Accessible psychology services at CDU Wellness Centre for Territorians

As Territorians deal with the consequences of COVID-19 the demand for psychology services in the Territory has increased, and a subsidised psychology service at the Charles Darwin University (CDU) Wellness Centre is easing the burden.

Territorians can access low-cost psychology services at the CDU Wellness Centre at the Casuarina Campus offered by Master of Clinical Psychology students undertaking supervised placements.

About 14 intern psychologists who are studying a postgraduate psychology course at CDU are providing psychological assessments and therapy sessions at a low cost for the public, ranging from comprehensive assessments, treatment services and targeted therapies for issues such as anxiety, depression and phobia.

The services are available for children aged from six and all adults through GP and self-referrals.

The intern psychologists and staff members are trained to offer services that are confidential, respectful, and culturally appropriate for people of all backgrounds, including First Nations people.

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CDU Dean of the College of Health and Human Sciences, Professor Dominic Upton, said the Wellness Centre could benefit both psychology students and the Territory community.

“The intern psychologists get to gain support and supervision for their clinical placements, where they can put their learning into practice,” Professor Upton said.

“Through the placement and interactions with client, students develop and improve professional practice skills that are really important to make them industry-ready when they finish their degrees.”

As the Northern Territory has one of the lowest numbers of psychologists and clinical psychologists in Australia, the services at CDU’s Wellness Centre are giving a boost to the mental health service offerings in the Top End.

Associate Professor in Psychology, Cindy Wall, said psychology services were highly sought-after.

“There is a high demand for psychologists in the NT and nationally, as people cope with the fallback of COVID-19. We offer a very low-cost service that is accessible for people in the Territory,” Associate Professor Wall said.

“Knowing many services are being highly utilised in the community, we are hoping to ease some of that burden by providing the service and giving psychology students training locally.

“Psychologists are very important in NT and it’s important to have local psychologists who understand the local environment, culture and people.

“We are hoping to grow the NT workforce in the local mental health and community services.”

Clients can access up to 12 sessions at the CDU Wellness Centre with standard and concessions fees available. 

The CDU Wellness Centre also includes a newly launched Fitness Hub open to all students and staff, sports science teaching and learning, and athlete training in the community.

For more information about the psychology services at the CDU Wellness Centre, visit www.cdu.edu.au/wellness-centre/healthy-mind