Looking for a no-cost check up by a Brisbane Psychologist? Would you consider a free Emotional Health Checkup?
Many of us have been to the local GP for our physical health check up, but what about our emotional health? We have been listening to what you believe is important!
We offer this complimentary service to the public to help YOU find the help you need. For example, many people are worried about the cost of therapy, who to choose and how to avoid getting the wrong person or wrong therapy approach.
While talking to the reception staff can be helpful, it is more appropriate that your initial conversation be in confidence with a mental health professional who can explain ways to gain rebates, access psychiatry or medical services, direct you to the “right” person, and ways of integrating counselling and other therapies or treatments.
There is no cost for the 30 minute Emotional Health Check up.
You don’t need a referral as we help you to work out the next step.
The appointment starts with you completing questionnaires regarding your general and emotional health (allow about 20 minutes to complete the questionnaires).
The free service is limited to one face to face appointment and it is best to allocate an hour for your visit. We will be able to provide you with an idea of how you are feeling compared to others, and whether counselling may be appropriate.
If your mental health is comparatively going downhill then you will be provided with a range of options regarding types of therapies, clinicians, and given an idea on the cost of your treatment and whether you would qualify for a rebate. This service aims to assist in matching you to the right type of therapist, and takes a lot of the effort out of the process of finding the “right” person for you. Many of our clients enjoy visiting the clinic, viewing the surroundings, parking and learning more about the process before committing to therapy.
The appointments can be booked by calling (07) 3088 5422 and asking for a “free emotional health check up”.
Common Questions:
What if I’m usually ok, but have some bad days, do I need therapy?
Some people can have a bad day and they don’t need counselling or therapy. Other people can be struggling most days, and find that a bad day is enough to make them feel like there is no escape or better life ahead. Counselling is helpful when people are struggling with life, have many stressors or are overwhelmed because of change.
At your emotional health check up we use a scientifically designed measure of distress that will estimate your need for counselling and also the number of sessions likely needed to treat your level of distress.
I think I might be depressed or have something worse, can you help with identifying a mental disorder?
Psychologists are trained in the assessment and treatment of common disorders like depression or anxiety as part of the requirements for their registration.
A psychologist can help by checking your symptoms for signs of a psychological disorders. If they are familiar with treatment and have special expertise or training of the disorder then they will provide information on what they know scientifically helps. Some of the rarer or more serious disorders can require special training. Most psychologists, mental health accredited social works, counsellors, OT, GPs and psychiatrists have particular areas in which they prefer. All clinicians in our clinic can work with each other to provide specialised assessment, treatment and maintenance for mental health. The team approach works in a similar way to Mental Health Services in that there are different professionals, with different skills and different interests. We enjoy being a team and helping you and your family through difficult times.
What if I can’t afford treatment?
As part of your emotional health check up, we can advise on how you can access rebates if we think you are eligible. Rebates are not necessary to see a professional mental health clinician. Our service provide flexible payment plans for our clients. Flexible payment plans are organise with our admin team who can process the application with you after you check up. Payment plans work hand in hand with Medicare or Private Health Insurance rebates if you are eligible. It just means you can budget paying for the best person in the first instance. We want you have the best choice of clinicians and therapies, and budget constraints often affect treatment and best way forward for you. At our service paying over a few months or a year or two, might be a better option at the time.
What if I need medication or counselling, how can I work out what is needed?
For common disorders like depression, counselling can be equally effective as medication. If symptoms don’t shift with counselling there are many options and mental health professionals are happy to refer you to seek adjunct medication treatments. We will usually recommend visiting your GP if counselling isn’t effective, and a possible specialist appointment with a psychiatrist either in our service or outside our service if appropriate.
I have a family member with a problem and I don’t know what to do?
It is better if you both attend the check up, if you have a family member with a problem. Sometimes couples or a parent/child/teenager will book an emotional health check up each. Parents can attend without a child if that is easier. At the check up you can discuss options of individual counselling and sometimes couple/family counselling which can be helpful. If your family member needs emergency help it is better to see your GP initially as we are not a crisis service. We can help with identifying which type of counselling might help most, given the symptoms and concerns. The allocated mental health expert will usually take a few sessions to assess the problem, provide initial feedback and suggest ways to reduce symptoms. If referral inhouse or to another professional is needed, we let you know when more information is discovered.
I’m a teenager can I see you?
Ideally if you are in high school it would be good to bring a support person, but we welcome young people who want to know about counselling and how it might help. We can also help you if you have a friend that might need counselling. Sometimes teenagers bring their friend along for help if they are worried.
I have a child with behavioural problems, can I talk to you about the issues we are having in the family?
Yes, you can attend with or without your child. Sometime parents will drop by and gain support for themselves at the same time they book their child to see a therapist for counselling. With family situations helping the parent help the child, or helping the child directly is a bit tricky and with time and the right mental health expert you will find the best way.
My whole family has been through a tragedy, can you help us?
Yes, we can work through a treatment strategy that will help all your family. Sometimes this includes a stepped approach of helping those in most need first, then the helpers, then building resilience through enhanced coping and motivation to get through the challenges caused by the event that was traumatic. It is very important to ensure you look after yourself in the first place. Make you you are physical safe and when you have the mental space to help your family then please consider an emotional health check up a good place to start.
If you have further questions or would like to book your free Emotional Health Checkup with Katalin Mezei, please fill out the Contact Form or call M1 Psychology Brisbane on (07) 3067 9129.