Tell me what you think Psychology takes pressure off Townsville’s waiting list

A business has just opened that will help take pressure off Townsville’s lengthy waitlist to see a psychologist. Read how veterans will be helped.

Psychologist Melissa McCormack and Colliers commercial and industrial leasing executive Reagan Stokely at the new private practice, Tell Me What You Think Psychology, in the CBD. Picture: Shae Beplate.

Help has arrived for Townsville residents struggling with a four to six week waitlist to sit down with a psychologist, after Melissa McCormack opened a new private practice last week.

The owner of “Tell me what you think Psychology”, Ms McCormack has an impressive record of helping locals through their mental struggles, particularly ADF members and veterans.

She worked for five years at Open Arms – Australia’s leading provider of clinical counselling services for Australian veterans – before taking up a psychologist role at Lavarack Barracks.

“Psychology kind of work is difficult and being a garrison city, most psychs aren’t shy of seeing any of our veterans or somebody (that) is touched by the sort of veteran community,” McCormack said.

“It’s changing. It’s starting to become more known that mental health is something that they have to address.”

Acknowledging that “it’s been difficult to get in (to see a psychologist) for some time”, Ms McCormack said Covid was the catalyst for lengthier wait times, where it was harder to get a face-to-face appointment, yet easier to connect through telehealth.

She blamed the shortage of trained psychologists on a push for every treating psychologist to have a master’s degree, yet not opening enough additional places in the Master’s programs.

In her spare time, Ms McCormack had been hitting the road to deliver a Mental Health First Aid program throughout North Queensland.

The new private practice, Tell Me What You Think Psychology, in the CBD. Picture: Shae Beplate.

“It’s identifying (and) recognising people with mental health issues … and helping them find the appropriate sort of supports that can often help,” she said.

Desperate for more flexibility to deliver the programs, she embraced the idea of private practice, which would allow her to see more veterans through Open Arms, while also taking GP referrals.

As someone who “doesn’t muck around”, she quickly latched on to a CBD commercial space on Denham St with the assistance of Colliers commercial and industrial leasing executive Reagan Stokley.

The new private practice, Tell Me What You Think Psychology, in the CBD. Picture: Shae Beplate.

With its existing counselling room, waiting area, and kitchen where her patients could make a cuppa, it was ideal.

Mr Stokely said suite 4/41 Denham Street was a perfect size at 57sq m, and was part of a building with a great tenant mix and activity.

“Melissa was able to get in and start seeing clients straight away as the tenancy was perfectly set up for her use,” Mr Stokely said.

For help contact: Open Arms on 1800 011 046 or visit openarms.gov.au or Lifeline: 13 11 14 or visit lifeline.org.au

Originally published as Tell me what you think Psychology takes pressure off Townsville’s waiting list