Terri-ann Spence Psychology

09/02/2024

"For many Australians under 30 with mental health concerns – one in seven, according to government statistics – the increase of Medicare-subsidised psychology sessions from 10 to 20 during the pandemic was life-changing. The fact that services were subsidised was seen as a significant benefit."

In the 12 months since Medicare-subsidised psychology sessions went from 20 back to 10, young Australians have suffered detrimental impacts to their mental health.

26/01/2024

Today's Guardian highlights AAPi's call for additional psychology sessions to be reinstated, along with a higher Medicare rebate, in light of new statistics on su***de and self-harm released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare which showed higher figures in 2022 across New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria.

AAPi Director Carly Dober said: "Research tells us, overall, Australians are feeling more mental health distress than they were last year, and in the years before that.

“The cost of living has made more people financially stressed or strained and has made them … make difficult decisions about where their money goes with no real end in sight.

“Unfortunately, that means that people are either rationing their treatment … or it means that people are foregoing their sessions in general because they actually can’t afford it.”

Read the full article: https://ow.ly/7cvg50QtNfN

14/01/2024

AAPi Director Carly Dober wrote an article for The Canberra Times about the importance of neurodiverse families receiving access to mental health and psychology services.

"The current state of accessibility and affordability to psychology services, in particular for neurodiverse families, is a matter of pressing concern and demands immediate attention and action."

"The Australian Association of Psychologists Incorporated stands in firm agreement with the need for enhanced screening, assessment and treatment support for neurodiverse children, as pointed out in these pages."

"One crucial step towards improving mental health support for students is the introduction of more psychologists in schools, establishing a minimum of one psychologist for every 500 students."

“Allowing provisional psychologists to offer Medicare rebates to their clients would potentially increase the total number of individuals providing psychological services by 22.5 per cent. This substantial increase would play a pivotal role in addressing the growing demand for mental health services and bridge the gap in the availability of qualified professionals.”

Carly also noted the need for a significant increase in the Medicare rebate for the clients of all psychologists, which is necessary and long overdue. This increase would reduce out-of-pocket expenses, ensuring mental health services are more accessible, especially for those in lower socioeconomic areas. It would increase bulk-billing rates, making psychological support available to a broader segment of the population.

Carly states that to address this crisis effectively, the government must spearhead critical changes that prioritise the mental wellbeing of the nation's youth.

Read the full article here: https://bit.ly/47yZui4

09/06/2023

"It takes a lot of courage to go and see a psychologist", "A lot of people get turned away because they can't afford it or the psychologist is booked up.
"You wouldn't want to break your leg, and then someone say, 'oh sorry you have to wait for six weeks before you can come in'."

The Gold Coast faces "unique" challenges for mental health services, as psychologists warn they cannot meet demand unless training pathways are reformed and Medicare rebates are increased.

03/09/2022

Thank you for taking the time to find out more about the therapy services that I offer.