The Psychological Services Program (PSP) offers short term structured psychological therapies delivered by a range of providers contracted by the Gold Coast Primary Health Network. The program supports people who have a health care card and would benefit from receiving short term therapy for moderate mental health needs. This program is not suitable for people that may need longer term and more comprehensive interventions.

The program is available for people who identify with any of the following groups:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders
• Culturally and Linguistically Diverse
• LGBTIQAP
• Perinatal – have had a baby in the last 12 months
• Children up to 12 years old
• *Children in out of home care (up to 12 years old​) + ​
• *Experiencing or at risk of homelessness
• *or for people who have attempted, or are at risk of suicide or self-harm​

* does not require Health Care/Pension Card

Moderate intensity service

There are multiple organisations funded to provide this service – view the full list of providers here

Structured psychological therapy

• Individual sessions with a psychologist
• 6 sessions per calendar year
• Up to 24 sessions per calendar year for suicide prevention
• Location is based on provider

Clients must meet all the following criteria to be eligible for referral:

• Centrelink Health Care Card or Pension Card (excluded: suicide prevention referrals, homeless referrals and children living in out of home care)
• Meet one of the target groups
• Live in the Gold Coast region

Clients not eligible for Psychological Services include:

• Client with acute mental health needs, or who is under the care of Public Mental Health (i.e. Acute Care or Continuing Care Team, Child Youth Mental Health Service)
• Client living in a government funded aged care facility
• Client whose primary reason for referral is dementia, delirium, tobacco use disorder and/or mental disability
• Children under 12 whose primary reason for referral is for assessment/treatment of a neurodevelopmental disorder including attention-deficit / hyperactivity disorder, Autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disabilities or learning disabilities.
• Client with long term chronic, complex mental health issues e.g. personality disorder, bi-polar, acute psychotic condition
• Client in crisis, and
• Client involved in workers compensation or motor vehicle compensation proceedings.

Clients in the above categories must be referred to more appropriate mental health services; e.g. Better Access, medical assessment, acute mental health services, etc.

• GP referral
• Mental Health Stepped Care Referral Form

Primary and Community Care Services Referral and Triage

• 07 3186 4000
• GCTX@pccs.org.au