Programs for adults and older adults

Think about the following questions:

• Do you find it hard to stop worrying?
• Do you find it hard to meet new people?
• Are you avoiding things because you are nervous?
• Do you feel grumpy and irritable?
• Do you feel flat?
• Are you tired all the time, or don’t seem to want to do the things you used to enjoy?

If you answered yes to any of the above, this program may help you.

Download the Ageing Wisely brochure to help you recognise the symptoms of worry, anxiety, depression and low mood in yourself and others. These symptoms can be hard to detect in older adults.

The Ageing Wisely program is currently part of our older adult research clinical trials.

To participate:

1. complete a brief intake call with one of the research assistants. They will assess whether the program is likely to be of benefit to you.
2. we will make an appointment for you to do a more comprehensive interview (either face-to-face or via video conference or telephone) to understand more about your symptoms and personal circumstances.
3. we will discuss which of the treatment options would be most suitable for you.
4. after the final session, and at various follow-up points, there will be interviews and some questionnaires for you to complete. This is so we can evaluate if the benefits are maintained for the longer term.

There are no costs for participating in the Ageing Wisely program.

This clinical trial is co-funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council and Beyond Blue.

You can self-refer to this treatment program, you do not need a referral from a GP or a mental health care plan.

Think about the following questions:

• Are you afraid of being embarrassed or humiliated in front of others?
• Are you chronically shy, unable to speak up or socialise without anxiety?
• Do you have a paralysing fear of public speaking?

If you answered yes to any of the above, this program may help you.

Connections is a 12 week program offered on an individual basis with sessions typically scheduled once per week.

We have chosen to offer an individual approach, rather than group approach, as research indicates that response to treatment is better following individual therapy. This approach also provides you with better flexibility for treatment to be adapted to your specific needs.

When you contact us:

1. you will complete a short phone intake. During this discussion we will check that the areas you are struggling with fit with what the program offers. We will also check for additional problems that are not able to be addressed by our clinic, such as clients who need crisis services, who experiences psychosis, or who are drug or alcohol dependent.
2. we will book you for a one hour assessment at our clinic. At this assessment we will discuss in detail your current concerns and what you would like to gain from the program. Occasionally we may feel that a different program or service is better suited to your needs. If this occurs we will provide recommendations and referral.
3. after the assessment, you will begin individual treatment sessions.

Session costs vary depending on whether you see a clinical psychologist or a registered psychologist.

A Medicare rebate is claimable if a valid Mental Health Care Plan and referral letter has been obtained from your GP (limit of 10 sessions in each calendar year). You can also self-refer to the program, however you will not be eligible for Medicare rebates.

See tailored individual therapy fees for this program.