What kind of psychological therapies are included with medicare?

Key Summary

• There are different therapies and strategies approved for medicare.

• It’s best to discuss your needs, treatment goals with your medicare mental health practitioner.

A range of acceptable strategies has been approved for use by allied mental health professionals under the Medicare Benefits Schedule:

1.       Psycho-education
(including motivational interviewing)
2.       Cognitive-behavioural therapy including:
·              Behavioural interventions
-      Behaviour modification
-      Exposure techniques
-      Activity scheduling
·              Cognitive interventions
-      Cognitive therapy
3.       Relaxation strategies
-      Progressive muscle relaxation
-      Controlled breathing
4.       Skills training
-      Problem solving skills and training
-      Anger management
-      Social skills training
-      Communication training
-      Stress management
-      Parent management training
5.       Interpersonal therapy (especially for depression)
6.       Narrative therapy (for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people).
7.       Eye-Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing (EMDR)