Men are less likely than women to seek help for their mental health, and more likely to wait until a problem has grown. Therapy with an experienced practitioner is structured, practical work on the difficulties that are affecting your life, your work and your relationships.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing 2020–22, 18.3% of Australian men had a mental disorder in the previous 12 months, yet only 12.9% of men saw a health professional for their mental health, compared with 21.6% of women. Among people with a 12-month disorder, 36.4% of men sought help against 51.1% of women. Substance use disorders were twice as common in men (4.4% against 2.1%).
Men most often seek therapy for stress and burnout at work, relationship difficulties or separation, anger, low mood, anxiety, alcohol or substance use, grief, and the effects of trauma. Many come after a partner, a GP or an employer has raised a concern, or when sleep, concentration or health has started to suffer. The first sessions establish what is driving the difficulty, because low mood, stress, anger and alcohol use often occur together and one usually underlies the others. Treatment then follows an agreed plan. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) address the thinking patterns and behaviours that maintain the problem; trauma-focused approaches are used where there is a history of trauma, including the cumulative exposure common in emergency services, defence and healthcare; and couples therapy (Gottman Method and Emotionally Focused Therapy) is available where the relationship is the focus. Practitioners at OneBodyMind include male and female psychologists and therapists. If you have a preference, say so when you call or choose from the profiles.
Practitioners choose the approach that fits you — see each profile for the approaches they use, or read the plain-language guide to types of therapy. Further reading: MensLine Australia — 1300 78 99 78 · Beyond Blue — men’s mental health.
Yes. The practitioners at OneBodyMind include a male psychologist as well as female psychologists and therapists. Say so when you call, or choose from the profiles on Find a Therapist.
Therapy here is structured and goal-focused. In the first sessions you and your practitioner agree on what you want to change; the sessions that follow work towards it using approaches with established evidence, and progress is reviewed as you go.
No. You can book directly with any practitioner. A GP referral and Mental Health Treatment Plan are only needed if you want to claim Medicare rebates.
Yes. Sessions are confidential, with the narrow legal exceptions every practitioner explains at the first appointment. If you were referred by your GP under a Mental Health Treatment Plan, your practitioner writes back to the GP, and you can ask what that letter will contain.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call Lifeline on 13 11 14, or 000 in an emergency. OneBodyMind is not a crisis service. Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636.