
- depression and other mood disorders
- anxiety disorders
- personality disorders
- psychosis
- suicidal thoughts
- relationship problems
- life crisis
- adjustment issues
- trauma
- grief
- anger

Both psychologists and AMHSW have completed a minimum of 6 years training and education

Both work to help individuals learn to cope more effectively with life issues and individuals' mental health

The therapies used through sessions can be the same (e.g. CBT, DBT, EMDR, neurofeedback)

Their continued professional development courses are attended by clinicians for both professions, highlighting their similarities

If you noticed this list did not contain any difference between a psychologist and AMHSW, that is because the differences are very subtle. A social worker and psychologist have different undergraduate degrees. Both can provide psychological therapies in a range of modalities through evidence based psychological interventions and "talk therapy". All mental health professionals will have a different lens depending on their ongoing professional development, training, life experience and interests.

AHMSWs use a range of interventions in helping people with mental health disorders, including the following focused psychological strategies:
- cognitive behavioural therapy
- dialectal behavioural therapy
- social skills training
- relaxation training
- psychoeducation
- anger management
- stress management
- parenting skills training
- narrative therapy
- interpersonal therapy
- eye movement desensitisation re-processing (EMDR)

To access the Medicare rebate you will need an active referral to see me. These can come from your GP, a paediatrician or a psychiatrist who will complete a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) with you. You will also need to have not exceeded your allowable limit of sessions under a MHCP in a calendar year (usually 10). To access this care plan, please contact your regular GP and request a long appointment for a mental health care plan.

Yes, however you will not receive any Medicare rebate for the session

Therapy is a private and confidential process whereby people are assisted to explore, reflect upon and resolve personal issues of concern to them through dialogue with a trained professional. In doing so, individuals improve their emotional health and well-being, helping them to lead a more productive and fulfilling life.

People bring a variety of issues and concerns to therapy sessions. Mental health issues, worries or concerns regarding one's own or another's behaviour, worries regarding personal stress. These are just some of the many issues that people attend therapy to get assistance with. Through discussion of their concerns, individuals are assisted to work through their issues, develop a new or healthier perspective, gain insight and are supported to develop strategies to manage day to day life.

You can ask as many questions as you like, and I will also ask you some questions about the issues you are bringing. Our first session together will see us working collaboratively to learn more about with issues you may be facing and how you've tried to address them already.

Not all people match their treating practitioner. It may be that, like with other relationships, you didn't click. There may have been other reasons the therapy didn't work. It is important to remain open minded and give time for a therapeutic relationship to develop.

It has been shown that finding the right therapist makes a great deal of difference in determining how people feel in a session and the overall likelihood of success. This is because there are different types of therapist, different approaches to delivering therapy and different personality types. The success of therapy is very much based on your connection and relationship with the therapist, so you may have to sample different therapists before you find the right fit for you.

Usually therapy starts with weekly or fortnightly appointments. Once you have gained marked improvements you may reduce the frequency of appointments. This would be to maintain the benefits or gradually gain further benefits.

The waiting list will vary depending on numbers of clients currently being seen at any given time. If you require an urgent appointment, please call to discuss.