Taking care of your mental health is one of the most valuable investments you can make in yourself. Whether you’re experiencing stress, anxiety, low mood, or simply need some extra support, talking to a psychologist can make a world of difference.
At Insight Body and Mind in Aberfeldie, we believe that accessing mental health care should feel simple and supportive not overwhelming. If you’ve heard about *Mental Health Care Plans* or *Medicare rebates* but aren’t sure how they work, you’re not alone.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through exactly what a Mental Health Care Plan is, how to access one, and how it can make seeing a psychologist more affordable and accessible.

What Is a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP)?

A Mental Health Care Plan (sometimes called a GP referral for psychology) is a structured plan created by your general practitioner (GP) to support your mental wellbeing.

It allows you to access Medicare rebates for sessions with a registered psychologist, making professional support more affordable.

Under a Mental Health Care Plan, you can receive:

Up to 10 rebated psychology sessions per calendar year
The option to use these with a Provisional, Generalist, or Clinical Psychologist
A personalized care approach that may include therapy, lifestyle changes, or referrals to other health professionals

Step-by-Step: How to Access a Mental Health Care Plan

Here’s how to navigate the process, from start to finish:

Step 1: Book an Appointment with Your GP

Schedule a longer (double) appointment with your GP to allow enough time for discussion. Let the receptionist know it’s for a Mental Health Care Plan, so your GP can prepare accordingly.

During this appointment, your GP will:

Talk with you about how you’ve been feeling
Discuss your symptoms or concerns
Complete a short wellbeing questionnaire
Create your personalised Mental Health Care Plan
Provide a referral to a psychologist (you can request a specific one or receive a recommendation)

Step 2: Choose Your Psychologist

You can take your GP referral to any psychologist you wish — including our team at Insight Body and Mind.

Whether you’d like to work with a Provisional, Generalist, or Clinical Psychologist, our friendly team will help match you with the right practitioner for your needs and preferences.

Step 3: Attend Your Psychology Sessions

Once your plan is in place, you can begin your sessions. You’ll pay the session fee upfront and then claim your Medicare rebate (typically processed electronically on the spot).

Step 4: Review and Continue Support

After your first six sessions, you’ll return to your GP for a review appointment. Your GP will check in on your progress and, if appropriate, provide a referral for the remaining four sessions (up to 10 in total per year).

If you need ongoing support beyond this, your psychologist and GP can discuss other options, such as private sessions or future care plans.

Do You Need a Care Plan to See a Psychologist?

No, you can absolutely see a psychologist without a Mental Health Care Plan.
Many clients prefer to start privately and decide later if they’d like to access Medicare rebates.

Whether you come through a care plan or privately, the quality of care and level of support you receive at Insight Body and Mind remains the same.

How Insight Body and Mind Makes It Simple

Our Aberfeldie wellbeing studio, located near Essendon, offers a calm, welcoming space where you can explore your mental health journey with ease.

Here’s how we make the process simple:
We can guide you through the steps of organising a care plan with your GP
Our admin team helps you understand rebates and claiming
We offer transparent pricing and flexible appointment options
Our psychologists Provisional, Generalist, and Clinical provide personalised, evidence-based support

We also take a holistic approach to wellbeing, combining psychology, osteopathy, yoga, barre, and Pilates to support both your mind and body.

Taking the First Step

Accessing mental health care shouldn’t be complicated. With a Mental Health Care Plan, support is closer and more affordable than you might think.

Whether you’re feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or simply want to priorities your wellbeing, our caring team of psychologists at Insight Body and Mind is here to support you every step of the way.