{"id":8971,"date":"2025-07-07T23:20:45","date_gmt":"2025-07-07T13:20:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/onthecoastpublications.com.au\/onthecoastover55\/?p=8971"},"modified":"2025-07-07T23:20:46","modified_gmt":"2025-07-07T13:20:46","slug":"mental-health-support-seniors-central-coast","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/onthecoastpublications.com.au\/onthecoastover55\/mental-health-support-seniors-central-coast\/","title":{"rendered":"Your Guide to Mental Health Support & Finding a Therapist"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

by selina chapman, psychologist at The Heart & Mind Collective<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, you want to make some positive changes in your mental health and wellbeing but don\u2019t know where to start? Many questions and concerns relating to mental wellbeing can be confusing, so let\u2019s dispel some myths and answer some commonly asked questions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWho looks outside dreams, who looks inside awakes.\u201d \u2013 Jung, as cited in Adler & Jaff\u00e9, 1973, p. 33<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do I find a therapist and know they are qualified?
<\/strong>A qualified therapist in most Allied Health professions can be found via the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) at https:\/\/www.ahpra.gov.au<\/a> with searches by location, speciality or both.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additional searches via professional body websites or societies such as The Australian Psychological Society (APS) https:\/\/psychology.org.au\/find-a-psychologist<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When should I see a mental health professional?
<\/strong>When our quality of life is compromised perhaps due to distressing life events, we feel stressed, relationships and work life experiences are not working out, or having a family member or friend who is struggling, or no specific reason at all. Whenever you want improvement in your mental health and wellbeing, in any way, it can help to see a therapist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should I see a psychologist when I am well?
<\/strong>Absolutely yes you can! Our mental health, like our physical health can be good, poor, or a work in progress. We care for our bodies with a healthy diet, exercise and sleep and like our bodies, our minds and emotions need to be supported, encouraged and maintained for optimum functioning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which therapy is best for me?
<\/strong>It depends on why you want or need therapy. Each clinician has their own areas of speciality, training and qualifications in addition to their tertiary education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consider the method that is right for you as well, such as in person or via telehealth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do I always need a Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP)?
<\/strong>You can access therapy with or without a MHTP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A MHTP accesses up to 10 Medicare rebated appointments with an accredited mental health care professional and is still valid with someone else if you change your mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For diagnosed eating disorders, specialised plans access up to 40 psychological appointments and 20 dietician appointments with qualified specialised clinicians.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is the difference between Private or Public Practitioners?
<\/strong>Both types of clinicians accept MHTPs, have the same qualifications and offer the same services. The differences are work settings and possibly the cost of the appointment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A psychologist in a public health setting will typically see you in a hospital or clinic with their fee completely covered by Medicare having no additional costs to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A psychologist in private practice will see you in a non\u2013clinical setting and fees can have a gap fee after your Medicare rebate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both clinicians may have wait lists, however private practitioners might have more availability in general than through the public health system. It is worth it to \u2018shop around\u2019 to find the right fit for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist?
<\/strong>A psychologist can assess, diagnose and treat mental health disorders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specialises in psychoses, complex mental health disorders, and can prescribe medications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both work in private or public practice, accept MHTPs, diagnose and treat mental health disorders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can I change my therapist?
<\/strong>Always! It is very important to find a good fit for you, especially when life is a struggle, and we feel vulnerable. You can change your mind at any time and your MHTP is still valid with someone else.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What if I can\u2019t afford a gap fee for therapy? What can I do?
<\/strong>There are several options available including Head to Health and Mindspot services who provide free psychological services in\u2013person or online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can also discuss financial options with your preferred provider when booking an appointment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does it mean if I get a mental health diagnosis?
<\/strong>Getting answers or an explanation for symptoms or behaviours can be healing and empowering and help you belong to a community for support and understanding however it can also be a shock. Getting a diagnosis is not always necessary to obtain the support you need in practical terms. You can always discuss your needs with your GP and therapist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do I have to take medication?
<\/strong>Medication is a personal choice that can be discussed with your medical professional. It can be short\u2013term or long\u2013term. It really depends on your individual needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I read self\u2013help books, should I still see a professional?
<\/strong>Absolutely! Think of it like a personal trainer at the gym for emotional and mental health, to stay on course and keep up\u2013to\u2013date with current evidence\u2013based practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take care, Selina<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Selina Chapman is a mum of twin boys and a psychologist at The Hearts and Mind Collective in Wyoming. She works with individuals of all ages seeking empowerment and support. Selina says, \u201cSeeking support for mental health is about maintaining emotional and mental wellbeing as well as having extra help as and when we need it\u201d.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"by selina chapman, psychologist at The Heart & Mind Collective So, you want to make some positive changes in your mental health and wellbeing but don\u2019t know where to start?…","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8972,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","episode_type":"audio","audio_file":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"","filesize":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","filesize_raw":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[37],"tags":[75,120],"series":[],"class_list":["post-8971","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health-wellbeing","tag-article","tag-selina-chapman"],"episode_featured_image":"https:\/\/onthecoastpublications.com.au\/onthecoastover55\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/07\/mental-health-problems-with-memory.jpg","episode_player_image":"https:\/\/onthecoastpublications.com.au\/onthecoastover55\/wp-content\/plugins\/seriously-simple-podcasting\/assets\/images\/no-album-art.png","download_link":"","player_link":"","audio_player":false,"episode_data":{"playerMode":"dark","subscribeUrls":{"apple_podcasts":{"key":"apple_podcasts","url":"","label":"Apple Podcasts","class":"apple_podcasts","icon":"apple-podcasts.png"},"stitcher":{"key":"stitcher","url":"","label":"Stitcher","class":"stitcher","icon":"stitcher.png"},"google_podcasts":{"key":"google_podcasts","url":"","label":"Google Podcasts","class":"google_podcasts","icon":"google-podcasts.png"},"spotify":{"key":"spotify","url":"","label":"Spotify","class":"spotify","icon":"spotify.png"}},"rssFeedUrl":"https:\/\/onthecoastpublications.com.au\/onthecoastover55\/feed\/podcast\/coffee-with-a-coastie","embedCode":"

Your Guide to Mental Health Support & Finding a Therapist<\/a><\/blockquote>