At Reflective Psychology, our Accredited Mental Health Social Workers (MHSW) provide compassionate, evidence-based therapy for individuals and families experiencing a wide range of mental health and life challenges.
What is a Mental Health Social Worker?
Mental Health Social Workers are specially qualified Social Workers, who have completed an additional two years of training in evidence-based mental health assessment and therapy. They are accredited with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) and practise under strict professional and ethical standards to ensure safe, high-quality care.
They are also registered with Medicare, meaning that if you have a GP referral and Mental Health Care Plan, you will receive a Medicare rebate (just like with Psychologists).
Our expert team offers a safe and confidential space to talk openly about your experiences, without feeling like you’re being judged or burdening a loved one.
How Mental Health Social Workers Can Help
Mental Health Social Workers support people with a wide range of mental health struggles, including anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, relationship difficulties and general life stress. But it’s not just about “symptom-focused therapy”: they can also work collaboratively with you to build a life that feels meaningful and aligned with your values and strengths. You can choose therapy to focus on supporting your personal growth, resilience and positive change, helping you move toward the life you want have always wanted to lead.
Evidence-Based Therapy
Just like Psychologists, Mental Health Social Workers are trained in person-centred, evidence-based therapies including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Mindfulness-Based Therapies and more. Our Mental Health Social Workers practise in a trauma-informed way with all clients, and adapt their clinical expertise to your needs and preferences.
A Whole-of-Person Approach
A key strength of Mental Health Social Workers is their whole-of-person approach. Alongside exploring thoughts, emotions and behaviours, they may also consider the broader social and environmental factors that affect your wellbeing – such as relationships, work pressures, housing, finances, cultural context, or experiences of disadvantage. For many people, this integrated perspective can feel practical, validating and deeply supportive.
Therapy with a Mental Health Social Worker may include emotional support, skills development, and practical problem-solving, always guided by your goals and what matters most to you. The focus is on meaningful, sustainable change and positive psychological growth, not just “making symptoms go away”.
Accredited Mental Health Social Workers in Coffs Harbour offering compassionate, evidence-based therapy.
Psychologist or Mental Health Social Worker — which is right for me?
Both psychologists and Mental Health Social Workers are highly trained clinicians who provide effective psychotherapy. The most important factor in deciding who to see is finding a therapist you feel comfortable with and supported by.
- You may prefer a psychologist if you are seeking a strong focus on diagnosis or formal psychological assessment.
- You may prefer a Mental Health Social Worker if you are looking for therapy that also acknowledges broader life circumstances and practical challenges alongside emotional wellbeing.
First and foremost, choose the practitioner who speaks most to you – see our Clinician profiles here.
If you’re unsure, our team can help you choose the clinician who best fits your needs.
Medicare rebates available with a GP Mental Health Care Plan.
Mental Health Care Plans and Social Workers
You can see an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker at Reflective Psychology with a Mental Health Care Plan from your GP.
With a valid Mental Health Care Plan, you are eligible for Medicare rebates for up to 10 individual sessions per calendar year with a registered Mental Health Social Worker. Rebates are available for both in-person and telehealth appointments.
If you already have a Mental Health Care Plan, our admin team can help you get started. If you’re unsure whether a psychologist or Mental Health Social Worker is the best option for you, we’re happy to talk it through.
You can choose therapy to focus on supporting your personal growth, resilience and positive change, helping you move toward the life you want have always wanted to lead.
Supervision for Mental Health Social Work Accreditation
Accredited Mental Health Social Work Supervision
Our Accredited Mental Health Social Workers provide clinical supervision for Social Workers undertaking the pathway to mental health accreditation.
This two-year process supports the development of advanced therapeutic skills and a strong working knowledge of Medicare-approved psychological strategies, guided within a reflective and supportive supervisory relationship.
All of our accredited social workers are experienced clinicians and supervisors, offering thoughtful, practical guidance throughout the accreditation journey. Supervision is focused on building confidence, depth and clinical expertise, supporting social workers to meet accreditation requirements with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) while growing into skilled, capable Mental Health Social Workers.
For more information, please see our Supervision page.