What are the types of mental health professionals?

There are many types of health professionals working in mental health care. Your doctor is usually the first point of contact if you need help with your mental health. General practitioners can diagnose and treat some mental health disorders as well as advise you and refer you to other mental health professionals.

Other health professionals that work in mental health care include:

• Psychiatrists — These are medical doctors who have completed specialised training in mental health. They can diagnose and treat mental illness both with psychotherapy (talking therapies) and medicines.
• Mental health nurses — Nurses with a specialist qualification in mental health help people work towards recovery from mental health issues.
• Psychologists — They provide treatment of mental health problems with psychotherapy but are not medical doctors and can't prescribe medicines.
• Counsellors — These therapists help talk you through challenges in your life, to help you find solutions and develop problem-solving skills.
• Occupational therapists (OTs) — OTs help people be more independent, develop coping strategies and overcome mental health issues.
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health workers — Mental health workers who deliver care in a culturally appropriate way and may also provide cultural education to people outside the community.
• Social workers — These are professionals trained in assessment and treatment of mental health issues, who work with people who have mental health problems in a holistic, practical way. They may help manage social factors, such as housing, employment and relationships.

Most mental health professionals study and train for many years. They all have different skills to support you, including:

• diagnosing mental health conditions
• treating mental health problems using different types of psychotherapy and counselling
• prescribing medicines
• educating you about your condition
• organising care for people who have complex mental health needs

How do I find a mental health professional?

If you're searching for help with a mental health problem, try talking to your doctor (also known as a general practitioner or GP) first.

They can assess you, help you build a mental health treatment plan and refer you to another health professional if needed. They will be able to suggest the best type of mental health professional to help you. Depending on their training and experience, your doctor may also be able to treat you themselves.

You need a referral from your doctor to see some health professionals such as psychiatrists.

If you live in a rural or remote area, you may not have access to all the different types of mental health professionals. Talk to your doctor about whether online programs or therapies might help you. There are many online mental health resources that are backed up with contact from a mental health specialist.

How do I choose a mental health professional?

One of the most important factors in successful treatment is your relationship with your mental health professional. When choosing a health professional, ask yourself questions such as:

• What problems can they help me with?
• What results can I expect?
• What qualifications do they have?
• How much will treatment cost?
• Do I need a referral?
• How often will I need appointments?
• Are appointments available on days or at times that work for me?

Most types of health professionals must be registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Registration Agency (AHPRA). You can check if a health professional requires registration and is registered. A complaint about a health professional can be made via the AHPRA website.

Counsellors and psychotherapists are required to complete study and appropriate training to practise in Australia. There are professional bodies in Australia for counsellors and psychotherapists that ensure that their members have met all requirements and show that they have mental health skills, e.g. Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia and the Australian Counselling Association.

You may have to meet a few health care professionals before you find the right person for you. Even within the same profession, different people may have different skills, specialties and styles. For example, psychiatrists may specialise in schizophrenia or eating disorders. Some counsellors specialise in a particular area, for example, drug or alcohol abuse, family therapy, or anxiety and depression.

What can I expect when I visit a mental health professional?

At your first visit with a mental health professional, they will want to know about your symptoms and what is concerning you. They will also ask about your medical history. They may ask questions relating to the reason for your appointment such as:

• why you have made an appointment
• what you hope to achieve
• whether you or anyone in your family has a history of mental illness such as depression
• whether you have had any previous mental health issues

They will also ask questions about:

• your relationship with your family and friends
• your stress levels and any specific stressful events in your past
• your feelings about your job and your relationships
• whether you use drugs and how much alcohol you drink
• the risk of you harming yourself or others
• whether you have any other existing health conditions

At the end of your visit, your health professional may:

• make a diagnosis
• set up a management plan for the treatment of your mental health problem
• suggest you see another type of healthcare professional or someone who specialises in a particular area

Will my information be kept confidential?

Most conversations with a mental health professional are confidential and protected by law in Australia, unless:

• you are at risk of harm
• there is a risk you may harm others
• they involve a serious crime, such as murder, drug-dealing or sexual assault

If you are concerned about confidentiality, ask your practitioner at the start of your appointment.

What if I need to change my mental health professional?

There are many reasons why you might want to change your mental health professional such as:

• you aren't feeling better
• they are difficult to travel to or the appointment times don't suit
• you don’t feel comfortable with them, or you feel that they don't understand you

It's a good idea to first talk to the person you're seeing. If the time or place is an issue, they might be able to change the appointment times or move the appointments to a different location.

If you decide to change, you can ask for your medical notes to be transferred to your new health professional. This will help your new health professional understand you better and it will make the change easier.

Don't be put off if the first person you try doesn't work out. It's worth persevering so you can get the right support.

What does it cost to see a mental health professional?

The cost of seeing a health professional depends on the type of health professional you see. Medicare may cover some or all of the costs for mental health services.

If you have a diagnosed mental illness, your doctor can provide you with a mental health treatment plan. This provides a Medicare rebate for up to 10 individual and 10 group sessions a year with some mental health specialists.

If a doctor or psychologist bulk bills, Medicare will cover the cost of the appointment. Otherwise, there will be a gap fee that you will have to pay. Ask about fees up front.

Resources and support

If you want further information about mental health professionals and how to find someone suitable for you and your situation, speak with your doctor.

You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

healthdirect offers a comprehensive directory of mental health resources.

The following organisations also provide resources and support:

• ReachOut has information on types of mental health professionals, confidentiality and tips on choosing the right mental health professional.
• Beyond blue has resources to find a mental health professional and what they do.
• Head to health has information on preparing for your first appointment.

Looking for information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people?

• Beyond blue has helpful contacts for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.
• My mental health provides social and emotional wellbeing services

Looking for information for culturally and linguistically diverse people?

• My mental health provides information and services for people from other cultures or people who prefer languages other than English.