What is Mental Health?
 'Mental Health is defined as the condition of being sound mentally and emotionally that is characterised by the absence of mental illness and by adequate adjustment' . Merriam Webster dictionary. In other words when a person is able to cope with life and stress and is able to still function well.

When people experience stress, trauma and difficult life experiences these images, feelings and thoughts can often get ‘locked’ into their psyches. Especially when these experiences occur as a child and the child is unable to make reason of their experience.  After seeing a mindbody psychologist insights around mental health concerns arise. New actions and new behaviours can follow enabling the person to become more whole. ​When people experience stress, trauma and difficult life experiences these images, feelings and thoughts can often get ‘locked’ into their psyches. Especially when these experiences occur as a child and the child is unable to make reason of their experience. Erica sees her job as unleashing the pain and/or confusion around the experience, to get an understanding, and to release and to forgive. Following these insights new actions and new behaviours can follow enabling the person to be the fully developed person they were meant to be.

 Of course no one therapy is right for everyone, that is why Erica, a registered psychologist with a master’s degree in counselling psychology uses a variety of integrative modalities, including Interpersonal therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance Commitment therapy (ACT), Mindfulness based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), hypnotherapy and Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP). The combination of therapies she considers to be a holistic approach to psychology.  

Erica is an advocate of Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) which incorporates mindfulness/relaxation practices as well as restructuring the negative, self-sabotaging thoughts which control us. Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT) is also utilised in her psychological consultations which involves practicing being present in the moment especially with strong emotions one may feel.



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Referral Process
​You don’t need a referral to see a psychologist. You can see a psychologist as a private client. However, you may be eligible to obtain Medicare rebate to subsidies the session fees or claim with your Private Health Insurer. There are a number of referral pathways: Self-referral –  You can claim your session fee through your private health insurance insurer if you have the appropriate cover. Every Health Insurance company and package is different, so it is important that you check with your provider.  If you don’t have insurance, that is okay, you can still see a psychologist however there will be no rebates. GP, Psychiatrist, Paediatrician – You can access Medicare funding if your GP, Psychiatrist or Pediatircia provides you with a Mental Health Care Plan through the Better Access Services. If you meet the criteria for a Mental Health Care Plan, you can access Medicare rebates for up to 10 sessions per calendar year. Make an appointment with your GP to discuss this further. If you have been diagnosed with a chronic health condition, you can access Medicare rebates for a up to five sessions per year with a psychologist under the Chronic Disease Management (CDM) Program (formerly known as an Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) Program). The Medicare rebates provide partial reimbursement as we are a private practice, therefore there will be an out of pocket amount. We aim to keep fees as low as possible to provide easier access to ongoing therapeutic support to effect greater change.