Long term affordable therapy

When you have had your 10 sessions, you can get a review from your gp and get an epc for another 5.

I really need fortnightly sessions, but cant afford them, so we try spreading them out to three weeks. She then charges me $125 a session when ive used up the free ones.

Not ideal by any means. Your psychologist should be able to give you more information.

Hi Chris,

I find the whole process 'Not ideal' lol but I guess you just have to make the best of what you can get. I was hoping there was something out there that I just wasn't aware of but it seems so many people are in the same position as me.

Hi,

I'm not sure where you are located but have you tried your local government Community Mental Health Service?? If you have a Health Care or Disability card you should be eligible. I know they have wait lists which is a pain in the bum and you don't have a lot of control who you are with, but I was lucky I like the lady I was assigned to and i've been seeing her weekly/fortnightly over a 2 year period at no cost.

Hi @Blue_Skies and @catgirl @Former-Member @Former-Member @lanae976 @Phoenix_Rising

Before my life-circumstances improved a few years back I would ring Life Line and be told about these Medicare funded sessions and it seems no one could hear me say I couldn't afford the differences between what the psychologist charged and Medicare supported us with - now I can - but still I find that although it doesn't really affect me anymore - I rarely need to see a therapist - but still - 10 sessions a year doesn't seem to me to be enough for the people with the depth of issues I read here - and it is an unfair system trying to look good but it is not financially viable - and for this I am truly sorry

It oftens seems to me that we - that is anyone - is always on the wrong side of the money - and Mental Health professionals are required but until my life improved 10 sessions a year would not have been enough - it seems not enough for anyone - and yet considering that when I go to my doctor for a physical issue and I need to go often for medical reasons - after a certain amount of visits I find I am paying around $5.00 per visit and yes - easy to afford -

How about medical insurance also - for a psychologist - extras cover only paid around $40,00 which for people out of work through illness is not affordable - even if they are able to pay medical insurance

I could go on what it cost for an arthroscopy - far more than I expected - so even for physical issues we are paying a lot for the better path of private cover and getting the job dont "next week" - which sounded really good that day - or being in the public system and waiting so long - eg - when I was in the public system it was 9 months before I saw a surgeon for torn shoulder tendons and my shoulder got better in the next few weeks after the surgery so I opted out

I will leave My-Aged-Care for another argument on another day but yes - there is another whole other story there

So yes @Blue_Skies - this is a tough season for so many people - and yes - I was told a Seniors Card could help me out but uh uh no - you have to spend money to get anything out of a seniors card

It's really tough peeps - and no one is imagining how tough - it just is - unless we have a good income somewhere

I am so sorry about that - for all of us

Dec

Hi @catgirl

I am able to cope well enough financially now but for so long I could not and wonder a great deal about the Government and whether those concerned really think about the deficit or the people - wow - I know what it's like to finish the week eating canned fruit for dinner and I don't have expensive habits

But my life changed - and I know I am fortunate

But when the time comes I will be finding out about the Federal My-Aged-Care Package System - I think a lot of people will suffer when that starts - the Government spreads care for the disadvantaged out too thin - but I am saving my soap-box act until I know more -

Dec