Australian psychology glossary

Better Access initiative

Federal program (since 2006) that funds Medicare rebates for psychological therapy delivered by AHPRA-registered psychologists, accredited mental health social workers and accredited mental health occupational therapists, accessed via a GP-issued Mental Health Care Plan. Caps at 10 individual sessions per calendar year (plus 10 group sessions).

Source: health.gov.au

Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP)

GP-prepared treatment plan (MBS item 2715 in surgery, 2717 home / hospital) that documents your mental health concern, sets goals, and refers you to a specific psychologist or class of psychologist for Better Access sessions. Reviewed every 6 sessions (item 2712).

Source: mbsonline.gov.au

Focused Psychological Strategies (FPS)

The set of evidence-based therapeutic techniques Medicare permits under Better Access: psychoeducation, motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioural therapy, relaxation strategies, skills training, interpersonal therapy. Each session must use one or more FPS techniques to be rebatable.

Eating Disorder Plan (EDP)

Specialised treatment plan (MBS item 90250) for patients with an active eating disorder diagnosis, prepared by a GP, paediatrician or psychiatrist. Unlocks up to 40 psychology sessions plus 20 dietetic sessions over a 12-month period. Reviewed at sessions 10, 20, 30 and 40.

Source: mbsonline.gov.au

Extended Medicare Safety Net (EMSN)

Once your family hits the EMSN threshold for out-of-pocket Medicare costs in a calendar year ($2,615.50 general, $811.80 concessional / FTB-A in 2026), Medicare pays 80% of further gap fees for out-of-hospital services, up to a per-service cap. Psychology gaps count; bulk-billed services don’t.

Source: servicesaustralia.gov.au

Bulk-billing

When a practitioner accepts the Medicare rebate as full payment, leaving the patient with $0 out-of-pocket. Optional, at the practitioner’s discretion. Common at headspace (12–25), community mental health, and some low-fee private practices.

NDIS psychology support

NDIS participants with eligible disability can fund psychology under their Capacity Building – Improved Daily Living budget. Hourly rates set by the NDIS Pricing Arrangements. Separate from Medicare Better Access; one practitioner cannot bill the same session to both.

Source: ndis.gov.au

AHPRA

Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency – the national regulator of 16 health professions including psychology. Operates the public register, processes notifications about practitioners and works with each profession’s National Board (e.g. Psychology Board of Australia).

Source: ahpra.gov.au

Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA)

The National Board responsible for registering psychologists, setting standards (Code of Conduct, CPD requirements, supervision standards), and disciplinary matters. Part of AHPRA. Publishes the Code of Conduct and approves areas of practice endorsement.

Source: psychologyboard.gov.au

Clinical Psychology endorsement

AHPRA area of practice endorsement awarded after 2 years of supervised registrar training following a Master’s or Doctorate in clinical psychology. Attracts the higher Medicare rebate ($141.85 vs $96.65) under Better Access.

Educational + Developmental Psychology endorsement

AHPRA endorsement specific to learning and development across the lifespan. Common credential among psychologists doing ASD, ADHD and learning disability assessment.

Provisional Psychologist

A psychologist in the final supervised internship year (4+2 or 5+1 program) before full general registration. Can deliver therapy under formal supervision in an approved program. Register entry shows “Provisional Psychologist” explicitly.

Australian Psychological Society (APS)

The peak professional association for psychologists in Australia. Voluntary membership; sets a separate code of ethics, runs CPD, runs the Find a Psychologist directory. APS Fellows (FAPS) have demonstrated advanced contribution.

Source: psychology.org.au

Accredited Mental Health Social Worker (AMHSW)

Social worker accredited by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) to deliver Medicare Better Access psychological therapy. Items 80155 etc, rebate $85.20/session.

Source: aasw.asn.au

Accredited Mental Health OT

Occupational therapist with mental health endorsement via OT Australia, eligible to deliver Better Access psychological therapy items (80125 etc, rebate $85.20/session).

PACFA

Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia – the peak professional body for counsellors and psychotherapists. Voluntary registration with training and ethical standards; not AHPRA, not Medicare-rebatable.

