PSYCHOLOGY & COUNSELLING SERVICES
Bridges psychology and counselling services are for people with moderate to severe mental illness, addictions, or trauma. This service is delivered throughout regional Queensland.
About our service
When you’re ready, consider Bridges psychology and counselling services. We will work with you to improve YOUR HEALTH AND WELLBEING
Our specialised psychologists and counsellors can help you address:
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negative thinking
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poor motivation
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depressed mood
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lack of energy or fear
There is a strong evidence base supporting the use of psychological services for the treatment of mental illness, such as depression and anxiety.
With Bridges specialist mental health professionals, you can choose to improve your:
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Ability to confront fears
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Relaxation techniques
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Problem solving abilities
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Behavioural responses
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Anger management and distress tolerance
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Communication skills in social settings
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Stress levels in social settings
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Ability to engage in interpersonal interactions
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Quality of relationships
Bridges psychology and counselling services are delivered across Queensland
Our psychology service is available in Bundaberg and the Fraser Coast.
In our Bundaberg Practice, we have a registered Psychologist and accredited registered Counsellors.
In our Fraser Coast, we have Senior Mental Health Clinician, who is a provisional Psychologist who works under supervision from our Psychologist.
Bridges constantly reviews its outreach services throughout regional Queensland.
Access and eligibility into the Bridges psychological service
Our psychology and counselling service receives referrals from:
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Your GP, in line with your Medicare approved Mental Health Care plan
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You, as an NDIS participant
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You, as a member of a private health insurance fund
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You, as a person who chooses to self-fund
To start your journey, contact us about the Bridges Psychology and Counselling Service. Ph: 1300 707 655.
Bridges ‘No Wrong Door’ policy means we’ll help you find the right solution.
Service fees
Our Practice is not government funded. It is our mission to provide clients with a professional service at minimal cost. Your funding options may differ based on your individual circumstances.
Some options include: NDIS, private health insurance, Medicare by referral, or you can opt to self-fund.
Clients who are referred to our service under a Mental Health Treatment Plan will receive a Medicare rebate, with a small out of pocket gap fee to pay.
For clients who hold a concession Healthcare Card or Pension Card, we offer reasonable rates.
For more information about our fees, please contact our Practice Manager on 1300 707 655.
CHILDREN, YOUNG PEOPLE AND FAMILIES
Bridges services for children, young people, and families offer early intervention for mental health issues through individual case management, information and advice, referrals, family plans targeted programs of support.
What we offer
Bridges offers interventions for children and young people between the ages of 0 and 25. These clients may be displaying early signs of mental health issues, like anxiety and/or depression.
Our specialist team of mental health professionals and social workers provide an opportunity for children and young people to discuss their concerns in a safe and supportive environment.
Bridges will work with families through offering support to ensure the young person’s needs are met. We will work with the young person to build their self-confidence, resilience, and address any negative of self-defeating behaviours.
The family unit involvement in this process comes with addressing the child's and/or young person’s needs. This is vital, to ensure that everyone in the family unit is heard, there are opportunities to share concern, resolve issues, build skills and capacity to deal with conflict and/or adversity as part of everyday life.
Bridges approach
The Bridges team understand the importance of a positive, healthy upbringing. Moreover, we understand how this contributes to an individual’s mental health over their lifetime.
Through working with children and young people across a variety of stages of their upbringing, we can provide interventions that build resilience and strong mental health.
To ensure our clients are comfortable in sharing their experiences, we provide a safe and judgement-free space.
Our goal is to support children and young people. We do this by listening to their concerns, validating their feelings, and providing a safe environment where they can learn coping, problem solving, build resilience, and self-worth.
Bridges is culturally sensitive and has Indigenous cultural support workers available.
Our services and programs
Bridges Child, Youth, and Family community mental health team provides a range of services for our clients. These include:
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Family Mental Health Support Services – North and South Burnett
For children and young people aged between 0 and 18 who are showing early signs of mental health issues.
This service receives funds from the Department of Social Services.
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Youth Support Services – North Burnett
For children and young people aged between 8 to 21.
This service receives funds from the Department of Child Safety, Youth and Women.
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Drug and Alcohol Treatment Services – North Burnett, Wide Bay, and the Fraser Coast
For children and young people aged from 12 years old.
This service receives funds from Queensland Health, and the Central Queensland, Wide Bay, Sunshine Coast PHN.
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Breakthrough For Families Queensland
Information and support services for family members impacted by someone’s problematic alcohol and/or other drug issues.
This service receives funds from Queensland Health.
Refer to the service
The Bridges Child, Youth and Family mental health service receives self-referrals, or referrals from other agencies or parents and caregivers where consent is granted.
To start your journey, contact us about the Bridges Child, Youth and Family services. Ph: 1300 707 655
Clients who receive these services from Bridges do not need to pay any fee.
Funding acknowledgement
These Bridges services receive funding from the Department of Health, Department of Social Services: YSS, Community Services Funding Branch, and the Central Queensland, Wide Bay, Sunshine Coast PHN.
ADULT MENTAL HEALTH
Bridges provides community-based mental health (CBMH) services that include both advocacy and practical support to access services to address both psychological and social needs, such as housing, and linking in with employment providers.
People who identify with moderate to severe mental illness and complex needs are eligible for these services.
We have been delivering community-based adult mental health services for over 25 years in regional Queensland.
What we offer
We will help you identify your unique recovery goals and create an agreed recovery plan.
Bridges approach
Bridges focuses on what you need to help you when you’re not feeling well or are experiencing barriers in your life and are seeking additional support.
We work alongside people who identify as having a mental illness. Such condition may be, schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder, depression, anxiety, and/or personality disorders.
We also support those with mental ill-health without a diagnosis who experience barriers, issues, or have adverse life events.
It is our role to help you identify what you need to lead a productive health and fulfilling life. These are determined by you, not us. We capture this in your recovery plan to track progress and build your capacity and connection to your community.
Our service
Our commitment is to work alongside you to build your confidence and access the resources and supports that you need, providing varying levels of support where and when required.
Our community-based mental health team comprises of professionally trained and qualified mental health professionals.
We offer short term interventions and assistance and longer-term support where required. Our services are voluntary, and individually tailored to suit your needs.
To accommodate, there are three programs that our clients will be referred into:
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Individual Recovery Support Program (IRSP)
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Commonwealth Psychosocial Support Program (CPS)
Bridges ‘No Wrong Door’ policy means we will link you in with our other specialist services such as our drug and alcohol treatment service if this is an issue for you.
Referrals & fees
Bridges adult mental health team receives referrals into the respective program from various agencies. These include:
Commonwealth Psychosocial Support Program (CPS) receives referrals from:
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The Primary Health Network (PHN)
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Government and non-government services, GP’s carers etc but must have your consent to refer to us.
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You, as a person who chooses to self-refer
Individual Recovery Support Program (IRSP) can only receive referrals from our local Hospital and Health Service (HHS).
Clients who engage in these Bridges services do not need to pay any fee.
To start your journey, contact our team about the Bridges mental health services. Ph: 1300 707 655
Where Bridges community-based mental health services are delivered
Our community-based mental health services and programs are available in the following Queensland locations.
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Bundaberg Region: Bundaberg, Childers, Gin Gin
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Burnett Region: Gayndah, with outreach to the North Burnett: Mundubbera and Monto
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Fraser Coast Region: Maryborough, Hervey Bay
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Central Queensland Region: Gladstone, Rockhampton
Funding acknowledgement
The Bridges Community-Based Mental Health Services receives funds from Queensland Health Mental Health & Specialised Services Branch and the Central Queensland, Wide Bay, Sunshine Coast PHN.