If you're new to the NDIS or are looking to use your plan to see a psychologist for the first time, we've put together everything you should know. From what psychology is, to who can access it and what to expect from your first session, learn if it's right for you.
What is the NDIS?
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is designed to give people with disability the support they need to live the lives they want. People in the NDIS (participants) receive an NDIS plan, which is a funding package tailored to their needs and goals.
What is psychology?
About psychology
Psychology involves the study and support of how people think and behave. Psychologists are health professionals that can support your mental and emotional wellbeing with a range of techniques.
The difference between psychologists and psychiatrists
Psychologists and psychiatrists are not the same. Unlike a psychiatrist, a psychologist is not a medical doctor. So, they cannot prescribe medication.
Psychologists will need to hold a Masters degree or PhD. They also need to be registered with the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA) and listed with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
Psychology is funded by the NDIS while psychiatry is not.
What can psychology help me with?
Improving your mental health
They can work with you using a variety of strategies to address and mental health concerns or conditions linked to your disability.
Getting you through tough periods
You can work on skills like resilience with a psychologist to help you through tough times in your life. Psychologists can offer counselling where you can simply talk through issues with them, or they can work with you using different therapy methods.
Helping other people support you too
Part of a psychologists’ job is providing diagnoses and writing reports that help outline your needs to other people in your life. This can help your other support systems like your school, employers and other specialists know how to work alongside you the best.
Working on specific goals
A psychologist can help you work on some goals you might have related to your emotional and mental wellbeing. Things like social skills, understanding others and processing your emotions in a healthy way are some examples of what they can help with.
How does psychology work in the NDIS?
Accessing NDIS psychology
You can use your NDIS plan to fund psychology if the mental health support you’re after is related to your disability. You also need the right funding. You need to have the ‘Improved Daily Living’ support category within your ‘Capacity Building’ budget in order to pay for your psychology sessions.
If you think psychology would benefit you but you don't have the right or enough funding, speak to your local area coordinator or NDIA planner.
What the NDIS covers for psychology
Psychologists can charge up to $214.41 in NSW, Victoria, Queensland and ACT metro areas. For WA, SA, Tasmania and NT metro areas this price cap is $234.83. The price cap for areas considered ‘remote’ is $328.76 and for ‘very remote’ areas it is $352.25.
These price caps are from the 2022- 2023 NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits document. Check the most recent document for all up-to-date prices and more information.
It’s also important to remember that these figures are price limits. They are not the official “price” set by the NDIS. This means that psychologists are able to charge under this amount if they want to, and you are free to pick a provider that fits within your budget.
These price limits also only apply to funding that is agency-managed or plan-managed. If you self-manage your funding, these price limits don’t apply to you.
When the NDIS doesn't cover psychology
The NDIS doesn’t cover psychology if it’s not considered ‘reasonable and necessary’ for your disability.
Checking that psychology is 'reasonable and necessary'
‘Reasonable and necessary’ is a set of criteria that helps the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) make decisions on what can be paid for using NDIS funding. If something is ‘reasonable and necessary’ it means it is related to your disability and your goals.
A simplified version of the ‘reasonable and necessary’ criteria is below. If you can answer ‘yes’ to each of these 6 questions, then it’s very likely you can use your NDIS funding to pay for it.
- Is this a product or service you need due to a disability?
- Does it help you meet your goals?
- Is it reasonable value for money?
- Is there evidence that this product or service is effective?
- Is this something that you wouldn’t be able to receive from your family or the community?
- Is the NDIS the most suitable funding scheme to pay for this support?
What happens in my first session?
In your first psychology appointment, your psychologist will get to know you, your goals and your needs. They will ask you about your history and what you want to achieve in therapy, which will help them come up with your treatment plan.
Your psychologist may also talk about the type of therapy they do. You’ll begin building rapport with them and you can use the session to ask them questions as well.
Your psychologist may ask you questions about:
- Your medical history and physical health
- Alcohol and drug use
- Career or study
- Finances
- Family and other relationships
- Your goals and hopes for therapy
Confidentiality will also be discussed in your first appointment - psychologists are not allowed to share anything you say to them. There are a few exceptions to this rule, which your psychologist should explain to you.
How do I find the right psychologist?
It’s important to choose a psychologist that is a good fit for you, as you’ll get more out of your sessions together if you’re comfortable. A lot can go into this process, as there are lots of options out there. We’ve put together a blog post on the top 5 things to look for when choosing the right NDIS provider.
You’ll want to consider:
- Your goals for therapy
- Their qualifications and experience
- Their location, fees and availability
- Personal preferences such as cultural background, gender, religion, gender or age
- What therapeutic models they use (for example, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy or Internal Family Systems)
- What areas they specialise in
HeyHubble can find you a psychologist
It can take a lot of research to find the right psychologist for you. HeyHubble can do this work for you by matching you with psychologists in Perth or in Sydney who have capacity to support you. Simply tell us what you’re looking for, and we will connect you with psychologists who meet your needs and preferences.
Sign up here or get in touch with our team by emailing participants@heyhubble.com.au
