Victorian Bushfire Psychological Counselling Voucher Program

Eligible clients

People directly affected by the 2009 Victorian bushfires including:

• People who have received grants paid by the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund

• People receiving or who have received Victorian Bushfire Case Management

• Dependent children (over 5 years of age) of people eligible above

• Family and close friends of people affected by bushfires

• People who have lost their livelihood directly through the effects of the bushfires.

To access the program, eligible people need to submit a short application form, and will be sent the vouchers once the application has been processed.

Referral requirements

There are no referral requirements to access the program. Preparation of a Mental Health Treatment Plan by a GP is not a requirement. People can see an eligible provider of psychological counselling of their own choice and in their own time.

Eligible service providers

• Psychologists, social workers and occupational therapists who have Medicare Provider Numbers and currently provide services under the Better Access to Mental Health Care initiative (Medicare Provider Number must be supplied as evidence of eligibility to participate in the program)

• Psychological counsellors employed in community health services receiving funds from the Victorian Government Department of Human Services.

There is no additional credentialing process required.

Services to be provided

Each voucher is redeemable for a one-hour session of psychological counselling. The vouchers can be used for psychological counselling for individuals, couples and families. For individual and couple sessions, only one voucher is required. For sessions where three or more people are receiving assistance, two vouchers are required. Applicants do not need to use all six vouchers, or attend all six visits with the one service provider.

Treatment modalities must be evidence-based, and recognised treatments for post-disaster recovery such as Skills for Psychological Recovery (SPR) are encouraged. Routine screening for posttraumatic stress disorder should be undertaken.

It is expected that referrals will be made to ongoing supports and services during and after the course of treatment as required by the client. If more intensive treatment is required, service providers should make appropriate referrals such as to the local GP for referral under the Better Access initiative or Better Outcomes Access to Allied Psychological Services (ATAPS) program, or other appropriate services.

Reporting requirements

There are no formal reporting requirements for service providers, but it is expected that a discharge summary/ letter will be forwarded to the applicants' local medical practitioner where an applicant provides consent.

Service fee

Each voucher is redeemable for one hour of psychological counselling to the value of $150, and is expected to cover the total cost of the session. No additional co-payment should be requested from the applicant. No GST is applicable.