Finding a psychologist you can afford matters, particularly when you are already struggling. Financial pressure can make starting therapy feel difficult, even when something in your life has become unbearable or you recognise that you need support.
At Bita Psychology, I offer bulk billed psychology sessions for eligible people who want to begin treatment and make a commitment to their therapeutic work. My practice is based in Hawthorn and Belgrave, Melbourne, with online appointments also available. We can discuss your circumstances, Medicare eligibility and how to make attending sessions financially possible.
What does bulk billing mean for psychology sessions?
When a psychology session is bulk billed, the psychologist accepts the Medicare benefit as full payment for that eligible appointment. You do not pay a gap fee for that session.
This differs from a privately billed appointment, where you pay a fee and Medicare reimburses part of the cost. Having a Mental Health Treatment Plan does not automatically mean that every psychologist will bulk bill. The billing arrangement needs to be confirmed with the practice. Services Australia explains these payment arrangements.
If you are looking for a bulk billing psychologist in Melbourne, you are welcome to contact me to discuss availability and whether this arrangement is appropriate for your treatment.
How many psychology sessions does Medicare cover?
Through Australia’s Better Access initiative, eligible patients can receive Medicare benefits for up to 10 individual mental health treatment sessions per calendar year, from January to December. Your doctor assesses whether you meet the eligibility requirements. Read about Better Access eligibility.
An initial referral generally covers up to six sessions. If further sessions are appropriate, you return to your referring doctor for review and another referral, within the annual limit. Sessions already used with another eligible practitioner count towards the same allowance; changing psychologists does not restart it. See Medicare’s referral requirements.
These arrangements provide an opportunity to begin treatment. They do not determine how much time a particular person may need to work through their difficulties.
How to get a referral and send it to my practice
Start by booking an appointment with your usual GP or a GP at your MyMedicare registered practice. Tell the receptionist that you want to discuss your mental health and a Mental Health Treatment Plan, so they can arrange an appropriate appointment. Current Better Access rules explain this referral pathway.
Speak with your doctor about what has been troubling you and how it affects your life. If appropriate, your doctor can prepare a Mental Health Treatment Plan and a referral for psychological treatment. You can ask for the referral to be addressed to Bita Riazati at Bita Psychology.
Please send your referral letter and treatment plan to bitariazati@pm.me before your first appointment. Your GP can also forward them with your consent. To enquire about appointments, use the Bita Psychology booking form or call 0433 781 919. Mention that you would like to discuss bulk billing.
What can we work on in the first six to 10 sessions?
The beginning of therapy gives you space to speak about what is difficult now. This might involve anxiety, depression, grief, troubling thoughts, relationship difficulties or an experience you have struggled to put into words.
We can begin to explore what feels unbearable, when your difficulties arise and what keeps repeating. Your account matters: how you experience your suffering, the questions you have about it and what you hope might change.
You do not need to arrive with a clear explanation or a finished list of goals. Part of the work is discovering what you want to work on. These early sessions also allow us to consider whether working together is helpful and what continuing treatment would involve.
A commitment to treatment that takes finances seriously
My offer is intended for people who want to make room for therapy and engage with their treatment. Commitment can begin with a willingness to attend regularly, speak about what concerns you and explore difficulties as they emerge.
It does not require certainty about therapy or the ability to pay a substantial fee. Financial circumstances belong in our discussion. We can use the initial sessions to consider what you can realistically afford and whether we can agree on a sustainable arrangement for continued work.
What happens after the 10 Medicare sessions?
We can discuss continuity before your Medicare allowance runs out. Further individual sessions beyond the Better Access annual limit are privately funded, and any ongoing fee would be discussed and agreed in advance. An affordable arrangement needs to be workable for both of us. Beginning with these sessions does not oblige you to continue treatment beyond this period.
People searching for bulk billed psychotherapy sessions should also know that Medicare covers eligible services under specific rules; it does not automatically cover every form of psychotherapy or psychoanalysis. Eligibility depends on the practitioner and the treatment provided. See the Medicare service requirements.
Information for GPs in Melbourne and Victoria
GPs seeking bulk billing psychologists in Melbourne or Victoria are welcome to enquire about referrals to my practice. Please include a valid referral, the number of sessions requested and relevant clinical information. Availability and billing arrangements can be confirmed before treatment begins, with attention to both the patient’s immediate difficulties and the possibility of ongoing care.