How to find and book a psychologist in Sydney in 2026, including how to get a Mental Health Treatment Plan, what to expect from therapy, and
Health Desk is a contributing writer covering health and public affairs for The Sydney Times.
A Mental Health Treatment Plan is a plan developed by a GP in collaboration with you that outlines your mental health treatment goals and the services you need to achieve them. The plan allows you to claim Medicare rebates for psychological services delivered by a psychologist, occupational therapist, or social worker. As of 2026, the plan provides rebates for up to 10 individual and 10 group therapy sessions per calendar year.
To get a Mental Health Treatment Plan, you need to make a long appointment with your GP. The appointment must be at least 20 minutes long. During the appointment, your GP will ask you about your symptoms, your daily functioning, and your treatment goals. If the GP considers that you would benefit from mental health treatment, they will complete the plan and refer you to a psychologist or other mental health professional. The plan is valid for 12 months.
A psychology session is a structured conversation between you and a psychologist. The psychologist will ask you about your symptoms, your thoughts, your feelings, and your behaviours. The psychologist will work with you to identify patterns that are causing you distress and develop strategies to manage your symptoms. Sessions usually last 50 to 60 minutes.
There are several types of psychological therapy. Cognitive behavioural therapy focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns. Acceptance and commitment therapy focuses on accepting difficult thoughts and feelings and committing to actions that are consistent with your values. Psychodynamic therapy focuses on understanding how past experiences influence current behaviour. Your psychologist will recommend the type of therapy that is most suitable for your needs.
The Australian Psychological Society has a searchable directory of psychologists at APS Find a Psychologist. The directory allows you to search by location, area of expertise, and bulk billing status. When you search for a psychologist, consider the following factors:
Area of expertise. Psychologists specialise in different areas, including anxiety, depression, trauma, relationships, eating disorders, and child psychology. Choose a psychologist who has experience working with people who have similar concerns to yours.
Therapeutic approach. Psychologists use different therapeutic approaches. Some psychologists use cognitive behavioural therapy, while others use psychodynamic therapy or acceptance and commitment therapy. You can ask the psychologist about their approach during your first session.
Fees and billing. The Medicare rebate for a standard psychology session is $96.65 for a clinical psychologist and $77.90 for a registered psychologist as of 2026. If the psychologist bulk bills, you do not pay the gap. If the psychologist does not bulk bill, you may be asked to pay a gap fee of $50 to $150 per session.
Location and availability. Consider the location of the psychologist's practice and the availability of appointments. Some psychologists have long waiting lists, so it is worth calling several psychologists before making an appointment.
Several psychology practices in Sydney bulk bill standard psychology sessions for patients with a Mental Health Treatment Plan. The practices below have been identified as bulk billing for standard sessions as of mid-2026. Verify billing policies with the practice before your appointment.
Lifeskills has several locations across Sydney, including the CBD, Parramatta, and Bondi Junction. The practice bulk bills standard psychology sessions for patients with a Mental Health Treatment Plan. The practice has psychologists with expertise in anxiety, depression, trauma, and relationships.
Acacia Psychology has several locations across Sydney, including the inner west and the north shore. The practice bulk bills standard psychology sessions for patients with a Mental Health Treatment Plan. The practice has psychologists with expertise in child psychology, adolescent psychology, and family therapy.
Mantra Psychology in the CBD bulk bills standard psychology sessions for patients with a Mental Health Treatment Plan. The practice has psychologists with expertise in anxiety, depression, and trauma.
Online psychology services are a convenient alternative to face-to-face sessions. The services below are available to people in Sydney and offer bulk billing or low-cost sessions.
eHeadspace is a free online and telephone counselling service for young people aged 12 to 25. The service is provided by headspace and is available by online chat, email, and telephone. The service is free and confidential.
Lifeline provides free online chat support for people in crisis. The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Beyond Blue provides free online chat and email support for people experiencing anxiety and depression. The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
If you are in crisis or are thinking about harming yourself, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or call 000. Lifeline is a 24-hour crisis support service that is free and confidential. The service is staffed by trained volunteers who can provide immediate support and refer you to further help if needed.
More information about mental health services in Sydney is available at headspace, Beyond Blue, and NSW Health Mental Health.
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