For health professionals and referrers
Referrer information
Refer with confidence
Connect your client with trauma-informed counselling, psychology and EMDR therapy at Mindful Living. Find our professional referral form, check funding and referral pathways, or explore resources to help you consider whether our services may be a good fit.
Find our referral form, funding pathways and EMDR resources to help you consider the right next step for your client.
A clear place to start
Whether you’re ready to refer or still considering your client’s options, you can find what you need below.
MAKE A REFERRAL
Send us your client’s details through our professional referral form.
CHECK A FUNDING PATHWAY
Find information for Medicare, TAC, WorkSafe, NDIS and other funding arrangements.
LEARN ABOUT EMDR
Explore a free webinar, a quick reference guide and articles for referrers.
Find the right referral pathway
Funding arrangements can affect referrals, fees, and what a client needs to organise before their first appointment. Choose the pathway relevant to your client for the details, or contact our team if you’re unsure.
GP referrals and Medicare
TAC
Worksafe
NDIS
Bupa, DVA and Open Arms
Other funding options
For GP’s
GPs can refer clients under the Better Access to Mental Health Care initiative using a Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP). Please email referrals to info@mindfulliving.com.au or fax them to 03 9688 8049. We’ll be in touch with your client to book an appointment and will provide updates as required.
You can also refer clients for our Group EMDR or EMDR Intensive Programs, which both attract Medicare rebates. These programs are suitable for clients who are seeking structured trauma-informed support. If unsure about suitability, feel free to get in touch.
TAC Clients
Mindful Living currently accepts TAC-funded clients on a self-pay basis. This means clients are required to pay for sessions upfront and then seek reimbursement directly from TAC.
There is typically a gap between our standard fee and the amount TAC reimburses, which clients should be aware of. In addition, clients are responsible for covering the cost of any reports and will be charged for late cancellations or missed appointments, as these fees cannot be claimed back from TAC.
To refer a client, please ask them to get in touch with us once their funding has been approved. Bookings will be offered based on availability within the team.
WorkSafe Clients
Mindful Living currently accepts WorkSafe-funded clients on a self-pay basis. This means clients are responsible for paying for sessions upfront and then seeking reimbursement directly from WorkSafe. A referral from a GP is required and should specify either psychological or mental health social work services, depending on the clinician, as our team includes a mix of both.
Clients should be aware that there is usually a gap between our fees and the standard WorkSafe rates, and they will also need to cover any costs related to reports and missed appointments. While EMDR may be requested by the client, it is only considered under special approval from WorkSafe as WorkSafe currently classifies it as an emerging treatment.
NDIS Clients
We support self-managed and plan-managed NDIS participants. Our services are available across the disciplines of psychology, social work, and occupational therapy.
All supports provided must be clearly linked to the participant’s NDIS goals and demonstrate capacity-building outcomes. While we do not offer therapy aimed at treating mental health diagnoses under NDIS funding, we can support clients with emotional regulation, social participation, and daily living skills where these are impacted by a disability.
EMDR is not directly funded by the NDIS; however, EMDR-informed strategies may be incorporated when they are focused on building functional capacity related to a psychosocial disability.
All reports and documentation are prepared in line with NDIS requirements, with a clear emphasis on alignment with the participant’s stated goals.
BUPA / DVA / Open Arms
We currently accept ADF clients only through BUPA’s Open Arms program. Referrals must be made via BUPA, as we are unable to accept clients referred directly through Open Arms due to differences in fee structures.
We do not accept referrals directly from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) for individual therapy, as their funding does not align with our current rates. If a client has DVA funding, we recommend they contact Open Arms and request to be referred through BUPA in order to access services at Mindful Living.
Other Funding Bodies
We’re always open to working with a range of funding bodies and are happy to chat about whether our services are a good match for your client’s needs.
If you’re unsure about the best referral pathway or want to confirm suitability for one of our programs, please reach out — we’re always happy to discuss options. You can call us on 03 9688 8049, email to info@mindfulliving.com.au or fax us on 03 8677 3388.
Professional referral form
Referrer Resources
Explore EMDR therapy, when it may be considered, and how Mindful Living works with other professionals.
FREE WEBINAR
Demystifying EMDR therapy
This 35-minute recorded webinar explores common questions about EMDR therapy — how it works, what the research shows, and how it’s used in everyday practice. A clear, no-pressure introduction for professionals curious to learn more about EMDR.
FREE RESOURCE
EMDR Referrer Cheat Sheet
This quick-reference guide outlines when EMDR may be helpful, how it works, and the benefits clients may experience. It also explains referral pathways to Mindful Living and includes trusted EMDR resources for further learning.
Read more about EMDR and collaborative care
Practical articles for professionals supporting people affected by trauma and other difficult experiences
EMDR for Vicarious Trauma
Health professionals and first responders often carry the emotional weight of others’ trauma, leading to burnout, vicarious trauma, and moral injury. We offer EMDR therapy tailored to support those in helping roles, with individual sessions, intensives, and group options designed to process cumulative stress and support sustainable wellbeing.
EMDR for PTSD, Anxiety, and Complex Trauma
EMDR therapy is a recognised, evidence-based treatment for PTSD, anxiety, and complex trauma. At Mindful Living, we use a phased, trauma-informed approach that supports clients to safely reprocess distressing memories, build emotional regulation, and shift long-held patterns. Learn how EMDR can be integrated with other therapies to support personalised and effective care.
Building Collaborative Care
Discover how Mindful Living partners with GPs, psychologists, OTs, and other health professionals to provide coordinated, trauma-informed care. Learn more about our collaborative approach to EMDR, mental health referrals, and wraparound support.
Supporting Trauma-Affected Clients in Primary Care
Learn how to recognise and respond to trauma in primary care settings. This practical guide for GPs, nurses, and allied health professionals offers tips on identifying signs of trauma, communicating with sensitivity, and knowing when EMDR therapy might be a helpful next step.
When to Refer for EMDR Therapy
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based, phased approach to therapy. Just as the body heals from physical injuries, the brain can recover from psychological trauma—often during REM sleep. When trauma overwhelms this process, memories can become “stuck” in the nervous system, leading to ongoing distress, heightened reactivity, and dysregulation.
Understanding EMDR Therapy
As a health professional, you’ve likely supported clients who’ve tried various therapies yet remain stuck in distressing patterns or emotional loops. For some, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) may offer a way forward. This blog is for GPs, psychologists, OTs, social workers, nurses, counsellors, and other allied health professionals looking to identify when EMDR might be a clinically appropriate next step.
