Practitioners providing treatment for people with mental health or relationship problems come from a broad range of backgrounds, including psychology, social work, counselling, occupational therapy and psychiatry. While each of these different professions have different training backgrounds and use different theoretical models, there is a lot of overlap between the types of problems they treat and the treatments they provide. The information below summarises the training background and treatment approaches of the different practitioners working at Cairns Psychology Group.
Psychology
Training
All psychologists are registered with the Psychology Board of Australia, which is part of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), and they have completed a minimum six-year sequence of education and training. This training typically includes a four-year Board-approved accredited sequence of study in psychology followed by a two-year Board-approved supervised internship undertaken while registered as a provisional psychologist. Since the 1 July 2013, psychologists completing the two year internship also have to pass a National Psychology Exam to obtain general registration. The Psychology Board of Australia ensures all psychologists maintain minimum professional standards, including recency of practice, ongoing professional development, and professional indemnity insurance.
Assessment & Treatment
Psychologists focus on working with clients own strengths and utilising positive psychology frameworks to enhance their well-being. They provide a wide range of evidence-based psychological services for issues ranging from mild to severe mental health problems, family and relationship difficulties, stress management, grief and loss, educational and learning difficulties, and other common areas of concern. Along with face-to-face interviews, psychologists may use a range of assessment tools, including cognitive testing and personality questionnaires, to help assess, diagnose and treat mental health problems. Psychologists work with their clients to develop an individualised treatment plan using a range of techniques and therapies, including:
- Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
- Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Skills Training (social skills, communication, anger management, stress management)
- Motivational Interviewing
- Schema Therapy
- Interpersonal Therapy
- Eye-Movement Desensitisation and Reprogramming (EMDR)
Access to Health Insurance & Medicare Rebates
- Medicare: If you have a current mental health care plan from a GP or have been referred by a paediatrician or psychiatrist, you should be eligible for a rebate from Medicare to help cover the cost of treatment. The current rebate (March 2022) is $88.25 per appointment.
- Private Health: Depending on your level of private health cover, most health funds will provide rebates to help cover the cost of psychological treatment.
Social Work
Training
Social Workers undergo a minimum of 4 years of study and training that must adhere to set standards of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). The AASW is the Australian body for registered Social Workers and ensures that Social Workers continue to provide best practice services based on current evidence based approaches by maintaining minimum professional standards. This is ensured through requirements to complete a range of continuing professional development activities and the provision of professional indemnity insurance. Social Workers are then able to specialise in various fields of practice, including counselling, through post graduate study. Specialising in counselling includes 1-2 additional years of study and training. Counselling is a recognised field of practice within the AASW.
Assessment & Treatment
Social Workers complete holistic psychosocial assessments that consider each person and their presenting concerns and goals in the context of their broader environment. Social Workers are strengths based and client centred in their approach to supporting the well-being of others while also considering the impacts of a persons physical, social and cultural environments. Social Workers in the counselling field utilise a range of evidence-based psychological strategies for a range of concerns including support for mental health, family and relationship difficulties, stress management, grief and loss, learning and development difficulties, and behavioural support. Unlike Psychologists, Social Workers are unable to conduct testing for diagnosis.
Social workers work with their clients collaboratively to develop individualised treatment plans using a range of techniques and therapies including:
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Skills training (social skills, communication, anger management, stress management)
- Motivational Interviewing
- Schema Therapy
- Interpersonal Therapy
- Eye-Movement Desensitisation and Reprogramming (EMDR)
- Narrative Therapy
- Somatic and sensorimotor psychotherapies
- Expressive Therapies
- Case management / casework
- Advocacy
- Community engagement
- Family support work
Access to Health Insurance & Medicare Rebates
Medicare: Accredited Mental Health Social Workers are able to provide treatment under mental health care plans, with clients receiving a rebate of $77.80. Our social worker, Sasha, is not currently accredited as a Mental Health Social Worker, but expects to receive accreditation before the end of 2022.
Private Health: Depending on your level of private health cover, some health funds will provide rebates to help cover the cost of counselling with a social worker.
Counselling / Psychotherapy
Counselling …