Primary Health Tasmania (Tasmania PHN) is a non-government, not-for-profit organisation working to connect care and keep Tasmanians well and out of hospital.
We are one of 31 similar organisations under the Australian GovernmentÂ’s Primary Health Networks Program.
The Government has set the following objectives for primary health networks nationally: -increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of medical services for patients, particularly those at risk of poor health outcomes; and -improving coordination of care to ensure patients receive the right care in the right place at the right time.
Our vision: Healthy Tasmanians.
Our purpose: Creating enduring health and wellbeing solutions with the Tasmanian community.
Our activities are based on national priorities set by the Australian Government as well as the identified needs of local communities and priority population groups.
One of the main ways we help the community is by commissioning services to improve the health of Tasmanians. Commissioning involves understanding local priority issues and buying services to address those issues in the most effective and efficient way.
We have commissioned services throughout the state in areas including mental health, Aboriginal health, alcohol and other drug treatment, and rural primary health.
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Services Offered
Primary Health Tasmania has commissioned a range of providers to offer mental health, and drug and alcohol services. The best way to see the full range of available support is through the ‘Our Services Portal’ on the website.
Tasmania PHN facilitates access to psychological therapy services for people with mild to moderate mental illness, who are not clinically suited to lower intensity levels of intervention.
Services are provided by: -registered and clinical psychologists -mental health nurses -occupational therapists -social workers -Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers.
Short-term psychological interventions of up to 12 sessions of care are available under this service.
These services are available statewide, with the following providers operating in each region:
North west: Psychology Caffe, Cornerstone Youth Services
North: Dr Tess Crawley and Associates (also Glamorgan Spring Bay local government area), Cornerstone Youth Services
South: The Link Youth Health Service (Sorell and Brighton local government areas only), Relationships Australia Tasmania (except Glamorgan Spring Bay local government area).
Not all services are physically delivered in every local community, but eligible people in the areas indicated have access to the services either face-to-face or through other means such as phone support. Speak to the service providers or your GP for more information.
Fees and Payment
Counselling services are free, but may require a referral and/or Mental Health Care Plan from your GP.
Services Offered To: Adults Teens Children
Payment: Sliding Scale Pro-bono
If You Call, Please Let Us Know How it Went:
Were You Able to Make an Appointment?
One quick last question. Who was seeking counseling today?
Do you know the reason they are not accepting clients?
A community counseling agency is a group therapy practice that offers affordable mental health services. Most are independent non-profit agencies, state agencies, or publicly-funded agencies. A few may restrict who is eligible for services, so it is a good idea to check when you call.
Community counseling agencies are generally more affordable than other therapy providers, but how much more affordable they are will depend on whether you qualify for a discount or sliding scale fee (or if they accept your insurance). Many, but not all, have a policy that they won't turn away anyone due to inability to pay. You should ask about their fees when you first call.
Expect to talk to kind people who want to help you find the care you need. Most community agencies strive to connect you with a live person within 24 hours, if not immediately. If you're asked to hold or leave a message, don't give up; just leave a message and wait. You should hear back pretty quickly.
Most agencies try to set up an initial assessment appointment within a week (some do within 24 hours), though the waitlist to start therapy is usually longer—about a few weeks on average. If you're not eligible or if the agency is not right for you, it's usually still worth it to call or drop in, because staff are knowledgeable about local options and can often refer you to one.