Private Psychiatrists

Psychiatrists are medical practitioners with a recognised specialist qualification in psychiatry. They provide a comprehensive biopsychosocial approach to the diagnosis, assessment, treatment and prevention of psychiatric disorder and mental health problems. Psychiatrists treat patients and often work with the patient's general practitioner in the prevention, management and relief of suffering from a range of developmental, emotional, behavioural and cognitive disorders. An integrated understanding of the biological, psychological and social aspects of mental health problems enables psychiatrists to recognise and treat both the physical and emotional effects of psychiatric disorder. Psychiatrists may treat these disorders as a primary condition or as a co-morbidity or complication related to another disease. The treatment approach is dependent upon patient needs and the preference of the psychiatrist. It can involve prescribing medication and using different forms of counselling or psychotherapy. Other work of a psychiatrist may include the involvement in a mental health plan after referral from a general practitioner, secondary or tertiary consultation, and psychiatric research to develop a better understanding of the nature and causes of mental disorder and improved methods of diagnosis, assessment and treatment. When a GP has referred a patient to the psychiatrist a portion of the fees charged by the psychiatrist can be claimed back using the Medicare rebate system. Most psychiatrists will charge more than the Medicare rebate but many are prepared to consider lowering their fees in exeptional circumstances. More information can be obtained from the Royal Australian and New Zealand  College of Psychiatrists: http://www.ranzcp.org