Important Information
Information for Patients & Referrers
For Patients
Our team is comprised of a multi-disciplinary group of clinicians such as psychologists, social workers, and occupational therapists. Regardless of professional background, all of our clinicians are trained in evidence-based psychological interventions to assist you with symptom management, behaviour change, or adjustment to difficult life circumstances. Psychological therapy involves talking therapies and practical strategies to assist in improving mental health. We do not prescribe medication.
Depending on your needs, you will be matched to an appropriate clinician who may provide assessment, diagnosis and/or treatment for a range of mental health concerns.
Some of our treatment services are aimed at early intervention and prevention. So it is NOT necessary to have a major mental illness to benefit from psychological treatment.
Psychologists typically do not have medical training (unlike psychiatrists, who do).
Psychologists do not prescribe medication.
Some psychologists may use the title “Dr” if they have a relevant PhD or Professional Doctorate. For example, Dr Tess Crawley completed a PhD in clinical psychology in 2004.
Not necessarily. You can arrange to be seen without a referral. This is called a self-referral.
We accept referrals from all sources, although Medicare rebates are only available upon referral from your GP with a mental health care plan. It is possible to attend your first session under a fee-per-service basis and then arrange the GP referral. If you are referred by your psychiatrist or paediatrician you do not also need a GP referral.
Please see your GP to discuss a referral and whether or not you are eligible for a mental health care plan.
Where STPI (previously ATAPS) funding* is available, secondary referrals (such as from a child health nurse or school principal) are also accepted. Please call the Launceston office for clarification, as this funding program is based there.
* We are contracted through Primary Health Tasmania to provide STPI-funded services across northern, southern, and east coast Tasmania.
Session fees vary depending on length of session and the qualifications of your therapist. It is best to call the practice to discuss the actual fees that will apply to you.
You will be asked to pay on the day of consultation. You may be eligible for a Medicare rebate, depending on how you were referred. Please note, we do not bulk bill to Medicare.
If you live in areas where we have a contract with Primary Health Tasmania to provide STPI services (northern, southern, or east coast Tasmania), you may be eligible for co-funded sessions with a low out-of-pocket cost (this is limited to low income-earners with mild-to-moderate mental illness).
Our admin team can assist with current fees, and whether or not you are eligible for a Medicare rebate or STPI co-funded services.
For Referrers
A GP referral and Mental Health Care Plan are required for clients to receive Medicare rebates or to be seen under the STPI program co-funded by Primary Health Tasmania. Referrals without a Mental Health Care Plan (and self-referrals) do not attract Medicare or STPI funding, although treatment under the STPI program may commence initially without one as long as there is a relevant secondary referral (e.g., from a school principal, welfare officer, etc).
Please be aware that we do not bulk bill to Medicare.
We welcome referrals from all sources, not only your GP. For example, if you are pregnant and experiencing some anxiety, your obstetrician or midwife is welcome to refer you to us. We will discuss with you whether or not an additional GP referral is also required, but we’re happy to arrange an appointment without one.
Clients may be eligible for STPI services (in eligible locations) upon referral from appropriately qualified professionals (e.g., mental health social workers, psychologists, child health nurses, obstetricians). STPI clients then have up to two weeks to arrange a GP referral.
The STPI (short term psychological interventions) program is co-funded by Primary Health Tasmania, with money from the federal government. It is intended for low income earners with mild to moderate mental health conditions who have a GP referral and mental health care plan. The Crawley Clinic holds a contract with Primary Health Tasmania to provide STPI services to clients across Tasmania, either by telehealth, or face-to-face in the following regions (and surrounds): Launceston, Scottsdale, George Town, St Helens, Bicheno, Swansea, Triabunna, Hobart, Sorell, New Norfolk, Bridgewater, Kingston, Huonville, Glenorchy and Oatlands. Eligible clients can access up to 18 co-funded sessions. Please check with our office if you would like more information.
PRIVATE CLIENTS: Clients are asked to pay a session fee on the day of consultation (Medicare and private health rebates, where applicable, will be processed on site). Please ask our admin team for the current fee schedule.
THIRD PARTY REFERRALS: Sessions funded by third parties are paid upon invoice to the relevant third party, charged at the appropriate rate recommended by the Australian Psychological Society.
SELF-MANAGED NDIS CLIENTS: We are glad to accept referrals for clients with self-managed NDIS funding. These clients will be asked to pay for their session on the day of consultation at the usual rate.
BULK BILLING: We are not a bulk billing practice. If you are a Tasmanian client under financial pressure, please ask us about eligibility for the STPI program.
Self-referrals are gladly accepted. This simply means you may contact our office directly to book in to see one of our clinicians without a referral from a GP (or other professional). As with all private fee paying clients, self-referred clients are asked to pay for their session on the day of consultation. Medicare does not provide rebates for self-referred clients, however clients should check their private health fund for rebate information.