What is the Cardiac Counselling Clinic?

The Cardiac Counselling Clinic provides psychological and behavioural support to people who have had an acute cardiac event, and their families. The support provided through the clinic is particularly relevant for those experiencing anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress, or the cardiac blues, as well as those struggling with lifestyle change. Counselling is provided by telehealth and is available Australia-wide.

Everything we do in the Cardiac Wellbeing Program is evidence-based, drawing on the Centre’s own world-leading research and that of other experts in cardiac-related psychological and behavioural support.

Health professionals can download information for their patients here.

Register Your Details

Do I need a referral?

Counselling can be accessed through a **Mental Health Treatment Plan** from your GP which entitles you to up to 10 counselling sessions per calendar year under Medicare.
Ask your GP to fax the Mental Health Treatment Plan through to our admin. Sessions can be done through telehealth.

From 1 May 2024 the following pricing model will apply to all new clients:

Health & General Psychologist - 50 mins

$185.00 per session, with a Medicare rebate of $96.65 (out of pocket $88.35)
Clients with a valid pension/concession card: $125.00 per session, with a Medicare rebate of $96.65 (out of pocket $28.35)

How do I contact the Clinic?

To make an appointment with the clinic, you can phone the Australian Centre for Heart Health on 03 9326 8544; email us at wellbeing@australianhearthealth.org.au or click the link below:

SCAD Online Support Groups

In response to requests from SCAD survivors for group support, we have developed an online group support program.

The program was designed by our health psychologist, A/Prof Rosemary Higgins, who facilitates the group sessions with a co-facilitator who has lived experience of SCAD. The program follows the principles of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), an evidence-based approach to support psychosocial wellbeing. The 4-week program involves 4 weekly sessions of 1.5 hours.

In 2023, we pilot tested our program with 30 SCAD survivors. We are currently preparing results of the pilot project for publication and conference presentation in 2024. This project was made possible through a National Heart Foundation Vanguard Grant. The project was also overseen by a Project Advisory Group comprising several members with lived experience of SCAD.

Currently, we do not have any dates for future SCAD online support groups. If you are interested in participating one of our programs, please submit your interest here and our team will let you know when dates become available.