Program Manager: Wendy Rose

Administration Officer: Kelly Green

Psychologists: Belle Glaskin, Kay Paterson, Marcelle Louise (maternity leave)
GPs practicing in the Canning Division and who are registered with the service can refer patients whom they have assessed as having a mental health disorder for focused psychological sessions. This early-intervention program, funded under the Better Outcomes in Mental Health Initiative, is to give patients affordable, ready access to mental health professionals. The GP remains the case manager.

GP Referral Form click here

Referrals: Referrals to the InFocus Counselling Program require a referral form to be completed by the GP. the InFocus Counselling officail form is the only one which will be accepted and all sections on the form must be completed to comply with the minimum dataset required by the program's funding body. Incomplete forms will result in delays in processing the referral. The completed forms can be faxed to our confidential fax number: 9458 0555.

Patient Eligibility: The target group for this Program are patients who meet the following criteria:
  • Attend a GP practicing in the Canning Division region
  • Have an ongoing relationship with the referring GP
  • Are aged 16 years or over
  • Fit into the ICD-10 categories as per the Referral Form
  • Would benefit from receiving psychotherapy and appear motivated to attend
  • Do not require urgent or crisis care management or have not been diagnosed with an enduring psychiatric illness.
  • Is not part of a Workers’ Compensation or Motor Vehicle Insurance claim
  • Are not receiving mental health counselling elsewhere
  • Are not requiring counseling or assessment as part of ongoing court proceedings
Please note: patients under 16 years of age but close to turning 16 may be eligible depending on their level of maturity. GPs will need to discuss this with one of the psychologists before making the referral.

As our service only provides short-term interventions you may wish to refer patients with complex mental health issues to services who can provide long term assistance. The patient is entitled to 6 x 1 hour sessions per year from date of current referral. Another 6 sessions may be available contingent upon GP review and psychologists recommendation.

Please note: Appointments are made based on date of receipt of referral and not on urgency of case - no triage service is available. If you feel that the patient has an urgent need (i.e. suicidal and at immediate risk / mental health / social crises they can be referred to Mental Health Emergency Response Team (formerly Psychiatric Emergency Team) on 1300 555 788.

Links to Local Community Counselling Services
Infocus Counselling also runs a Suicide Intervention Program for patients at risk of suicide and self harm. this is a pilot program until 31st December 2009.

For information on the Suicide Intervention Program, click here

To Register: GPs wishing to register with InFocus Counselling should contact the Division, at which time an appointment will be made for a team member to visit the practice. To find out more about this service or other mental health services in the region please call 9458 0505 or email infocus@canningdivision.com.au

Operating Hours: The Service is available 8:30am and 5:00pm, Monday to Friday. The service operates from 3 locations: Bentley, Maddington and Armadale. All appointments are made from a central location and not at the individual sites.

Costs: This is a govenment-subsidised service. Patients are required to make a co-payment
  • $10 per session - concession card holders
  • $30 per session - waged/salaried
Please note: patients with financial problems can discuss their circumstances with the psychologists who will negotiate a suitable fee arrangment. As InFocus Counselling is a separately funded Federal Government program under ATAPS, it is not connected to Medicare and the patient will not be able to claim their co-payment.

GP Psych Support> is a free patient management advice service for GPs from a psychiatrist within 24 hours. This service also provides 24/7 crisis counselling and traumatic incident support for GPs and practice teams. GPs can access this service by Tel: 1800 200 588, Fax: 1800 012 422, online: www.psychsupport.com.au


Links to Local Community Counselling Services

Australian Psychological Society - if looking for a private psychologist
www.psychology.org.au Click on "Find a Psychologist" on the right of the home page

Centre for Clinical Interventions - clinical service for adult suffering from anxiety, mood and eating disorders
www.cci.health.wa.gov.au
ph: 9227 4399

Relationships Australia - for relationship counselling
www.wa.relationships.com.au
LocalCall 1300 364 277

Kinway (Gosnells) - for relationship counselling
Ph: 9394 9200

Gosnells Womens Health Service Counselling - for general counselling and perinatal depression counselling and support
www.gwhs.com.au
ph: 9490 2258

Curtin University
Psychology Clinic - for adults and children

www.psych.curtin.edu.au/clinical_services/
ph: 9266 3436

Health Service Counselling - for Curtin University staff and students
www.counselling.curtin.edu.au
ph: 9266 7850 or FreeCall 1800 651 878

Communicare Counselling Services (Cannington)
http://www.communicare.org.au/Family_Services/Counselling_Services
Ph: Cannington - 9451 1100 or Gosnells - 9398 6177

Centrecare Counselling and Support Services
http://www.centrecare.com.au/counselling-support-services/
Ph: 9399 1022

Therapeutic Family Services (Armadale) - for children and youth)
https://www.parkerville.org.au/Therapeutic-Family-Services/therapeutic-family-services.html
Ph: 9399 1022

ARAFMI Mental health Carers and Friends Association - for friends and relatives of mentally ill people
www.arafmi.asn.au or ph: 9228 0577 (Perth)



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