Find a Mental Health Professional for Cultural, Social & Community

About Cultural, Social & Community support

Mental health experiences are shaped by culture, community, migration history, faith, and social context. Culturally responsive care is not optional — it is essential to effective support. The practitioners listed here have experience working with cultural adjustment, migration and refugee experiences, racism and racial trauma, faith and spirituality, and specific community groups including FIFO workers, veterans, and emergency first responders. Finding a practitioner who understands your background means you spend less time explaining context and more time working on what matters. Many practitioners in this category speak languages other than English, have lived experience of migration, or have specific training in working with particular cultural communities. If you are a refugee or asylum seeker, or have experienced racism or displacement, specialist services are available that do not require Medicare eligibility.

Support resources

• STARTTS

  NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors. Free culturally informed mental health support for refugees and people from refugee backgrounds.

• Transcultural Mental Health Centre

  NSW-based service providing mental health support and referrals for people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Phone: 1800 648 911.

• Open Arms

  Free confidential counselling for Australian veterans and their families, provided by the Department of Veterans' Affairs.

Further reading

• First Nations mental health services in Australia

  Social and emotional wellbeing support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and how to find culturally safe services.

• How to get a Mental Health Care Plan

  How to access Medicare-rebated therapy sessions through your GP, including what to expect and how many sessions you can access each year.

Frequently asked questions

How do I find a culturally responsive therapist or psychologist in Australia?

Search this directory and look for practitioners who describe experience with your specific cultural background or community. Many practitioners note the languages they speak and any specific cultural competencies in their profiles. The NSW Transcultural Mental Health Centre (1800 648 911) assists NSW callers with referrals to culturally appropriate services. In other states, contact your state's multicultural health unit or local community health centre for culturally informed referrals.

Is mental health support available for refugees and people seeking asylum in Australia?

Yes. The Foundation House (Victoria), STARTTS (NSW), and similar organisations in other states provide free, culturally informed mental health support for refugees and people from refugee-like backgrounds, regardless of visa status. Medicare access depends on visa type, but many funded services do not require Medicare eligibility. Speaking with a community health centre is a good starting point.

What support is available for veterans or first responders with PTSD or mental health concerns?

Veterans can access free counselling through Open Arms (1800 011 046), which provides multiple free sessions per year and can extend this where clinically needed. DVA (Department of Veterans' Affairs) also funds a range of mental health treatments for eligible veterans. Emergency services workers can access EAP through their employer as well as Medicare-subsidised psychology. Beyond Blue's Heads Up and First Responder programs are also targeted resources.

What is minority stress and how does it affect mental health?

Minority stress refers to the chronic stress experienced by people from stigmatised or marginalised groups, including racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQIA+ people, and people with disability. It arises from discrimination, prejudice, concealment of identity, and the anticipation of negative treatment. Over time, minority stress contributes significantly to elevated rates of anxiety, depression, and other mental health difficulties. A culturally competent practitioner will understand this framework without you needing to explain it.

Can I access mental health support in languages other than English?

Yes. Many practitioners on this directory speak languages other than English and note this in their profiles. The Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) provides free interpreting for Medicare cardholders accessing healthcare, including psychology appointments. Some community health centres and government-funded services also have bilingual staff or access to interpreters.

What support is available for people who have experienced racism or racial trauma?

Racial trauma refers to the mental health impact of experiencing racism, discrimination, or race-based violence. Practitioners with training in trauma-informed care and cultural responsiveness can help you process these experiences. Beyond Blue's multicultural mental health resources and the Transcultural Mental Health Centre can assist with referrals to culturally appropriate practitioners.

Is there mental health support specifically for FIFO workers and their families?

Yes. FIFO (fly-in fly-out) work creates specific mental health pressures including relationship strain, fatigue, social isolation, and difficulty transitioning between remote work and home life. Some practitioners specialise in FIFO mental health and are available via telehealth, which suits the irregular schedules and remote locations of resource sector workers. Many EAP (Employee Assistance Program) providers also offer FIFO-specific support through employers.

How do I find a practitioner who understands my faith or religious background?

You can search this directory and look for practitioners who mention faith-sensitive or spiritually integrated practice in their profiles. It is also appropriate to ask a practitioner directly whether they have experience working with clients for whom faith is central. Some faith communities also have pastoral counsellors or affiliated psychologists who combine clinical training with spiritual understanding.