- Up to 10 CBT sessions with a psychologist are covered by Medicare rebate with a GP referral under the Australian Government’s Better Access Initiative.
- CBT is a highly accessible treatment. Most clinical psychologists in Australia have training in this approach. To find someone in your area, see Australian Psychological Society “Find a psychologist” under Further Resources on page 86.
- Treatment is individually-tailored to your patterns of thinking, emotions and behaviours.
- Skills learnt in CBT are useful, practical and helpful strategies that can be incorporated in everyday life to help coping even after treatment has finished.
- CBT sessions can be arranged at a time/day that fits into your schedule.
- Includes education about BPII (psycho-education).
- May help you to stay on prescribed medication. This is called adherence. More people report good adherence to medication when doing add-on CBT (89 in 100 people) versus people only taking medication and not receiving CBT (67 in 100 people).
- Most people are able to continue with and complete therapy. About 84 into 100 people were able to continue therapy sessions in a study lasting one year.
