Psychology Services

Access to Allied Psychological Services (ATAPS)

What is the ATAPS Program?

Access to Allied Psychological Services (ATAPS) is funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing.  ATAPS was developed to complement the Better Access initiative under which services are delivered by clinicians in private practice.  While Better Access clinicians have been restricted to providing 10 individual and 10 group therapy sessions per calendar year (effective 1 November 2011), ATAPS continues to deliver 12 individual and 12 group therapy sessions which are all free.

ATAPS provides a high quality mental health service for people who have mental health concerns, and is ideally suited to individuals unable to access or afford other private or public mental health services.  The services provided by ATAPS are delivered by qualified mental health practitioners using Focused Psychological Strategies.  The Division’s ATAPS programs include the General ATAPS Program, the Perinatal Depression Program, the Extreme Climatic Events Program, and the Suicide Prevention Service.

What is the eligibility criteria for each Program?

GENERAL ATAPS

(referrals accepted from General Practitioners, Psychiatrists, and Paediatricians)

• Mental health concern of mild to moderate severity
• School students over 11 years of age
• TAFE and University students
• Adults who are unwaged
• People who receive a Centrelink allowance, pension, or hold a valid Health Care Card
• Individuals experiencing financial hardship who cannot afford private services

PERINATAL DEPRESSION

(referrals accepted from General Practitioners, Obstetricians, and Maternal and Child Health Nurses)

• Currently pregnant
• Has given birth in the past 12 months (please note that referrals will not be accepted if the infant is over 12 months of age or is adopted)
• Partners and family members are also eligible if affected by this condition
• Clients may self-refer and receive services for two weeks prior to visiting their General Practitioner, upon triage and assessment by the ATAPS Co-ordinator.  Following this two week period, clients will need to consult their General Practitioner for completion of a Mental Health Treatment Plan to continue access to services.

EXTREME CLIMATIC EVENTS

(referrals accepted from General Practitioners, Centrelink Social Workers, and local Mental Health Services)

• Currently experiencing significant distress and anxiety as a result of loss and trauma associated with an extreme climatic event (flood, bushfire, or cyclone) and who are at risk of developing a mental health disorder
• Clients may self-refer and receive services for two weeks prior to visiting their General Practitioner, upon triage and assessment by the ATAPS Co-ordinator.  Following this two week period, clients will need to consult their General Practitioner for completion of a Mental Health Treatment Plan to continue access to services. 

SUICIDE PREVENTION SERVICE

(referrals accepted from General Practitioners, Hospital Wards including the Emergency Department, local Mental Health Services)

• People who after a suicide attempt or self-harm incident, have been discharged into the care of a General Practitioner from hospital, or released into the care of a General Practitioner from an Emergency Department
• People who have presented to a General Practitioner after an incident of self-harm
• People who have expressed strong suicidal ideation to their General Practitioner
• Support to those who are considered at increased risk in the aftermath of a suicide
• Maximum engagement is for two months but there is no restriction on the number of times an individual may be referred to this service

PLEASE NOTE:  INDIVIDUALS AT ACUTE RISK SHOULD BE REFERRED IMMEDIATELY TO THE ACUTE CARE TEAM AT THE CENTRAL QUEENSLAND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE:

                   4920 6100     Rockhampton and Capricorn Coast

                   4976 3244     Gladstone.

Services provided under the ATAPS Suicide Prevention Service have no impact on an individual's entitlement to Medicare subsidised allied mental health services.

General Practitioners, Allied Health Providers, the ATAPS Co-ordinator and the Suicide Prevention Facilitator may contact the ATAPS After Hours Suicide Support Line and request that a call be made to an ATAPS client if face-to-face services cannot be accessed immediately - call 1800 859 585 available Monday to Friday from 5.00 pm to 9.00 am, and 24 hours on weekends and public holidays.  Alternatively email requests can be made to ataps-afterhours@crisissupport.org.au.

How many sessions are individuals entitled to?

For all programs, eligible clients may access up to 12 free individual sessions (an additional six sessions under Special Circumstances may also apply) and 12 free group sessions per calendar year.

What is the Referral Process?

All ATAPS Programs adhere to Medicare referral guidelines which require General Practitioners to complete a referral letter and a Mental Health Treatment Plan for eligible clients to receive services.

• ATAPS Referral Letter
• ATAPS Mental Health Treatment Plan

• ATAPS Referral letter Practice Software Version (coming soon)
• ATAPS Mental health Treatment Plan Practice Software Version (coming soon)

Once the completed referral documents are received on the Division’s confidential fax line, they are processed and sent to an ATAPS service provider who will then contact the client to arrange an appointment.

For more information please contact the ATAPS Co-ordinator by phoning 4921 7718 or the Referral Process Coordinator on 4921 7738. Alternatively, enquiries can be faxed to 4921 7739 or emailed to referrals@capdivgp.com.

Access to Psychiatrist Support (GP Psych Support) Service

The Access to Psychiatrist Support (GP Psych Support) Service provides General Practitioners with access to patient management advice from Psychiatrists within 24 hours.  To access this service, General Practitioners can:

Telephone:  1800 200 588.  General Practitioners will be asked some brief questions concerning the enquiry and a Psychiatrist will return the call within 24 hours (48 hours in the case of children - refer to www.psychsupport.com.au).

Fax: 1800 012 422.  Using the faxback form on the website, provide details regarding the issue for discussion.  A Psychiatrist will then fax or phone the General Practitioner to discuss case details.

Email:   www.psychsupport.com.au is a secure and password protected website.  General Practitioners can log in and submit questions online.  For a username and password, call 1800 200 588.

Additional Support

Several online treatment programs are available which are mainly self-guided and can be accessed by people who are waiting for a face-to-face appointment; as a follow up to face-to-face appointments; or who are reluctant to engage in therapy arrangements.  Please refer to the Community Section.