Addressing the Mental Health Crisis: New Initiative to Boost Access to Psychologists in Underserved Areas

In response to the increasing need for mental health care and the severe shortage of psychologists in Australia, Therapy Pro has announced the launch of its new Provisional Psychology Internship Program.

With the support of grant funding from the Department of Health and Aged Care, this initiative will provide paid internships to 85 provisional psychologists over the next three years. The program's combination of primary and secondary supervision, diverse client experiences and professional coaching aims to bolster the landscape of mental health support available to the community.

A recent report by the McKell Institute highlighted the significant rise in mental health issues across Australia, with psychological distress among young workers doubling during the pandemic from 15% to 30%. 

Workforce shortages to support this growing need are acute, with 38% of psychologists unable to take new clients and 52% of those on waiting lists waiting more than 4-6 weeks. The economic cost of mental ill-health is up to $70 billion annually. 

Positioning provisional psychologists to services key areas such as child and youth, community mental health and regional and remote areas aims to help alleviate these shortages, improving access to critical mental health services.

"Through this program, we're building a pathway for future psychologists to make a tangible difference in areas that need it most," 

said Therapy Pro Managing Director, Phil Laidlaw. 

"This program is about making high-quality psychological services accessible to all Australians, regardless of their location."

The program will support individuals via a combination of face-to-face and telehealth services, including across rural and remote Queensland, where it is common for clients to wait more than 12 months for psychological services.

About Therapy Pro
Therapy Pro is a leading allied health provider with a focus on delivering high-quality psychology, occupational therapy, social work, positive behaviour support, and speech therapy services across Australia. With extensive experience supporting provisional psychologists through various pathways, Therapy Pro is committed to fostering the next generation of mental health professionals and improving access to care in regional and underserved communities.