Our approach

If you or someone close to you is in distress or immediate danger, call Triple Zero (000) as soon as possible.


If you would like to get in touch about a non-urgent enquiry, please complete our contact form.

Emergency assistance

Our approach to mental health care

We offer a range of services to treat a number of mental health conditions. Across our organisation, our approach to mental health care revolves around person-centred care, recovery-oriented practice and trauma-informed care.

Here are some more details on our approach – and what this means for you when you need support.

Person-centred care

Person-centred care means we consider you as your own expert in what’s best for you. While you’re supported and guided by our health care professionals, you have control over your choices and treatments.

When you need help, we’re here to make sure you can stay in control of your situation, manage your condition and make your own choices about your care and treatment. We place you at the centre of our care and focus on building strong relationships between you and the people supporting you, including your friends and family, and our team.

Person-centred care recognises that you are unique and what’s best for you as an individual will depend on a range of factors, including personal, social and cultural factors.

Recovery-oriented practice

Building on person-centred care is our approach to recovery-oriented practice.

The idea of recovery means different things to different people. As a general guide, the National Framework for Recovery-Oriented Mental Health Services (2013) defines recovery as ‘being able to create and live a meaningful and contributing life in a community of choice with or without the presence of mental health issues’.

When you receive treatment through our St John of God Health Care services, your recovery is central to what we do. This means:

  • We’ll help you work out exactly what recovery means for you in terms of your everyday life, values, relationships, goals for the future and other needs.
  • Our team is equipped with the knowledge, skills and experience to work with you to assess, treat and support your recovery
  • We’ll make sure you feel listened to and that your experience is at the centre of your care and recovery plan.
  • We encourage you to get your family, friends or other support networks involved in your recovery, if you would like.

As we work with you towards recovery, we’ll take your feedback on board and make sure our approach works for you. This might include surveys or formal feedback, or even just a chat with our team if you have any questions or concerns about your treatment.

Trauma-informed care

We know that, like many of our clients, you might come to us for treatment feeling a sense of crisis after one or more traumatic experiences. You want to feel safe, feel better and feel in control of your choices.

Our approach to trauma-informed care is an important part of your treatment and recovery. This means:

  • We recognise the impact that trauma may have on you – and how this can impact you in any setting.
  • Our team has the knowledge, skills and awareness needed to look after your physical and emotional safety.
  • We’ll work with you to support your recovery in ways which build your trust and self-confidence and avoid re-traumatisation.
  • It’s important that you feel a sense of choice and control as part of your treatment.
  • Our treatments are based on maintaining privacy, confidentiality and mutual respect.

Through our trauma-informed care, you’ll learn a range of skills to feel more empowered and get more enjoyment from your everyday activities.

Accessing our care

Here are the steps you can take to get help from our team. 

  • Start with your GP

    Make an appointment to see your general practitioner (GP). Have a chat about how you’ve been feeling, any changes or symptoms you’ve noticed or things you might be worried about. Your GP will make an assessment to suggest a suitable treatment plan. They might recommend a private psychiatrist, counselling or other services to help you, including our mental health care services.

    To access our mental health treatment services, your GP will need to give you a referral letter. You or your GP will need to email this through to us.

    For inpatient services (which involve a hospital stay), your GP may need to submit your referral.

    For some of our services – such as our community-based services – you’ll also need a Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP.

  • Decide who you would like to tell

    It’s up to you who you tell about how you’re feeling. Don’t feel pressured to talk about your mental health concerns with your friends or family, but getting their support could help you through your treatment and recovery.

    If you become one of our clients, we’ll encourage you to nominate a family member or friend as a carer. They could play an important role in supporting you through the treatment and recovery process.

  • Speak with our team

    We have a range of St John of God Health Care facilities and community-based services in New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia. Depending on which of our services your GP has recommended or referred you to, you'll then speak with our team.

    You’re welcome to bring your nominated carer to your appointments to get involved and support you in your treatment and recovery.

  • We’ll guide you through your plan and paperwork

    When we meet with you, we’ll go through your treatment plan, explain what is involved and answer any questions you or your nominated carer might have.

    Your treatment could involve our inpatient program where you’ll stay in one of our hospitals as part of your treatment.

    If you are referred for one of these programs, we’ll work with you to check your health insurance and make sure you understand any out-of-pocket costs for your stay.

    You might instead be referred to one of our clinic or community-based services, such as counselling appointments at a hospital or clinic location. You might meet one-on-one with a counsellor or with others as part of group therapy. This option could be offered to you after your hospital stay or if you have symptoms which allow you to continue with your everyday activities with extra support to help you manage your wellbeing. If you’re eligible for our community services, these sessions are offered for low or no-cost within our city or regional community locations, not at a hospital.

  • Check-in for your stay

    If you’re referred for a hospital stay as part of your treatment, you’ll check in and then be in the care of our health care team as we support your physical and mental health needs.

    During your hospital stay, your treatment might involve medication, group therapy, access to a range of specialist mental health professionals and the chance to rest and focus on your wellbeing away from the outside world.

    Find more details about what you can expect in one of our private inpatient treatment programs:

  • Access ongoing care

    In partnership with your GP and other health care providers, you’ll have access to our mental health support, counselling and psychotherapy services. This could be at one of our hospital locations or within the community, but all are designed to give you the care you need.

In the community

Community mental wellbeing services across New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia.

Mental health enquiries

It’s important to get the right treatment for your needs.

If you’re experiencing a crisis or emergency, please call Triple Zero (000) for emergency services or visit our emergency assistance page to find more crisis services.

If you’re feeling that something isn’t right but it’s not an emergency, you can take the first step by sending us an enquiry.