Practitioner Online Referral Treatment Service (PORTS)
Accepting new clients (reported by our users)
Practitioner Online Referral Treatment Service (PORTS)
PORTS is a digital mental health service designed to assist people across Western Australia access free, high quality mental health assessment and treatment.
We are dedicated to help people aged 16+ years with mild-moderate symptoms of low mood, depression, stress, anxiety or substance use problems, who may be having difficulty accessing mental health care for reasons of finances or access.
Our services use digital methods such as telephone, internet and post to help connect people with help across Western Australia and can connect people with face-to-face treatment.
PORTS is free with a referral from a GP or Health Professional. It is funded by the WA Primary Health Alliance
PORTS offer a range of treatment options for people with symptoms of anxiety and depression and substance use problems. Our treatments are evidence-based and employ the well-tested principles of Cognitive and Behavioural Therapy (CBT).
If you are having trouble accessing counselling, please ask your GP or health professional to complete a referral. Following this, a therapist will contact you within 3 business days to discuss treatment options.
PORTS is available to people throughout metropolitan and regional WA. Our service is based at Macquarie University, NSW and partners with ORS Psychology in Perth for face to face counseling.
Fees and Payment
Free, but referral must come from a GP or health professional.
Services Offered To: Adults Teens
Payment: Sliding Scale Pro-bono
Online Counseling: Yes
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.
