MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL WELLBEING

It helps to talk

We all experience difficult emotions over the course of our lifetime. Often this can resolve by tapping into our own coping strategies and individual support systems. At other times, we just need to talk and feel heard.

It is my absolute passion to help people; to hold the space for people to express their thoughts and feelings and to even come to their own conclusions of what they need to feel better. When people take this beautiful, facilitated journey, they often arrive at a place they didn’t expect, and like a ‘light bulb’ moment, they know intuitively what they need to do. It’s a liberating and empowering moment.

Michelle’s approach

I recently asked a client how they would describe my services and what would be helpful for people to know about me. This is what they said:

You (Michelle) are more than a counsellor, psychologist or psychiatrist; you are a mix of all of them. You can relate on the psychotherapy side and can input on the clinical side because of your mental health nursing experience. Not many people in private practice have that background and your wealth of experience from the UK and Australian health services. I particularly like your place-based approach of not being stuck in a room; we can go for a coffee or a walk, which is a more modern way of doing therapy, but the option for a clinic room is good too. (AT, Sydney)

My approach is tailored to your needs in each session, in a flexible and holistic way. Sometimes people just want to express their thoughts and feelings; at other times, they want guidance to connect with the underlying cause of what is wrong and find a way back to our own sense of balance.

Sometimes, people have very practical matters to work through, requiring problem solving and someone to bounce ideas off. The white board comes out; options are considered, and lists drawn up to stay accountable to your goals. I have been known to do cooking classes for people wanting skills training; jigsaw puzzles and mindfulness colouring in for diversional therapy. For people needing to settle their nervous system, we might turn to breathing and meditation practices or specific workshops to break the cycle of anxiety and panic.

Liaising with other agencies in the Hawkesbury, such as the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and Pink Finss cancer charity, is a strength. I can help with care coordination and case management between services, including your GP and other healthcare providers.

MENTAL HEALTH referrals & Rebates

Referral pathways – mental health

You don’t need a referral to see Michelle. However, if you have a low income and need financial assistance, there are two referral pathways for mental health clients:

1. Wentworth Healthcare (Nepean Blue Mountains Primary Health Network – NBM PHN). These plans are preferable for people who cannot afford gap payments. If you have a Centrelink Healthcare card, there are a range of plans available to you, that are paid in full by the health service. For people without a Centrelink Healthcare card, there are a few mental healthcare plans available that are paid in full by the health service. For a referral under this program, please see your GP.
2. Medicare, under the GP Management Plan (item 721 or review item 732) and Team Care Arrangements (item 723 or review item 732). Under the GP mental healthcare plans, you are required to pay for the consult in full, after which you will receive a Medicare rebate. These plans allows for up to 5 consultations per year. For a referral under this program, please see your GP.

You can book an appointment to see Michelle by calling her directly or by booking online via the ‘book now’ button on the top right corner of this website.

REBATES

Medicare rebates are available for people on GP Chronic Disease Management plan (GPMP) and Team Care Arrangements (TCA).

Wentworth Healthcare mental health plans cover the cost of consultations for people who are referred by their GP.

National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) service provision is available for people who are on self-managed or agency-managed plans.

Cost & payment

Clients who engage in their treatment and attend regular follow-ups experience the most significant benefit from mental healthcare. Treatment can then evolve as we connect with the underlying mind-body cause of what is wrong, work through layers of dis-ease and restore dynamic health.

Mental health consults (1 hour): $175 + GST
Short phone consults: $90 + GST

Please talk to Michelle about referral or payment options if you are on a low income or have genuine financial difficulty.

* Payment can be made by cash or eftpos/credit card at the time of consultation. For online consultations, Michelle will email an invoice after the consultation.

from the client