Treatment and Service Options

Our mental health treatment and service options are designed to provide comprehensive, compassionate care tailored to individual needs.

Mental health is a crucial component of overall well-being, and seeking the right treatment and support can make a significant difference in managing and overcoming mental health challenges. 

In this section, you will find detailed information about various treatment and service options available at our hospitals. 

Whether you’re seeking help for yourself or a loved one, understanding the available options can empower you to make informed decisions and access the support you need and assist you in navigating the path to better mental health and well-being.

Inpatient Services

Our hospital inpatient services are designed for patients that need a higher level of support from their treating psychiatrist and the multidisciplinary team of mental health experts.

Inpatient services at our Aurora private hospitals offer a safe, structured, and supportive environment for individuals requiring inpatient care. Our multidisciplinary team of psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, and therapists work collaboratively to provide comprehensive treatment tailored to each patient's unique needs. Within our hospitals, patients receive round-the-clock care, therapeutic interventions, and personalised treatment plans that may include individual therapy, group sessions, medication management, and holistic therapies. 

Our goal is to stabilise acute symptoms, foster recovery, and equip patients with the tools they need for ongoing mental wellness in a nurturing and confidential setting.

Outpatient Psychiatrist Services

Private consulting suites situated within or nearby our mental health hospitals provide a safe and supportive environment for outpatient mental health appointments, with an experienced team of psychiatrists treating a wide range of mental health diagnoses.

These services are designed to help patients manage their mental health conditions, develop coping strategies, and work towards recovery—all while maintaining their daily routines. Our outpatient care provides the continuity of support needed to achieve and sustain long-term mental wellness in a compassionate and confidential setting.

Outpatient Psychology Clinics

Outpatient psychology clinics located close to several of our private mental health hospitals offer specialised, accessible mental health care to individuals who do not require overnight stays. These clinics provide a range of psychological services, including individual therapy, group therapy, and psychological assessments, tailored to address various mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, and stress-related disorders. Patients benefit from flexible scheduling, allowing them to receive expert care while continuing their daily routines. The clinics are staffed by experienced psychologists and mental health professionals who work collaboratively with patients to develop personalised treatment plans aimed at improving mental well-being and enhancing overall quality of life.

Our locations with psychology clinics are: 

  • Belmont Psychology Clinic
  • Currumbin Psychology Clinic
  • Robina Private Speciality Clinic
  • South Coast Private Psychology Clinic

Day Therapy Group Programs

Aurora mental health day therapy group programs are structured, short-term treatment options designed for individuals who need intensive therapy support for their mental well-being. These programs offer a blend of therapeutic activities, psychoeducation, and skill-building workshops, all within a supportive environment. Participants attend the program during the day and return home in the evening, allowing them to maintain their daily routines while receiving comprehensive mental health care. The focus is on providing practical strategies to manage symptoms, improve coping mechanisms, and foster recovery, empowering individuals to regain control of their lives. The programs are available as ongoing recovery support programs post hospitalisation or as an alternative to inpatient treatment for some people.  

Hospital in the home mental health services

Across many of our hospitals, we offer hospital in the home mental health services designed to help you manage your symptoms and enhance your well-being in the comfort of your own environment. Our goal is to empower you to take control of your mental health, reducing the need for repeated inpatient admissions.

As part of our hospital in the home programs, you will receive visits from a qualified mental health professional, either in your home or at a community location, such as a café or during a walk. This service, provided by a psychologist, social worker, or registered nurse, is available as follow-up care after discharge or as an alternative to hospital admission.

Whether you're transitioning out of hospital or seeking an alternative to admission, our hospital in the home services are here to support you in achieving better mental health and well-being.

Esketamine Therapy

Esketamine therapy offers an alternative for individuals with treatment-resistant depression, providing relief for those who have not responded to traditional antidepressants. Administered as a nasal spray under medical supervision, esketamine acts on the brain's glutamate system, which is different from conventional antidepressants that target serotonin and norepinephrine. This unique mechanism can lead to faster improvements in mood and depressive symptoms, often within hours to days. 

In addition to its rapid action, esketamine therapy has been shown to reduce suicidal thoughts, making it a critical option for individuals in acute mental health crises. The therapy is typically used in conjunction with an oral antidepressant, enhancing overall treatment effectiveness. Regular monitoring by healthcare providers ensures the safe administration of esketamine, with the potential to significantly improve the quality of life for patients struggling with severe depression.

Our locations providing esketamine therapy:

  • Abbotsford Private Hospital

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and rTMS

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain, to improve symptoms of depression. Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) is a specific type of TMS where magnetic pulses are delivered in a repeated, rhythmic pattern.

While TMS refers to the general technique, rTMS is one of its most common forms, so the terms are often used interchangeably. Both involve similar principles, but rTMS specifies the repeated nature of the stimulation.

What are the benefits of rTMS?

  • rTMS delivers magnetic pulses repetitively, which can result in longer-lasting changes in brain activity. 
  • rTMS is typically used when other depression treatments haven’t been effective. 

rTMS is a treatment option provided at all Aurora Healthcare hospitals.

Psychiatry verses Psychology

Psychiatry and psychology both treat mental health conditions but in different ways. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who can prescribe medications to treat mental health issues. They focus on how the body and brain affect mental health and often use medicine to help patients feel better.

A psychologist, on the other hand, is not a medical doctor but has special training to understand how people think, feel, and behave. They provide therapy and help people work through their challenges by talking and using different techniques to change thinking and behaviour.

At Aurora Healthcare we often draw on the experience and benefits of both psychiatry and psychology when developing treatment plans to ensure our patients receive a holistic care plan on their road to recovery.