QPS SelfRefer Program
Free, Confidential Counselling for Queensland Police Service employees & volunteers
(including State Emergency Service (SES) & Marine Rescue Queensland (MRQ))
Are you dealing with mental distress due to your work, or a mental challenge that day-to-day life has throw up?
Get free, confidential help from highly experienced psychologists at Ahead Psychology through the QPS SelfRefer Program
Make a booking today – its fast and easy. Simply call us on Brisbane (07) 3352 3577 or fill out our QPS SelfRefer Booking form.
Police and other first responders like those in the SES & Marine Rescue often face emotive, tense, distressing, and challenging circumstances. One, or an accumulation of these interactions, can affect your mental health and wellbeing.
Coupled with the day-today stressors that impact on the wider population, police and other first responders are more susceptible to mental illnesses, such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
The QPS SelfRefer Program provides free, confidential access to psychological counselling for whatever reason, personal or work related, to to improve your mental health, well-being and performance.
The 5 most common issues people get help with through the QPS SelfRefer Program are:
- Anxiety
- Relationship Difficulties/ Separation
- Stress
- Work Related Stress
- Adjustment Difficulties
Psychologists at Ahead Psychology registered with
the QPS SelfRefer Program
The following psychologists are approved providers with the QPS SelfRefer program. They are all highly experienced and:
- Are passionate about helping people find strength and joy in themselves, their work, their relationships, their families and their lives
- Provide expert, patient-centered care in a compassionate and confidential environment
- Help with wide range of emotional, behavioural and interpersonal problems
- Are outcome-focused and only undertake effective, evidence-based treatments
In addition, all have specific knowledge and experience in:
- first responder experiences and trauma, and an understanding of the unique nature of the first responder industry
- Trauma, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and in managing the effects of experiencing trauma
If you’re not sure who might be the best match for you, or you have any other questions,
our friendly client support team are always happy to help. Give us a call on (07) 3352 3577
Robyn Kirby
Juliet Whitlock
Richelle Deakin
FAQs about the QPS SelfRefer Program
SelfRefer is an external, emotional and mental wellbeing support option available to all current Queensland Police Service employees and volunteers (including State Emergency Service (SES) and Marine Rescue Queensland (MRQ))
The SelfRefer program allows you to seek help externally from the QPS, ensuring your confidentiality is protected.
The SelfRefer program has been developed with privacy an confidentiality as a top priority to help reduce the barriers to getting appropriate support when you need it.
You can access the SelfRefer Program if you are a current employee or volunteer of the Queensland Police Service (QPS), including the State Emergency Service (SES) or Marine Rescue Queensland (MRQ)
This includes Police Officers, Protective Services Officers, Police Liaison Officers, Watchhouse Officers and staff members in administrative, support and specialist roles, as well as all SES and MRQ volunteers.
No, the SelfRefer program is fully funded by QPS – there is no out-of-pocket cost for current employees and volunteers of the Queensland Police Service (QPS), State Emergency Service (SES) or Marine Rescue Queensland (MRQ)
You can access up to 6 free psychological sessions (up to 6 hours) per financial year (July 1 – June 30).
There are several options if you need more than six sessions.
- Your psychologist can contact the SelfRefer Manager to request an extension of sessions in a deidentified manner. Extensions can not be requested by yourself.
- You can obtain a Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP to continue your treatment with your Provider outside of the QPS-funded SelfRefer Program.
- You can continue your sessions with your provider through your own Private Health rebate or at your own expense.
Counselling sessions can be held in-person at our rooms at Ahead Psychology in Stafford or via telehealth.
You can access SelfRefer for any reason whether its personal or work-related.
The 5 most common issues people get help with through the QPS SelfRefer Program are:
- Anxiety
- Relationship Difficulties/ Separation
- Stress
- Work Related Stress
- Adjustment Difficulties
Yes, couples counselling is covered under the program.
Please note that this does not include other family members currently.
Your privacy and confidentiality is of the upmost importance
Your access to the SelfRefer program is driven by you – there is no approval required from anyone in the QPS, nor do you need a Medicare or GP referral.
Your details are not provided to the QPS. The QPS only receives an invoice with the following information: a de-identified number (e.g. QPS1002), number of sessions attended and the Provider’s details
Psychologists at Ahead Psychology are external to the QPS and operate their own private practices. Psychologists are required to keep all information shared by clients during sessions private and confidential. Information may only be disclosed with the client’s written consent, or when required by law — such as when there is a serious and immediate risk of harm, a court order, or mandatory reporting obligations.
For further details about privacy & confidentiality in the SelfRefer program visit: https://selfrefer.org.au/about-2/confidential-service-provision/
Making a booking is simple. You can
- Call us on 07 33523577 and let us know that you would like to make a booking through the QPS SelfRefer program, or
- Fill in our SelfRefer booking form and we will contact you to arrange an appointment.
Please note we do not offer Emergency or Crisis Support.
If you or someone else is in distress or immediate danger, call 000 as soon as possible or call Lifeline on 13 11 14.