Australian psychologists are calling on the federal government to increase the number of Medicare-rebated psychology sessions available to victims of complex childhood trauma from 10 to 40.
"I felt really alone, ashamed, worthless. And there were times where I just didn't want to keep going, if I'm honest," she said.It was in therapy where Lily discovered her thoughts and behaviours were a symptom of PTSD that had begun after she was sexually abused as a child. But once all those options — usually lasting about two months — are spent, Lily pays $240 per session out of pocket, for the rest of the year.
"Complex trauma by its nature is complex, 10 sessions does not cut it, you barely really scratch the surface," she said.Ms Dober said some of her clients rationed their sessions to try to make them last, but then often stopped coming altogether because they could not afford the ongoing out-of-pocket cost.
"More public investment in additional psychology places at university could turn this around rapidly, we just need the political will."In October 2020, the then-Morrison government doubled the number of Medicare-subsidised mental health sessions available to patients, to help people during the heightened stress of the pandemic.
It found the additional 10 squeezed the supply of mental health workers and prevented those in lower-socio economic, and regional areas, from accessing care.