If you have been meaning to talk to someone and have not been sure where to start, the answer is usually a longer appointment with your GP. A mental health treatment plan is the piece of paperwork that turns intent into rebated sessions with a psychologist.
What a mental health treatment plan is
A GP Mental Health Treatment Plan is a written plan your GP prepares with you. It records what you are experiencing, what you want to work on, what supports you already have, and what the next steps are. It is also the referral mechanism that gives you access to Medicare rebates for psychology sessions under the Better Access initiative.
It is not a diagnosis of anything permanent, it does not go on any public record, and it is not something an employer or insurer can simply request. It is a clinical document that sits in your medical record like any other, protected by privacy law and our practice privacy policy. There are narrow situations where the law requires or permits disclosure, and your GP can explain them.
Since 1 November 2025 these plans are prepared and reviewed either at the practice you are registered with through MyMedicare, or by your usual doctor — the GP or practice that provides most of your care. In practice, that means the person who already knows your history. See mental health care at the clinic.
How many sessions you get
With a mental health treatment plan in place you can claim Medicare rebates for up to ten individual and ten group sessions per calendar year, with an eligible psychologist, mental health social worker or occupational therapist.
How the sessions are structured
- Referrals are usually written for an initial block of sessions, with a GP review before the rest.
- The review is a real appointment, not a formality — it is where you and your GP work out whether the therapy is helping.
- The allowance resets on 1 January, not on the anniversary of your plan.
- You are not obliged to use all ten. Some people need three; some need the full course and a conversation about what comes next.
Whether there is a gap payment for the psychology sessions themselves depends on the psychologist you see. Some bulk bill, many charge a fee with a Medicare rebate applied. It is worth asking when you book with them, and we will point you toward options where cost is a concern.
What the appointment is actually like
Book a longer appointment and say it is to talk about your mental health. That way enough time is set aside and you are not watching the clock.
Your GP will ask how you have been, how long it has been going on, how it is affecting sleep, work, relationships and daily life, and whether anything similar has happened before. They will ask about alcohol and other substances, and they will ask directly about thoughts of self-harm — not because of anything you have said, but because it is asked of everyone and asking it plainly is safer than dancing around it.
You do not need to have it organised in your head beforehand. “I do not really know how to describe it, but something is off” is a completely reasonable opening line. Some people find it easier to write a few notes on their phone first — that works too.
By the end of the appointment you should have a plan, a referral if that is the right step, and a time to come back.
Choosing a psychologist
Your GP can suggest psychologists on the Central Coast who work with what you are dealing with, including who currently has availability — which matters, because wait times vary a lot.
Things worth considering: whether they see people about your particular issue, whether they offer telehealth, what they charge and whether they bulk bill, and whether their availability fits your work. If the first psychologist you see is not the right fit, that is common and it is worth saying so rather than stopping altogether.
Telehealth psychology has made a real difference to access on the Coast, particularly for people who cannot easily get to appointments during business hours. See telehealth.
If you need help sooner than an appointment
A mental health plan is for the medium term. If you need support today, these services are free and available now:
- Lifeline — 13 11 14, 24 hours.
- Beyond Blue — 1300 22 4636, 24 hours.
- NSW Mental Health Line — 1800 011 511, 24 hours, staffed by mental health professionals.
- 13YARN — 13 92 76, for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
- Kids Helpline — 1800 55 1800, for people aged 5 to 25.
If someone is in immediate danger, call 000. If you can get to an appointment but not one weeks away, call the clinic on (02) 4311 3800 and say it is urgent. Reception will look for the earliest appointment available, and we hold some slots each day for urgent problems. See same-day appointments.
This article is general information for people in the Gosford and Central Coast area. It is not advice about your situation and it does not replace a consultation with your own doctor. If you are worried about a symptom, book an appointment or call us on (02) 4311 3800. In an emergency, call 000.
Back to the Health Journal