How We Help with Depression, Anxiety & Mental Health
At Total Health Choice we understand that Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy and Exercise Physiology delivered with compassion is highly meaningful and helpful for our community living with mental health challenges.
The term mental health refers to cognitive and emotional wellbeing, and it is becoming more widely recognised as a central component of overall health. We love the opportunity to help people holistically.
Mental health challenges can have many different impacts on someone’s life, and can contribute to:
- Social isolation
- Anxiety manifesting as increased heart rate, feelings of trepidation
- Not feeling able to trust anyone
- Loss of self-esteem
- Depressed mood
- Lethargy and fatigue
- Poor diet and health choices
Fortunately, there is a lot that can be done, and Total Health Choice is always ready to help!
At Total Health Choice, we work with many patients who are dealing with mental health challenges. This includes conditions such as Depression, Schizophrenia, Bipolar disease, Borderline personality disorder and Anxiety disorders.
We understand that people living with these challenges may feel dark, alone or forgotten, we’ll do our best to make people experience our values of trust, compassion and care.
Services
Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy and Exercise Physiology are recognised interventions in the management of mental health.
Physiotherapy
Individuals with mental health challenges often experience physical challenges too. These may be as a result of physical inactivity due to their mental state. This ultimately can affect their mobility, strength and balance.
At Total Health Choice we take an active approach to patient care when dealing with individuals with mental health challenges. The Physiotherapy Team at Total Health Choice aims to optimise wellbeing and empower the individual by promoting functional movement, movement awareness, physical activity and exercises, bringing together physical and mental aspects.
We also provide manual therapy and client-centred approach to care as we understand each individual’s needs are unique and we aim to ensure we can make a difference to our patient’s lives through manual therapy and rehabilitation.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational Therapists support individuals with mental health challenges to identify some of their core issues. In doing so, they can help people to become more engaged in the community and to reduce feelings of isolation.
Occupational Therapists also take a holistic approach to patient care. They engage with each client to understand their individual needs and help them to achieve optimal outcomes for their life and wellbeing.
An Occupational Therapist may support a client through therapies such as:
- Sensory profiling
- Assistance with developing a daily routine
- Behavioural therapy
They can also provide support in
- Finding suitable employment
- Accessing a psychologist
- Accessing additional mental health or community services
- Prescribing assistive technology
Exercise Physiology
Exercise physiologists can contribute to wellbeing and support individuals to improve their overall fitness and thus their quality of life. This is primarily achieved through promoting functional rehabilitation, introducing passive movements, and performing exercise together.
When it comes to mental wellbeing, we acknowledge there is no single prescription that will suit everyone. An Exercise Physiologist will support someone to find physical activities that they enjoy and hopefully, will be inspired to continue with in a consistent way.
Benefits of exercise Physiology include:
- Decrease symptoms of mental health conditions
- improve sleep quality
- help control weight gain induced by medication
- improve chronic disease outcomes, e.g. type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease
At Total Health Choice our Exercise Physiologists take a holistic approach to client care and will often provide meditation as part of a treatment plan.
Mental Health and the NDIS
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) does an incredible job supporting people with mental health challenges. Those supports are critically important for many people.
Total Health Choice is an NDIS registered provider and we feel the values of the NDIS are synonymous with our own.
Is Total Health Choice is right for you?
At Total Health Choice we care about helping our patients to achieve the very best outcomes they can.
We focus on upholding our values of trust, compassion & care for each person we see. It is our commitment to these values that makes us a wonderful provider to consider.
For all of our clients – but especially for those with mental health challenges – we understand how important it is to be supported by people who are trustworthy and supportive, and who listen and understand.
To make an enquiry, please use our contact page.
Mental Health Treatment FAQ
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Can Total Health Choice work as part of a multidisciplinary team to support someone with a mental health disability?
Patients almost always benefit from a multidisciplinary team approach.
For example, our Occupational Therapist works well not just with the patient themselves, but also with their Psychologist, family and support worker.
In our experience, it is often the client’s support worker who is the most trusted support, and so we always ensure we work closely with support workers in order to best understand and help the client.
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When is the right time to contact Total Health Choice? Should I see a counsellor first?
Any time is the right time. There is no need to visit a GP or counsellor prior to engaging us.
Taking action is the first step to feeling better. Please feel free to phone us, to see if we’re right for you.
While we provide evidence-based therapy, we also try to make our community feel loved.
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What happens during an initial assessment for treating mental health?
Whenever we start with a new client we complete a comprehensive initial assessment. This includes a full functional assessment as well as an overview of the patient’s social history.
We may discuss elements such as:
- Childhood experiences
- Current situation and health
- Living environments
- Existing supports
- Key relationships including family or friendships.
We then discuss goals and expectations in order to establish how we can best help. We work together to find ways to overcome challenges and increase independence.
A positive outcome would help a person improve their wellbeing and hopefully, lower the amount of supports required and even achieve full rehabilitation.
We are committed to supporting each and every client in achieving significant and meaningful improvements to their health and quality of life.
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What are the impacts of COVID-19?
As Australia moves through the next two years, we anticipate seeing increased levels of anxiety and isolation as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. People are facing challenges relating to unemployment, social isolation, increased time spent on technology and stress and fear relating to the virus itself.
Total Health Choice continues to operate throughout COVID-19 (Please read our COVID-19 response here).
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Can you share a clinical reflection on treating mental health?
Total Health Choice has recently supported a client who has been dealing with significant mental health challenges. This client was hospitalised after experiencing suicidal ideation.
Her support coordinator was integral in getting her the support she needed. As a result, our team has been working with her to support her in achieving a more positive approach to life.
She has improved immensely and is taking active steps to look after her own physical and mental health now.
She is engaging in an exercise program, managing her weight through a meal program, and is already seeing the benefits of improving her own health.
These are significant, and very meaningful, steps forward for her and for the clinicians here.