Getting started with mental health support
Not sure where to start? You don't have to figure it all out yourself.
Your roadmap to getting support
Decide it's time to get some support
You don't have to wait until things become unbearable. You can seek support when something is affecting how you're feeling, functioning or coping.
If you're in an emergency or immediate danger, call Triple Zero (000) or contact a crisis support line: Lifeline 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636.
Choose how you'd like to access support
You can see a psychologist privately, or if you're eligible, access Medicare rebates through a Mental Health Care Plan which you can access through your GP.
If you're using Medicare, speak to your GP
Your GP can assess your mental health and, if appropriate, prepare a Mental Health Care Plan and referral for eligible psychological services.
How to get a Mental Health Care PlanFind a psychologist
This is where Pair comes in.
Instead of scrolling through hundreds of profiles and trying to work out who might be right for you, Pair helps you find psychologists based on your:
- Clinical needs
- Practical preferences
- Identity & cultural preferences
The matching process is built by psychologists and considers factors such as specialties, location, session format, availability, language, gender, faith, cultural background or LGBTQIA+ status.
Find your match for freeChoose who feels right
Review your matches, explore their profiles and contact the psychologist you think could be a good fit.
You don't have to commit to the first person you speak to.
Not happy with your matches or wanting to see more, browse our directory
Browse DirectoryBook your first appointment
Contact a psychologist through our easy to use email template. The psychologist will then reach out to you via email or the number you provided. They may conduct a short intake call to find out if you are an appropriate client for them. Choose a time and format that works for you.
Start your first session
Your first appointment is about getting to know each other, understanding what's going on and working out what support might be helpful.
See how it feels
A good therapeutic relationship takes time. You can ask questions and see whether the psychologist feels like the right fit.
Keep going, or keep looking
Finding the right psychologist can take a little trial and error. That's okay. Check in with yourself regularly to decide whether it's the right fit.
How Pair's Matching Works
Pair helps connect users with psychologists in a way that increases the likelihood of a successful fit.
We get to know you
Take a short questionnaire to help us understand what might work best for you.
We pair you with your best match
We take into account your needs and preferences and match you with qualified psychologists.
You choose the right psychologist
Review your matches and connect with the psychologist that feels best for you.
Matches are generated based on three main areas
Our matching algorithm, built by psychologists, uses evidence-based factors known to support positive therapy outcomes to help users find psychologists who are likely to be a good fit.
Clinical fit
Aligning user needs with clinician specialties, populations, and areas of expertise, so you're matched with someone who genuinely understands your situation.
- Anxiety & stress
- Depression
- Trauma
- Relationships
- Life transitions
- + more
Practical factors
Considering location, session format, availability, and payment options, so the logistics work alongside the clinical fit.
- Telehealth
- In person
- Morning / evening
- Medicare rebates
Identity preferences
Respecting relevant preferences such as language, gender, or cultural background, because feeling understood enables deeper therapeutic connection.
- Language
- Gender
- Cultural background
