Free psychology sessions are coming to Werrington, through the Western Sydney University’s brand new state of the art psychology clinics.
The new training and research clinics were launched today, and for the first year, will offer free services for common psychological problems in children and adults.
Director of Psychology Clinics, Professor Craig Gonsalvez, said the clinic will open its doors to locals who may otherwise struggle to afford psychology services.
“One in five Australians will suffer a mental health disorder in a one year period, and only one in three people are reported to seek treatment from a mental health qualified professional,” he said.
“We plan to provide what we would call affordable psychological services as they can be quite expensive in the community. This year they will be free, and from next year they will need to pay a small fee but very minimal.”
Under the guidance of fully trained supervisors, masters’ level clinical psychology trainees will see between 25 to 30 clients a day in addition to four group sessions.
Trainees will treat problems such as stress and anxiety, panic, phobias, obsessions, depression and low self-esteem, eating disorders and obesity, behavioural problems in children, and do psychological testing.
Professor Gonsalvez said unlike the University’s old clinic in Narellan, they have a new vision for the clinics to include both training and research facilities, and plan to open an eating disorders and obesity clinic in the facility.
Mayor Karen McKeown attended the launch of the clinics that she said will relieve a lot of stress for Penrith locals.
“It’s going to be an absolute gem for the area because mental health issues are so prevalent now,” she said.
“Any services we can get for the area, especially free of charge is wonderful.”
