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At Nelson Bay Psychology, we value strong partnerships with local GPs and health professionals. Our goal is to provide timely, evidence-based psychological assessment and treatment to support the wellbeing of your patients, while ensuring clear communication and continuity of care.

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Services Offered

• Individual Therapy for children, adolescents, and adults (including trauma, mood and anxiety disorders, adjustment difficulties, relationship concerns).

• Couples and Family Therapy, using evidence-based frameworks such as Gottman Method and Acceptance & Commitment Therapy.

• Comprehensive Assessments: including autism spectrum (MIGDAS-2, parent/teacher interviews), ADHD, learning difficulties, and adaptive functioning.

• Specialised Interventions: EMDR for trauma, psychodynamic and attachment-based approaches, cognitive-behavioural therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy.​

 

Matching Therapies to Patient Needs

At Nelson Bay Psychology, we use a range of evidence-based therapies. Below is a guide for GPs to help match common presentations with suitable interventions.

 

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

• Best suited for: Anxiety disorders, depression, obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, phobias.

• Focus: Identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviours.

• Typical patient: Motivated, able to reflect on thoughts/behaviours, benefits from structured “homework.”

 

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

• Best suited for: Chronic health conditions, stress, workplace burnout, adjustment disorders.

• Focus: Building psychological flexibility, values-based living, mindfulness.

• Typical patient: Those struggling with avoidance, rumination, or needing help reconnecting with values.

 

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation & Reprocessing)

• Best suited for: Trauma and PTSD (single-incident or cumulative trauma), first responders, accident survivors, childhood trauma.

• Focus: Processing distressing memories, reducing emotional reactivity, restoring a sense of safety.

• Typical patient: Those with trauma memories, flashbacks, or nightmares that still feel “stuck.”

 

Psychodynamic / Attachment-Based Therapy

• Best suited for: Personality difficulties, chronic relationship patterns, complex trauma.

• Focus: Exploring underlying emotional and relational dynamics, building self-understanding.

• Typical patient: Individuals with longstanding patterns of distress or difficulties in close relationships.

 

Couples & Family Therapy (e.g., Gottman Method)

• Best suited for: Relationship distress, communication breakdown, parenting conflict.

• Focus: Improving communication, rebuilding trust, aligning values.

• Typical patient: Couples or families seeking structured support to improve connection and reduce conflict.

 

Child & Adolescent Interventions

• Best suited for: Autism, ADHD, behavioural challenges, emotional dysregulation.

• Focus: Developmental assessments, behavioural strategies, parent coaching, social–emotional skills.

• Typical patient: Children requiring tailored support, often with school/family involvement.

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Referral Pathways

• Medicare Better Access: Patients referred under a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan can access Medicare rebates for up to 10 individual and 10 group psychology sessions per calendar year.

• WorkCover / DVA / NDIS: We accept referrals under workers’ compensation, Department of Veterans’ Affairs, and NDIS (self- and plan-managed).

• Private Health: Rebates may be available depending on a patient’s health fund.​

 

Communication with GPs

We provide:

• Timely correspondence: Initial assessment reports and progress updates are sent promptly to referring GPs.

• Collaborative care: We are happy to discuss cases by phone or email where clinically appropriate.

• Clear recommendations: Reports outline diagnosis (where relevant), treatment plans, and practical recommendations for both patient and GP.

 

How to Refer

• Fax / Secure Messaging: 0249812755

• Email: clinic@nelsonplaza.com.au

• Phone enquiries: 0249812555 – for urgent referrals or to discuss patient suitability.​

 

Mental Health Treatment Plans

Patients require a Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) from their GP, psychiatrist, or paediatrician to access Medicare rebates for psychological services under the Better Access Initiative.

 

What’s Involved

• Preparation: A standard GP consultation (usually 20–40 minutes) in which the GP assesses the patient’s mental health needs, records relevant history, and sets goals for treatment.

• Referral: The MHTP is accompanied by a referral letter to the psychologist, specifying the number of sessions approved (usually an initial block of up to 6 sessions).

• Review: After the first 6 sessions, a review by the GP is required to approve an additional 4 sessions (maximum of 10 individual sessions per calendar year).

 

Key Points

• A valid MHTP (not just referral letter) is essential for the patient to claim Medicare rebates.

• The psychologist provides a progress letter back to the GP after the initial sessions, and again at the completion of treatment (or earlier if clinically indicated).

 

Medicare Billing Information for Psychology Rebates 

• Clinical Psychologist (in‑person, 50+ mins; Item 80010): Rebate is $145.25 

• General (Registered) Psychologist (50+ mins; Item 80110): Rebate is $98.97

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