Find a Mental Health Professional for Family & Parenting

About Family & Parenting support

Parenting is one of the most rewarding and demanding experiences a person can face, and reaching out for support is a sign of strength. This category covers a wide range of family and parenting concerns, including parenting support, family conflict, carer wellbeing, perinatal mental health (during pregnancy and after birth), and the emotional challenges of infertility and pregnancy loss. Psychologists and counsellors who specialise in family and parenting can help with practical strategies for managing children's behaviour, communicating within the family, adjusting to new parenthood, and navigating the grief that often accompanies infertility or pregnancy loss. Carer wellbeing is also central to this category, recognising that those who care for others often neglect their own mental health needs. In Australia, the Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia (PANDA) helpline and Gidget Foundation offer targeted support for perinatal concerns, and many practitioners listed in this directory have specific training in this area. Medicare rebates apply with a Mental Health Treatment Plan, and NDIS funding may cover support for families where a member has a disability. Telehealth is widely available, which is especially useful for new parents or carers with limited capacity to travel.

Frequently asked questions

How do I find a perinatal or postnatal depression psychologist in Australia?

Ask your GP, midwife, or maternal and child health nurse for a referral and a Mental Health Treatment Plan. You can also search this directory filtering for the perinatal subcategory to find psychologists and counsellors with specific training in pregnancy and postnatal mental health. Telehealth options are widely available, which many new parents find easier to access than in-person appointments.

Is parenting support or family counselling covered by Medicare?

Individual sessions with an AHPRA-registered psychologist, accredited mental health social worker, or mental health occupational therapist are covered by Medicare under a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan, up to 10 sessions per calendar year. Family therapy and parenting support sessions with a general counsellor or therapist who is not AHPRA-registered are not covered by Medicare. Some employers offer EAP sessions that include parenting and family support at no cost. Ask your practitioner directly about their registration and Medicare eligibility before booking.

Can I access support as a carer for my own mental health, separate from the person I care for?

Absolutely. Carer wellbeing is a legitimate and important reason to seek mental health support in its own right. You do not need to be experiencing a diagnosed mental health condition to access Medicare-subsidised sessions: a GP can assess your needs and provide a Mental Health Treatment Plan based on your own circumstances. Carer Gateway is an additional Australian Government resource that offers free counselling and support specifically for carers.