Source: pacfa.org.au

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

The most empirically supported psychological therapy for anxiety disorders, depression and many other conditions. Time-limited, structured, present-focused. Identifies and modifies unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviours. Typical course: 8–20 sessions.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Third-wave cognitive-behavioural approach. Builds psychological flexibility through six core processes: acceptance, cognitive defusion, present-moment awareness, self-as-context, values, committed action. Strong evidence for depression, anxiety, chronic pain, work-stress.

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)

Structured therapy program developed by Marsha Linehan for emotion regulation and interpersonal difficulties, particularly borderline personality disorder. Combines individual therapy, skills group, phone coaching and consultation team. Year-long commitment is typical.

Eye Movement Desensitisation + Reprocessing (EMDR)

Evidence-based trauma therapy. Uses bilateral stimulation (eye movements, audio tones or tapping) while the patient holds a traumatic memory in mind. Endorsed by WHO and APS as first-line trauma treatment alongside trauma-focused CBT. 6–12 sessions for single-incident trauma; longer for complex.

Exposure therapy

Gradual, planned exposure to feared situations or stimuli to reduce avoidance and anxiety. Core component of treatment for phobias, OCD (exposure and response prevention), PTSD (prolonged exposure), panic disorder.

Schema therapy

Integrative therapy developed by Jeffrey Young for longstanding personality and relational patterns (Early Maladaptive Schemas). Combines cognitive, behavioural, experiential and limited reparenting techniques. Effective for personality disorders, chronic depression. 1–3 year course typical.

Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)

Time-limited therapy focused on improving interpersonal functioning. Targets grief, role disputes, role transitions, interpersonal deficits. Strong evidence for depression, bulimia, perinatal mood disorders. Typical course: 12–16 sessions.

Trauma-focused CBT (TF-CBT)

Manualised, evidence-based CBT protocol for trauma in children and adolescents. Integrates psychoeducation, parent training, gradual exposure to trauma memory. Typical course: 12–25 sessions.

Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)

Trauma therapy for PTSD focused on identifying and modifying “stuck points” – beliefs about the trauma that maintain symptoms. 12-session protocol; strong evidence in veteran and military samples.

Prolonged Exposure therapy (PE)

Manualised PTSD treatment combining imaginal exposure (revisiting trauma memory) and in vivo exposure (approaching avoided situations). Highly effective; intense for the patient. Typical course: 8–15 sessions.

CBT for insomnia (CBT-I)

Multi-component CBT protocol for chronic insomnia – stimulus control, sleep restriction, cognitive restructuring, sleep hygiene. First-line treatment per AASM guidelines. 4–8 sessions typical; online programs (e.g. SHUTi) also effective.

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)

Group-based 8-week program combining mindfulness meditation and CBT, originally developed for relapse prevention in recurrent depression. Now widely applied for anxiety, stress and chronic illness.

Therapeutic alliance

The collaborative working relationship between therapist and patient – agreement on goals, agreement on tasks, and the emotional bond. The single strongest predictor of therapy outcome across modalities and disorders. Many therapists assess it formally at sessions 3 and 6.

Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Chronic, excessive worry across multiple life domains for at least 6 months, with three or more associated symptoms (restlessness, fatigue, concentration difficulty, irritability, muscle tension, sleep disturbance). Lifetime prevalence around 5%. CBT and SSRIs are first-line treatments.

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

DSM-5 diagnosis requiring 5+ depressive symptoms persisting most of the day, nearly every day, for at least 2 weeks – including either depressed mood or anhedonia. Lifetime prevalence around 15%. CBT, IPT, behavioural activation and SSRIs are first-line treatments.

Persistent Depressive Disorder

Chronic low mood lasting at least 2 years (1 year in children and adolescents) with at least two depressive symptoms. Previously called dysthymia. Often co-occurs with MDD (“double depression”).

Bipolar I disorder

Mood disorder defined by at least one manic episode – elevated or irritable mood plus increased energy, decreased need for sleep, grandiosity, pressured speech – lasting at least 7 days or requiring hospitalisation. Depressive episodes also typically occur. Mood stabiliser treatment lifelong.

