• The Illawarra Division of General Practice (IDGP) has a Clinical Psychology Service based at the University of Wollongong.

  • The Service currently employs 3 Clinical Psychologists (2.8 FTE’s);

Claire McLeod(Service Coordinator/Senior Clinical Psychologist)1.0 FTE
Dee Neveling(Senior Clinical Psychologist)0.3 FTE
Donna Waters(Clinical Psychologist)0.5 FTE

       

and… Trainee Clinical Psychologists from the University of Wollongong Clinical Psychology Programme who are completing placements with the IDGP Psychology Service.  (All students are fully supervised by experienced clinicians).

  • The service is funded by the ‘Better Outcomes in Mental Health Care’ (BOiMHC) initiative.  

  • The IDGP Clinical Psychology Service offers affordable, high quality psychological therapy to adult patients (18 years of age and over) at their usual GP Surgery throughout the Illawarra (Helensburgh to Gerroa).  If the GP does not have a consultation room available consult rooms at Wollongong University (Northfields Clinic) can be utilised.

  • The service provides Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), psycho-education and other short term psychological interventions for a maximum of 6 sessions per patient.  A further 6 sessions can also be offered to 20 percent of the original referrals (should the need be demonstrated).

  • Referrals are accepted from any GP that is registered with the ‘Better Outcomes in Mental Health Care’ initiative.  (For information on registration for the Better Outcomes Initiative,  please click here for the Division's Better Outcomes webpage, or contact Janette Ellis)

  • Referrals are accepted for a wide range of disorders that are likely to respond to short term, focussed therapy.  This usually implies difficulties that are mild in nature and that have recently developed.  The most common diagnoses treated at the service include mood disorders, anxiety disorders, somatoform disorders, sleep disorders and adjustment disorders.  Difficulties related to chronic pain, bereavement and relationship issues are also frequently referred.  Complex and chronic cases (eg. Psychotic Disorders and Personality Disorders) are inappropriate for this service.  Additionally, the service does not have the capacity to respond to acute mental health crisis situations.  In cases such as this the usual emergency services will need to be employed.

  • For more information please contact Claire McLeod at the IDGP Clinical Psychology Service (Office phone: 4221 5607 or Mobile: 0404046095)