Visit a GP
If you visit your regular GP, they will ask you some questions around how you are feeling and get you to fill out a questionnaire. The terms 'Mental Health Care Plan' and 'Mental Health Treatment Plan' are interchangeable - so you can use either and your GP will know what you're asking for!
If you visit a new GP, make sure before booking that they are able to do Mental Health Treatment Plans, and be aware that they will likely require you to attend two sessions before they will complete one for you.
Request a referral
Your GP can give you options for therapists, or you can ask them to refer you somewhere specific.
The GP will send through your MHTP to the provider, or you can ask them for a copy to send through yourself.
Book a therapy session
You can then follow up with the therapist to book in to their calendar.
The therapist will take all the details from your MHTP and use this to process a Medicare rebate for the session. You are eligible for up to 10 session rebates per year. Your GP will initially refer you for 6 sessions. After that, your psychologist will send your GP a letter describing how things have been going, and request 4 more sessions if needed. You will need to book again with your GP to get this re-referral letter for your psychologist.
