Information for GPs
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy or CBT is the term used for a school of therapies that share the underlying assumption that people are disturbed not by events in their lives but by their beliefs about those events.
It is a logical and practical approach to help people with their problems; as such it can be extremely empowering and can bring lasting relief after short term treatment.
There are a number of different approaches to cognitive behaviour therapy. The two pioneering therapies, Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy, developed by Albert Ellis in the 50s, and Cognitive Therapy, developed by Aaron Beck in the 60s, have been joined by a number of other cognitive and behaviour approaches.
Other cognitive behaviour therapies include:
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy developed by Stephen Hayes
Mindfulness developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn
Schema Therapy developed by Jeffrey Young
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy developed by Marsha Linehan
A practising cognitive behaviour therapist may use approaches from a combination of these therapies.
Today there is considerable evidence that cognitive behaviour therapy is a very effective therapy. For some problems research indicates that it is actually the treatment of choice.
In practice, the cognitive behaviour therapist helps the client to identify thoughts and beliefs that lead to distress, then explore and re-evaluate those thoughts, before helping the client develop more constructive thoughts and thus more helpful emotions and behaviour.
Better Access Mental Health - IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR GP’S
CBT Australia is a private practice and does not offer clients a bulk bill arrangement
OUR CONSULTATION FEES
Once you've completed a GPMHTP you can refer your patient for a range of mental health services.
There's no standard form for referrals however Medicare states a referral should include:
name
date of birth
address
the patient’s symptoms or diagnosis
the number of treatment services the patient needs to receive
a statement about whether the patient has a GPMHTP, shared care plan or a psychiatrist assessment and management plan.
The number of services stated in the patient's referral is a course of treatment.
The maximum number of sessions a medical practitioner can include on a referral for the initial course of treatment is 6 using the MBS items.
A patient can have 2 or more courses of treatment within their calendar year with a limit of up to 10 services.
Patients need a new referral for each course of treatment.
Referrals are valid for the number of services shown on the practitioner’s referral letter or note. Patients who have unused services at the end of the calendar year can use them the next year without a new referral.