Bipolar II disorder

Mood disorder with at least one major depressive episode and at least one hypomanic episode (similar to mania but less severe, lasting 4+ days, no psychosis or hospitalisation). Often misdiagnosed as MDD because hypomania may not be brought to clinical attention.

Schizoaffective disorder

Concurrent psychotic symptoms (hallucinations, delusions) and mood-disorder episodes (manic or depressive), with at least 2 weeks of psychotic symptoms in the absence of mood symptoms. Treatment combines antipsychotic and mood-stabiliser medication with psychological support.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Diagnosis after exposure to a traumatic event, with symptoms in 4 clusters: intrusion (flashbacks, nightmares), avoidance, negative cognitions and mood, and arousal / reactivity. Persisting more than 1 month. First-line treatments: trauma-focused CBT, EMDR, prolonged exposure, CPT.

Complex PTSD (CPTSD)

ICD-11 diagnosis following prolonged or repeated trauma (childhood abuse, intimate partner violence, captivity). Includes PTSD symptoms plus disturbances in self-organisation, affect regulation and relationships. Longer treatment course; phased trauma-focused approaches preferred.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Recurrent intrusive obsessions (thoughts, images, urges) and compulsive behaviours / mental acts performed to neutralise distress. Lifetime prevalence ~2%. Exposure and response prevention (a CBT protocol) is the gold-standard treatment; SSRIs are also effective.

Panic Disorder

Recurrent unexpected panic attacks plus persistent concern about further attacks or behaviour change (avoidance). Often accompanied by agoraphobia. CBT (including interoceptive exposure) is highly effective; SSRIs also first-line.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Neurodevelopmental diagnosis with persistent deficits in social communication / interaction plus restricted, repetitive patterns of behaviour, interests or activities, present from early development. DSM-5 specifies severity levels 1, 2, 3 reflecting support needs.

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Neurodevelopmental diagnosis with inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity persisting from childhood. DSM-5 presentations: predominantly inattentive, predominantly hyperactive-impulsive, combined. Lifetime prevalence ~5% children, ~2.5% adults. Treatment combines stimulant medication (prescribed by paediatrician or psychiatrist) and psychological support.

Dissociation

Disruption in the normally integrated functions of consciousness, memory, identity or perception. Ranges from minor everyday phenomena (highway hypnosis) to clinical dissociative disorders. Common in trauma; affects how trauma therapy is paced.

Adjustment disorder

Emotional or behavioural symptoms in response to an identifiable stressor, within 3 months of onset, out of proportion to the stressor. Typically resolves within 6 months once the stressor or its consequences are addressed. Brief therapy is usually sufficient.

Perinatal anxiety + depression

Anxiety or depressive symptoms during pregnancy or up to a year postpartum. Affects ~1 in 5 mothers. Screening recommended at antenatal visits using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). PANDA (1300 726 306) provides specialist support.

Eating disorders – AN, BN, BED, ARFID

Anorexia Nervosa (restriction, low weight, body image disturbance), Bulimia Nervosa (binge-purge cycles), Binge Eating Disorder (recurrent binges without compensatory behaviours), Avoidant / Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (food avoidance without body image). Eating Disorder Plan unlocks 40 psychology sessions / 12 months.

Source: butterfly.org.au

Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-V)

The most widely used individual cognitive assessment for children aged 6–16. Produces a Full Scale IQ plus 5 index scores (Verbal Comprehension, Visual Spatial, Fluid Reasoning, Working Memory, Processing Speed). Used in diagnostic work and learning disability assessment.

WAIS-IV

Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, adult version (ages 16–90). Same general structure as WISC-V. Used in adult ASD assessment, cognitive change documentation, capacity assessment.

Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2)

Semi-structured, standardised observation assessment for autism. Module selected by age and language level. Gold-standard ASD diagnostic tool when combined with developmental history and clinical formulation.

Conners 3 / Conners-4

Standardised parent / teacher / self-report questionnaire for ADHD and related conditions in children and adolescents. Provides T-scores for inattention, hyperactivity, learning problems, executive function.

BRIEF-2

Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function – questionnaire for assessing everyday executive functioning (working memory, planning, inhibition, emotional control). Useful in ADHD, ASD, brain injury and learning disability assessment.

