Your Guide to Accredited Mental Health Social Workers (AMHSWs)
Support looks different for everyone. Knowing who you’re working with is the first step to feeling safe and seen.
Did you know?
If you're referred by your GP, paediatrician, or psychiatrist, you may be eligible for a Medicare rebate when seeing an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker (AMHSW) in private practice. AMHSWs are registered Medicare providers and specially trained to support your mental health and wellbeing.
What is an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker (AMHSW)?
An Accredited Mental Health Social Worker (AMHSW) is a university qualified social worker who has gone on to complete extensive additional training and supervised experience specifically in the area of mental health. To become accredited, a social worker must first complete an approved university degree in Social Work, then go on to gain a minimum of two years' postgraduate clinical experience in a mental health setting.
They also need to complete ongoing professional development, receive regular clinical supervision, and provide detailed evidence of their skills, knowledge, and therapeutic experience to the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). This accreditation process is thorough and reflective, it ensures AMHSWs are not only skilled in evidence-based therapies, but are also able to support people experiencing a wide range of mental health concerns with empathy, insight, and professionalism.
What’s the difference between an AMHSW and a Clinical Psychologist?
If you're exploring therapy options, you might come across both Accredited Mental Health Social Workers (AMHSWs) and Clinical Psychologists and wonder, what’s the difference?
Both professionals are trained to support a wide range of mental health concerns, from anxiety and depression to trauma, grief, relationship difficulties, and more. Both can provide evidence-based therapies, are eligible to register with Medicare, and often work closely with GPs and other health professionals.
But here’s where they differ:
Accredited Mental Health Social Workers (AMHSWs) come from a social work background. This means their training places a strong focus on the social, relational, and environmental factors that affect mental health—like family dynamics, trauma, community, and identity. AMHSWs are trained not just in individual therapy, but also in systems thinking, advocacy, and case coordination. Many clients find this holistic approach incredibly grounding, especially when their struggles are shaped by complex life circumstances.
Clinical Psychologists, on the other hand, are trained through a psychology pathway, which involves completing a postgraduate degree (such as a Master's or Doctorate in Clinical Psychology). Their training focuses heavily on psychological assessment, diagnosis, and structured treatment protocols. They are especially skilled in psychological testing and working with more complex mental health conditions using structured therapeutic models.
In simple terms:
AMHSWs bring a trauma-informed, relational, and holistic lens
Clinical Psychologists often bring a medical-model and diagnostic-focused lens
Both are highly trained, compassionate, and here to support you
At Althea Collective, we believe the most important thing is finding a therapist who makes you feel safe, seen, and supported; regardless of their title. It’s the connection and the care that truly makes therapy work.
When should I see an AMHSW?
Life can feel heavy sometimes, and you don’t have to carry that alone. An AMHSW can help when:
You're feeling persistently low, anxious or overwhelmed
You’ve gone through a tough breakup or relationship conflict
There’s tension in your family, friendships, or workplace
You’re navigating a return to work or daily life after illness or injury
You feel disconnected or isolated
You’ve been diagnosed with (or suspect you have) a mental health condition
You don’t need to wait for a crisis, early support can make all the difference.
How can an AMHSW support me?
AMHSWs are trained in a wide range of evidence-based therapies to help you feel supported, understood, and empowered to make meaningful change. Some of the supports that might be offered include:
Therapies often covered under Medicare:
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Interpersonal Therapy
Relaxation strategies
Parenting support
Building interpersonal and emotional regulation skills
Other approaches may include:
Relationship and couples counselling
Family therapy
Grief and bereavement support
Psychotherapy tailored to your needs
We also work closely with other health professionals in your care team, helping ensure your support is connected and collaborative. After all, us social workers do love a yap!
Is my information confidential?
Yes, absolutely. At Althea Collective, your privacy is taken seriously. Accredited Mental Health Social Workers follow strict ethical guidelines around confidentiality, and we also ensure our practices are aligned with Australian privacy laws, HIPAA compliance standards, and AHPRA guidelines where relevant. What you share in your sessions is treated with care, respect, and discretion.
The only time your information might be shared is if there is a serious concern for your safety or the safety of others; and even then, we will do our best to talk this through with you wherever possible
How do I get a Medicare rebate?
To receive a Medicare rebate when seeing an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker:
Make an appointment to see your GP, paediatrician or psychiatrist
Take this information with you and ask your GP for a mental health treatment plan and a referral letter, or
If you are being referred by your psychiatrist or paediatrician, just ask for a referral letter.
How can I find an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker?
You can search for Accredited Mental Health Social Workers in the AASW ‘Find a Social Worker’ online database: https://www.aasw.asn.au/find-a-social-worker/ or you can ask your GP to refer you to an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker in your area.
