One of the great things about the NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme) is the breadth of services that it is able to offer, and this is particularly exciting in the field of mental health services.
Hi to the folks at The Clubhouse, Toowoomba, whom I recently visited. What an amazing place! I so want to link in with these people. (I will say a little more in another post.) Even better still, following discussions with The Clubhouse (and there is nothing definite at this early stage) maybe, just maybe, I could link in more directly with them, or even be based at their centre. What NDIS does is foster these types of conversations and possible collaboration. Fingers crossed, we will see what comes. Either way I would like to do some work each week out of Toowoomba.
One of the great things that NDIS allows me to do, is to travel around the State (indeed the country). And see the great things people are doing. How is that possible?
NDIS does contribute to travel costs up to a maximum of $1000 per year. And more may be possible for remote areas. Toowoomba is only, for example, a one and a half hour drive. My preference is to see people face-to-face. If I see 4 or 5 people in a day, the travel costs can be shared, thus enabling me, to do a Circuit Run. And with the benefits of technology, also supported by NDIS, (and can be included in your package, ie. the technology), we could very soon, you and I, be talking by video chat, FaceTime, Skype, and Zoom as well as face to face.
There’s flexibility with longer sessions (90 minutes) which can be handy to cover things, and shorter text/chat catch-up in between main sessions. Not so you are reliant, or dependant or anything, it’s just that the NDIS offers a wonderful, wider array of what you can do than with Medicare, which is only allowed face to face. Now face to face is great, and I fully support that, because you feel connected to the other person, but NDIS offers more than the mere 50 minutes that Medicare does. While that may be enough, it can be constraining to best practice. You have stuff you WANT to talk about THIS WEEK!
Talk to me, or I with you, about some therapy options with time and contact. Put in for what you would like, stay flexible as we go along. For instance, sometimes people want to come TWICE a week at the start, not usually all the time thereafter, but this type of flexibility can put help where you need it, when you need it, and then not, because you are going better, or want longer between sessions to progress.
I imagine that the block of funding that NDIS gives for counselling/therapy gives this sort of flexibility but do ASK. If you don’t ask, you may not receive. They can always say no. But in my experience, counselling/therapy is the sort of low cost investment that invites participants to work and responsibility, that makes such a difference to their well-being. Obviously I can’t make blanket promises to anyone and everyone, but that is what I would say to anyone and everyone. We spend more money servicing our car than we do our own lives. NDIS happens to think favourably the same which is encouraging. Which makes sense because if you are prepared to set time aside for counselling/therapy, it ought to be possible to find a good fit with a therapist of your choosing out there, who can work with you on your goals and objectives, and know stuff, if you don’t, that can help you be going better, maybe a LOT better, or just a bit better. And if that is me, or if that is someone else, well and good. Seek and you will find. That’s the great thing about the choices you have with NDIS.
I happen to think I may be great at what I do and that that may be of use to you. One would hope so. But it doesn’t really matter, because no-one can be all things to all people. We can try to a degree. But better you find someone with the right degree of challenge and support that fits well for you and is there longer term if you need. That way you don’t have to repeat your story. And who knows stuff. That’s my preference. It’s great to have someone who listens (SO IMPORTANT) but as important as that is (and sometimes that’s the ONLY thing that matters), I like to have someone who can take me places I haven’t been, or don’t know about. With experience, and knowledge of current developments. And who can, if needed talk about MANAGING MEDICATION. In my opinion, just listening, may not be enough. It may feel good, but it may not be enough support, or challenge. We are not here just too feel good, and to feel comfortable (we are), rather we are here for that and more. That being said, it is SO nice to be listened to and understood. Hard to put a price on that, right? To feel human and alive, nourished.
And as you know, I have a lived experience of bipolar/depression.
Feel free to give me a call. We can have a chat or work out a ‘back of the napkin’ plan. Pretty simple but worth it preparation. Happy to help.