Get to know your mental health service providers in Australia
Services provided by trained and registered mental health practitioners

A counsellor provides support, guidance, and a safe space for individuals to discuss and work through personal challenges. They listen actively, offering empathy and understanding, while helping clients explore their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Counsellors use various therapeutic techniques to help clients develop coping skills, manage stress, improve relationships, and navigate difficult life situations. They work with people of all ages, addressing issues like mental health concerns, family dynamics, career choices, or emotional well-being, and they assist clients in making informed decisions to promote personal growth and healing.

Read more at ACA, PACFA, ARCAP

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A general practitioner (GP) plays an important role in managing mental health by providing initial assessments, offering support, and referring patients to specialized care when necessary. GPs are often the first point of contact for individuals experiencing mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression, stress, or mood disorders. They can diagnose common mental health conditions, offer counseling or brief interventions, and prescribe medication, such as antidepressants or anti-anxiety drugs, when appropriate. Additionally, GPs provide ongoing monitoring of a patient's mental health, adjusting treatment plans as needed, and they can refer patients to mental health professionals, like therapists, psychiatrists, or counselors, for more specialized care. They aim to provide holistic care by addressing both physical and mental well-being.

Read more at MBA, RANZCGP

A social worker helps individuals, families, and communities navigate challenges and improve their well-being. Social workers provide support in various settings, such as healthcare, schools, government agencies, and private practice. They assist clients by assessing their needs, connecting them with resources and services, and advocating for their rights. Social workers address a wide range of issues, including mental health, poverty, housing, substance abuse, and child welfare. In addition to offering emotional support and counseling, they often help clients develop skills to manage difficult situations, work through crises, and improve their overall quality of life. Social workers play a key role in promoting social justice, ensuring access to necessary services, and fostering empowerment for vulnerable populations.

Read more at AASW

A psychologist is a trained mental health professional who specializes in studying behavior, emotions, and thought processes. They use a variety of therapeutic techniques to help individuals manage and overcome psychological challenges. Psychologists conduct assessments, administer tests, and diagnose mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, and personality disorders. They typically provide talk therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), to help clients understand and change unhealthy thought patterns and behaviors. Psychologists also offer support in managing stress, coping with life changes, improving relationships, and enhancing personal growth. While they cannot prescribe medication (unless they are specifically licensed to do so), psychologists work closely with other healthcare professionals to ensure comprehensive treatment for their clients.

Read more at PBA

An occupational therapist (OT) helps individuals of all ages perform everyday activities, or "occupations," that are important to their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. They work with people who are experiencing difficulties due to injury, illness, developmental conditions, or disabilities. OTs assess their clients' abilities and challenges, then develop personalized treatment plans that may include exercises, adaptive techniques, or the use of assistive devices to improve motor skills, coordination, and cognitive functioning. They also help individuals modify their environments or routines to support greater independence in daily tasks, such as dressing, cooking, or returning to work. Ultimately, the goal of occupational therapy is to enhance the client’s ability to live a fulfilling and functional life.

Read more at OTB

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in diagnosing, treating, and managing mental health conditions. Unlike other mental health professionals, psychiatrists are licensed to prescribe medication, and they often do so as part of a treatment plan for conditions such as depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or other mental health disorders. In addition to prescribing medication, psychiatrists can also provide psychotherapy (talk therapy) or collaborate with other healthcare providers to ensure a comprehensive approach to treatment. They assess both the psychological and biological factors affecting mental health, using a medical perspective to create personalized treatment plans that may include medication, therapy, or other interventions aimed at improving the patient's mental and emotional well-being.

Read more at RANZCP, NAPP