PHQ-9

Patient Health Questionnaire-9 – 9-item self-report depression severity screen. Score 0–27. Widely used in primary care and by psychologists for routine outcome monitoring. PHQ-2 is the 2-item screen.

GAD-7

Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7 – 7-item self-report anxiety severity screen. Used alongside PHQ-9 for routine outcome monitoring in Better Access work.

K10

Kessler Psychological Distress Scale – 10-item screen for psychological distress in the past 30 days. Score 10–50; 25+ suggests likely mental disorder. Often used at GP MHCP intake.

DASS-21

Depression Anxiety Stress Scales – 21-item self-report instrument producing separate scores for depression, anxiety and stress. Widely used in Australian psychology practice.

Suicide risk assessment

Structured clinical assessment of suicide risk factors and protective factors. Most Australian psychologists use a no-suicide-prediction approach: assess current risk, develop a safety plan, identify warning signs and coping strategies, restrict means access. Risk varies dynamically; reassess each session.

Safety plan

Collaborative written plan documenting warning signs, coping strategies, social supports, crisis contacts (Lifeline, treating team, emergency services) and means restriction. Developed during sessions when suicide risk is identified. The patient keeps a copy.

Mandatory reporting

Statutory obligation on psychologists to report suspected child abuse or neglect to the state child protection authority. Triggers and requirements differ by state. Disclosure to make a report is permitted under the Privacy Act and Code of Conduct.

Duty to warn

Ethical obligation to disclose confidential information to prevent serious harm to an identified third party. Australian law and the AHPRA Code of Conduct permit (and sometimes require) such disclosures. Threshold is high; not used for general concerns.

Involuntary admission / treatment order

State-based mental health legislation (Mental Health Act 2014 VIC, Mental Health Act 2007 NSW, etc.) authorising involuntary assessment and treatment when a person presents serious risk to self or others and is unable to consent due to mental illness. Authorised mental health practitioners and psychiatrists are involved; psychologists are not authorised to detain but contribute to assessment.

Lifeline

Free 24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention service. Phone 13 11 14, online chat at lifeline.org.au, text 0477 13 11 14. Trained crisis supporters; not therapy, not record-keeping.

Source: lifeline.org.au

Beyond Blue

National mental health organisation providing free phone (1300 22 4636) and online support, plus large body of self-help resources. Operates 24/7. Funded by Commonwealth and corporate partners.

Source: beyondblue.org.au

13YARN

National crisis support line by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. 13 92 76, 24/7. Free. Culturally safe.

Source: 13yarn.org.au

Kids Helpline

Free, confidential 24/7 counselling for ages 5–25. Phone 1800 55 1800, online chat and email. Operated by yourtown. Specific training in youth crisis support.

Source: kidshelpline.com.au

PANDA

Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia – national helpline (1300 726 306) for parents during pregnancy and the first year postpartum. Free, telephone-based, specialist perinatal training.

Source: panda.org.au

Open Arms

Free mental health support for current and former Australian Defence Force members and their families. Phone 1800 011 046, 24/7. Specialist veteran and military trauma support.

Source: openarms.gov.au

DSM-5-TR

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition, Text Revision (2022). The diagnostic classification system used in Australian psychology and psychiatry alongside ICD-11. Published by the American Psychiatric Association.

ICD-11

International Classification of Diseases, 11th revision. WHO’s global classification system, used by Australian hospitals and Medicare for clinical coding. Mental health chapter is similar to but not identical to DSM-5-TR.

SSRI

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor – class of antidepressant medication including sertraline, escitalopram, fluoxetine, paroxetine, citalopram. First-line pharmacological treatment for major depression, anxiety disorders, OCD, PTSD. Prescribed by GPs and psychiatrists, not psychologists.

CPD

Continuing Professional Development. AHPRA requires registered psychologists to complete 30 hours of CPD per year (with at least 10 hours of peer consultation), plus an additional 10 hours per held endorsement. Documented in a CPD log; subject to audit.

GP MHCP review

A standardised review consultation (MBS item 2712) where the GP reviews progress against the MHCP after the first 6 psychology sessions, allowing the patient to access the remaining 4 sessions in the calendar year.