NDIS Therapeutic Support: What It Covers and How It Works
A lot of NDIS participants I speak with have therapeutic support funding in their plan and are not sure what to do with it. Some do not know it is there. Some know it is there but are not sure what it actually covers. In this post I want to explain what NDIS therapeutic support is, who can access it, and how it works in practice.
What is NDIS therapeutic support?
Therapeutic support is a funded support category under the NDIS. It covers services like counselling, psychology, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. The idea is to build your capacity to manage daily life and work toward your goals.
Counselling sits within this category. If your plan includes Improved Daily Living funding, there is a reasonable chance you have money available to see a counsellor. Not every plan includes it, so I would suggest checking your plan document or asking your support coordinator if you are not sure.
Who can access it?
To use NDIS funding for counselling, your plan needs to include therapeutic support funding and you need to be either self-managed or plan-managed.
Agency-managed participants can only see registered NDIS providers. I am not a registered provider, which means I work with self-managed and plan-managed participants only. If you are not sure which category applies to you, it will be listed in your plan. In my experience, self-managed and plan-managed participants tend to have more choice about who they see, which often means shorter wait times and a better chance of finding the right fit.
What does a session with me actually look like?
My sessions through NDIS-funded counselling are one-on-one and run for 50 minutes. If you are in Cairns or the Far North Queensland area, you can come in person. If distance or transport is a barrier, I also offer telehealth counselling across Australia.
I use the first session to understand where you are, what brought you here, and what you want from the work. I do not require a referral and there is no lengthy intake process before we begin. You can find out more about how I work at Strong Foundation Support.
What do people bring to sessions?
In my work I see a lot of people who are not in crisis but are carrying the slower, accumulated weight of living with a disability in a world that was not designed for them. That can include adjusting to a diagnosis, working through how disability affects relationships or employment, or dealing with the anxiety that builds from years of having to fight for the support you need.
For NDIS participants, I find anxiety often has a specific shape to it. Plan reviews, system uncertainty, the gap between what you need and what gets funded. These things accumulate over time. The Australian Psychological Society has useful background on anxiety and how it is treated if you want to read more.
For men, I know there is often an added layer. A lot of the men I see through men's counselling in Cairns are not looking for something formal or clinical. They want somewhere direct and practical, without having to justify why they are there.
How does payment work?
If you are plan-managed, your plan manager handles the invoicing. I send the invoice to them after each session and you do not need to be involved in the financial side.
If you are self-managed, you pay after the session and claim it back through the NDIS participant portal. Once you have done it once, it takes a few minutes. I keep my fees within the limits set by the NDIS Support Catalogue and Price Guide so there are no surprises.
What if your plan does not include this funding?
If your plan does not include Improved Daily Living funding, I would encourage you to raise it at your next plan review. You would need to explain how counselling connects to your disability and your goals. A support coordinator can help you build that case.
If you are not yet an NDIS participant and want to understand whether you might be eligible, the NDIS website has clear information about access requirements.
I also offer private individual counselling in Cairns for people who are not NDIS participants or whose current plan does not cover therapeutic support.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use my NDIS funding to see a counsellor?
Yes, if your plan includes Improved Daily Living funding you can use it for counselling. You need to be self-managed or plan-managed to access an unregistered provider like me.
Do I need a GP referral for NDIS counselling?
No. I do not require a referral to get started. You need the funding in your plan and to get in contact with me directly.
What is the difference between a counsellor and a psychologist under the NDIS?
Both can provide therapeutic support. Psychologists generally charge a higher rate under the NDIS price guide. Working with me as a counsellor can be a practical option for regular ongoing sessions, particularly if you want your funding to go further.
How do I know if my plan includes therapeutic support?
Look for Improved Daily Living in your plan document. If it is listed, you likely have some funding available. Your plan manager or support coordinator can confirm this for you.
NDIS therapeutic support can fund your sessions if your plan includes the right category of funding. Whether you are self-managed or plan-managed, I find the process is more straightforward than most people expect. I see people in person in Cairns and by telehealth across Australia.
If this sounds like what you are looking for, you can read more about how I work at Strong Foundation Support or get in touch with me directly. You might also want to read more about NDIS-funded counselling or men's counselling in Cairns.
Contact Allan Bunyan Strong Foundation Support Phone: 0423 763 712 Email: allan@strongfoundationsupport.com Website: www.strongfoundationsupport.com
About Allan Bunyan Allan Bunyan is a certified counsellor (CPCA) based in Cairns, Queensland, and the founder of Strong Foundation Support. He works with adults and young people aged 14 and over, with a focus on men's counselling and NDIS-funded therapeutic support. Allan has worked in support coordination since 2018 and brings lived experience of disability to his practice. Sessions are available in person in Cairns and via telehealth across Australia.
