Accessible Psychological Interventions (API) is a free mental health service offering short-term counselling and psychological therapy to individuals, families, and groups.
API services can be face-to-face or via telephone or secure video consultation.
Interventions include:
- cognitive-behavioural therapy
- skills training
- psycho-education
- relaxation strategies
- other evidence-based interventions.
API services can be delivered by clinical psychologists, psychologists, mental health social workers, occupational therapists and mental health nurses.
Refer via SEMPHN Access & Referral (8.30am-4.30pm weekdays) Ph: 1800 862 363 Or Fax: 1300 354 053.
Who are API services for?
API services are for people who:
- live or work in the SEMPHN catchment, and
- have a health care card or can’t afford or access similar services, and
- have an assessment and diagnosis of mild-moderate mental illness* (except for children under 12 or people at risk of suicide), such as mild depression or anxiety.
*If a person does not have a confirmed diagnosis, an assessment will be conducted and a clinical diagnosis determined by the API provider confirming eligibility for the service. The API Provider can assist referrers and consumers with GP linkage and liaison.
Referrals for API services are particularly encouraged for priority groups of people.
Who can refer to API services?
Referrals can be made by anyone including consumers and their carers, GPs and other primary health providers, schools, social services and other organisations.
How to refer to API services
Referrals can be made to:
- SEMPHN Access & Referral (8.30am-4.30pm weekdays): 1800 862 363
- Fax: 1300 354 053
GPs can fax referrals and GP Mental Health Treatment Plan to 1300 354 053 or call 1800 862 363 for priority assistance.
Referral forms (including medical software templates) are available on the SEMPHN Access & Referral page. Other referral forms are accepted if they contain the required information.
Consent is needed for clients to receive services.
API services do not provide after-hours or emergency mental health advice or support. In case of emergency, call 000.
Providers delivering Accessible Psychological Interventions (API)
Accessible Psychological Interventions (API) services include a range of short-term psychological interventions for people with mild- moderate depression or anxiety. These services are available in individual (face-to-face, telephone or secure video consultation), family and group formats and are matched to people’s needs.
SEMPHN commissions the following providers to deliver API services across south eastern Melbourne:
- Better Health Network (formally Connect Health) provides this service in the local government area (LGA) of Bayside.
- Better Place Australia provides this service in the LGAs of Cardinia and Kingston, and to Residential Aged Care Facilities in Mornington
- Mentis provides this in Mornington and City of Frankston
- EACH providers this service in the LGAs of Casey and the City Greater Dandenong
- Relationship Matters provides this service in the LGAs of City of Frankston and Glen Eira
- Better Health Network (formally Star Health) provides this service in the LGAs of Port Phillip and Stonnington, and to Residential Aged Care Facilities across the catchment (except Mornington).
- Connect Psychology provides this service via telehealth across the SEMPHN catchment.
More information
Download the API Brochure for GPs and health professionals Brochure for GPs and health professionals
Call SEMPHN Access & Referral (8.30am-4.30pm weekdays)
Visit our Access & Referral webpage
Mental Health Integrated Complex Care (MHICC)
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
Download our Stepped Care Model brochure
South Eastern Melbourne PHN
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SEMPHN acknowledges the Bunurong and Wurundjeri peoples of the Kulin Nation, the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands, waters, and skies in which we work. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present. We also acknowledge all First Nations peoples with whom we work. Sovereignty was never ceded!