Effective Psychiatry Services In Australia
When antidepressants are not enough, there are still options
Living with depression, anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can be exhausting—particularly when you have tried antidepressants, psychological therapy or other treatments and are still not feeling the relief you had hoped for.
This does not mean that you have failed, or that nothing else can help. Mental health conditions are complex, and finding the right treatment can take time. Sometimes, a more specialised assessment and a different treatment approach are needed.
Our next-step treatment psychiatrists provide comprehensive, compassionate assessments for adults experiencing:
- Depression, including difficult-to-treat or treatment-resistant depression
- Anxiety disorders
- PTSD and other trauma-related conditions
- Mood disorders
- Co-occurring conditions that may affect symptoms, recovery or treatment choices
Many people experience more than one condition at the same time. Depression, anxiety and PTSD may occur alongside sleep difficulties, chronic pain, alcohol or substance-use concerns, attention difficulties or other mental and physical health conditions. Our psychiatrists consider the whole person—not simply one diagnosis or symptom.
During your consultation, your psychiatrist will listen to your experiences, review the treatments you have already tried and assess any co-occurring conditions. They can then discuss whether a next-step treatment may be clinically appropriate for you and work collaboratively with your GP, psychologist or existing psychiatrist to support continuity of care.
Depending on your individual circumstances, next-step options may include treatments such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), esketamine or other specialist therapies. Not every treatment is suitable for every person, so careful psychiatric assessment, informed discussion and ongoing monitoring are central to the process.
You do not need to navigate the next step alone. If your current treatment has not provided enough improvement, our team is here to listen, help you understand the available options and support you in finding a thoughtful way forward.
Meet our next-step treatment psychiatrists team
Depending on your needs
- We will conduct an initial assessment or advise you to seek a formal diagnostic assessment through Monarch Psychology Services, review your treatment needs and develop a treatment plan while working with your referring practitioner.
- The plan may include referral to other services available with Monarch Mental Health Group, such as specialist next-step treatment programs, psychologists, counsellors, or online interventions.
- We may share your care with your referring practitioner or provide services directly to you.
- We will always support you, post-treatment for follow-up psychiatric appointments.
Who is eligible?
Our Psychiatry Services can be accessed by children and adolescents (8-17 years) and adults (18+ years) who have a referral from their GP or psychiatrist.
Your GP or psychiatrist will need to complete our referral form.
The referral should include your background, any previous personal experiences with mental illness, as well as the specific advice (e.g. diagnosis, management) sought by the referring GP or mental health professional.
Appointments cannot be made until we have your completed referral form. Once we have received your referral, one of our Patient Care Coordinators will call you to arrange a time for your appointment.
The referral can be either:
- faxed to 1300 867 889
- emailed to Monarch Mental Health Group at referrals@mmhg.com.au
PLEASE NOTE
Our Psychiatry Services are not an emergency service and cannot offer crisis intervention. We are unable to provide psychiatric assessments or reports for legal matters, insurance determinations or academic exemptions.
Rural and Regional Telehealth
We offer telehealth consultations to rural and regional areas in Australia.
The telehealth appointment will take place via video teleconference link or Teams in the presence of a health professional, most likely in your GP’s office, local hospital or health clinic. Appointments can with prior discussion and agreement take place in your own home.
Who is eligible?
Telehealth consultations are available to patients who:
- have submitted a referral form
- are located in telehealth-eligible areas at the time of the consultation, and
- have a referral from their GP or psychiatrist.
The referral should include your background and history of any mental health or associated issues, as well as the specific advice (e.g. diagnosis, management) sought by that doctor.
Once we have received your referral, it will be screened by our Psychiatry Coordinator and we will call you to arrange a time for your appointment.
Once your appointment is set, you will need to complete our telehealth consent form and return it to us so that we can arrange a test connection with the facility you will be attending before your appointment.
What to Expect in Your Appointment
A consultant psychiatrist will undertake a comprehensive clinical assessment of your condition covering:
- Relevant medical history
- Family medical history
- Past mood episodes
- Current and past treatments
- Social factors
- Any other relevant information
This assessment will take approximately one hour, giving a refined diagnosis, management suggestions (concerning medications and psychological treatment), and advice to help you return to a fulfilling lifestyle.
Youth and family members will be interviewed together and separately.
Clinic specialists will write a comprehensive report to your referring doctor following the consultation, outlining their opinions and treatment recommendations.
Your GP or psychiatrist will continue to manage your treatment, and you will need to liaise with your doctor to implement these recommendations.