$30 psychology consultations as Bond Uni boosts intake to meet demand

As more people seek mental health help, one Queensland uni is offering $30 psychology consultations to the public and sharply increasing student intake.

Bond University psychology student Leah Blakemore.

Bond University has nearly doubled its intake of clinical psychology students thanks to newly expanded health facilities which have allowed it to play its part in meeting increased demand for psychology services.

Director of the Bond University Psychology Clinic Will Drotsky said the facility operated like a private practice and was open to the general public for psychological assessments and treatment from postgraduate students.

Fees are kept affordable with the first consultation free and fees for subsequent consultations are only $30 a session.

“Since the Covid-19 pandemic, we have seen a significant rise in demand for psychological services, with long waitlists at most psychology practices countrywide, so we are delighted the expansion of Bond Institute of Health and Sport North has enabled us to do our bit,” Mr Drotshy said.

He said that postgraduate students work at the clinic under the supervision of experienced clinicians.

“Although the clinic is also a training facility, the services offered is based on the best practice model, using the latest techniques and research,” he said.

“Bond University has stepped up to government requests for universities to increase their intake of psychology students to meet the higher demand for qualified psychologists in the community.”

Master of psychology (clinical) student Leah Blakemore said that the student placements as the clinic help alleviate the pressure on psychology services.

“Wait lists even on the Gold Coast are 12 months. It’s such a long time to wait and it shows a real gap in our profession,” she said.

Ms Blakemore was originally a teacher in rural Queensland and before deciding to train as a clinical psychologist.

“I think more and more people are beginning to understand that physical health and mental health are so interconnected and interrelated,” she said.