Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Frequently
Asked Questions
This mental health nurse practitioner FAQ answers the questions people across Wollongong, the Illawarra and NSW ask most before booking — what a Nurse Practitioner is, how NP-led care compares with a psychiatrist, GP or psychologist, and how our no-waitlist hybrid model works. If your question is about a specific service, we link you to the page that covers it in detail.
What is a Mental Health Nurse Practitioner?
A Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (NP) is an advanced-practice registered nurse endorsed by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia to practise autonomously within their scope. In mental health that means one clinician can assess, diagnose, order investigations, prescribe medication and provide ongoing follow-up — the whole pathway of care. Mindora Health is led by Tammy Tran Merrick, an AHPRA-endorsed Mental Health NP.
What's the difference between a Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and a psychiatrist?
Both can assess, diagnose and prescribe for mental health conditions, but their training differs. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor with specialist psychiatry training; a Mental Health NP is a senior nurse with advanced clinical training and endorsement to practise autonomously. NP-led care can mean shorter waits and continuity of care, and it works alongside — not instead of — your GP or a psychiatrist when specialist medical input is needed.
What's the difference between a Nurse Practitioner and a GP or psychologist?
A GP manages your general health and can begin mental health treatment and make referrals. A psychologist provides talking therapies but does not prescribe. A Mental Health NP sits between these — diagnosing, prescribing and monitoring mental health medication like a prescriber, while giving assessment time closer to a specialist appointment. Many people see all three; the roles complement each other.
Can a Nurse Practitioner prescribe antidepressants in Australia?
Yes. Endorsed Nurse Practitioners can prescribe within their scope of practice, including antidepressants and many other mental health medicines, and can review and adjust them over time. Some medications have specific prescribing arrangements. Your NP explains what is being prescribed, why it is clinically indicated, and how it will be monitored. Learn more on our medication management page.
Why do I need one in-person appointment each year?
A thorough biopsychosocial assessment is done best face to face — it builds the therapeutic relationship and picks up things that are harder to notice on a screen. Once that foundation is set, follow-up care is mostly review, monitoring and adjustment, which suits telehealth well. So we use a hybrid model: an annual in-person comprehensive assessment in Wollongong, then telehealth follow-ups.
Can I keep seeing my GP, psychiatrist or psychologist?
Yes, and we encourage it. Mindora Health is designed to work alongside your existing care team, not replace it. With your consent we share assessment findings, treatment plans and results with your GP so everyone is coordinated. If you also see a psychologist or psychiatrist, our care can complement that therapy and medical input.
What conditions can you help with?
We assess and help manage depression and anxiety, trauma and PTSD, bipolar disorder, psychosis and schizophrenia, personality disorders, substance use disorders, and co-occurring mental illness and substance use. Our practitioner's research background in co-occurring mental health and substance use means overlap between the two is screened for rather than overlooked.
Do I need a referral, and is there a waitlist?
No referral is required and there is no waitlist — you choose the next available time online. A GP referral is still encouraged so we can coordinate your care. See how your first appointment works on the mental health assessment page.
How much does it cost, and do Medicare rebates apply?
Mindora Health is a private clinic. You pay the appointment fee and claim a Medicare rebate, leaving an out-of-pocket gap. The initial 60-minute assessment is $250 (rebate $117.20); telehealth follow-ups start at $50. Full fees and Medicare item numbers are on the fees page. Details of mental health rebates are on the Services Australia website.
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