The Psychological Therapy Services (PTS) program, formerly known as ATAPS, provides short-term support to people who have mild to moderate mental health concerns.
A healthcare or pension card is required to access this program unless otherwise stated. Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander patients do not need a healthcare card to access any PTS program.
Therapeutic services available are for community members who identify within the following streams:
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander stream
Psychology sessions for people who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander with mild to moderate mental health concerns.
Healthcare or Pension card not required.
Carer stream
Psychology sessions for people who provide personal care, support and assistance to another individual due to disability, medical condition (including terminal or chronic illness), mental illness or are frail and aged. Please note: A person is not eligible if they provide care for payment, as a volunteer for an organisation, or as part of the requirements of a course of education or training.
Children and Young People (aged 0-25) stream
Psychology sessions are available for children and young people aged 0-25 years of age who reside in the Blue Mountains, Hawkesbury, Lithgow and Penrith areas. The young person or their family must have a Centrelink issued healthcare or pension card to access this service.
Co-morbid Alcohol and/or Other Drugs stream
Psychology sessions for peoople with co-existing substance use and mental health issues, both of which are clinically and/or socially significant.
Disaster Recovery
Psychology sessions for anyone in the region experiencing high levels of distress resulting from the 2019-20 bushfires or the 2021/2022/2023/2024 floods in the Nepean Blue Mountains region, or the recent tragedy in Bondi Junction.
Healthcare or Pension card not required.
General stream
Anyone in the region experiencing financial hardship or cost of living pressures can access up to 8 therapy sessions under this stream.
Healthcare or Pension card not required.
Extended stream
Psychology sessions for people with complex mental health needs aged 25 or older who experience moderate to severe mental illness with added complexity of trauma (physical, sexual, emotional), abuse, neglect or a current diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder. Please note: patients accessing victims of crime or other equivalent services are not eligible.
LGBTQIA+ Stream
Psychology sessions for people who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Intersex, or have concerns in relation to their experience of sexuality or gender.
Perinatal Stream
Psychology sessions for women who are pregnant, or have a child 12 months or younger.
Areas serviced
