EMDR and Medicare Mental Health Treatment Plans: Key Points for GPs

kristenfrasercouns
Jul 22
6 min read

Updated: 3 days ago

EMDR Overview for GPs referring under Mental Health Treatment Plans

female doctor in consulting room. key points for GPs on EMDR and Mental Health Treatment Plans — EMDR and GP Mental Health Treatment Plans

This article covers key points for GPs on EMDR and Medicare Mental Health Treatment Plans. EMDR is an evidenced based psychotherapy that is considered first line treatment for PTSD, however, what is not as well known is that EMDR can be used for other mental health presentations. Another key point for GPs is that EMDR is an approved Medicare psychological strategy under Mental Health Treatment Plans.

This overview looks at the research behind EMDR, what mental health conditions EMDR can be used for, how EMDR fits under the Medicare Mental Health Treatment Plan and when GPs should considering referring for EMDR.

What is EMDR?

EMDR is an evidenced based psychotherapy treatment developed by psychologist Francine Shapiro in the 1980's, specifically to treat PTSD in war veterans. EMDR is now used to reduce psychological distress not only for PTSD and trauma, but for a range of mental health conditions.

EMDR involves processing traumatic memories while engaging in bilateral stimulation. Bilateral stimulation is often applied using eye movements from left to right, but other stimulation might include tapping, the use of a light bar for the eyes to follow or EMDR tappers in the hands that pulse. The alternating stimulation activates both hemispheres of the brain to strengthen existing neural pathways and form new ones, as well as helps the amygdala to decrease physical arousal associated with distressing memories. To read more on the mechanisms behind EMDR click here for a more in depth explanation of how EMDR therapy works.

What are the benefits of EMDR?

EMDR has numerous benefits. EMDR doesn't required talking in detail about a distressing issue. EMDR addresses the emotional, cognitive and physical aspects of trauma by changing how memories are stored in the brain. Distressing memories become less vivid and upsetting. EMDR improves emotional regulation skills and clients often experience symptom relief within a few EMDR sessions. Most importantly, EMDR doesn't only address present and past triggers, but also looks at future templates to help individuals with lasting change.

EMDR for broader Mental Health Treatment

EMDR was initially developed to treat PTSD in war veterans in the 1980's and over the decades EMDR has been used to treatment trauma more broadly. However, more recent research indicates effectiveness for other mental health conditions including anxiety, depression and complex grief.

EMDR is gaining news coverage, with this article published on the 6th June 2025 by the ABC outlining the benefits for a client following the sudden loss of his mother, demonstrating how the application of EMDR is widening. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-06-25/emdr-therapy-for-mental-health-treatment/105453498

EMDR and the research data

Over 30 random control trials have shown EMDR to be effective in treating PTSD symptoms in adults and children, these studies support EMDR as first line treatment for PTSD and trauma. EMDR is endorsed by the World Health Organisation and many other international bodies including the Australian Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health.

EMDR has shown significant impact on symptom clusters beyond trauma and PTSD including symptoms charters tics of CPTSD, anxiety and depression.

The Efficacy of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Treatment for Depression: A Meta Analysis and Meta Regression of Randomized Controlled Trials screened 521 studies. The results show that EMDR had a significant effect on reducing depression symptoms with moderate heterogeneity being observed. The study confirms EMDR is effective in treating depression, particularly in severe cases as well as highlighting the need for more standardized research and long term evaluation to assess EMDR's lasting impact.

The Effectiveness of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing towards Anxiety Disorder: A Meta Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials looked at a total of 17 trials with 647 participants. The study showed that EMDR is efficacious for reducing symptoms of anxiety, panic, phobia, and behavioural/somatic symptoms.

What can EMDR be used for?

While EMDR was developed to treat PTSD in war veterans, and has been applied to treat trauma more broadly, research is supporting the use of EMDR for other mental health presentations including:

Anxiety and panic attacks
Depression
Stress
Phobias
Sleep problems
Complicated grief
Self esteem and performance anxiety

EMDR is a transdiagnostic approach that can be used to treat shared underlying processes across different mental health conditions (rather than treating disorders in isolation based on diagnoses). Some examples of shared mechanisms across different mental health conditions include emotional dysregulation, avoidance and cognitive distortions.

What is the Medicare Better Access Scheme?

EMDR is an evidenced based psychotherapy that is an approved psychological strategy under the Medicare Better Access Scheme. The Better Access Scheme gives Medicare rebates for mental health services provided by GPs, Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Accredited Mental Health Social Workers and Occupational Therapists. The Better Access Scheme aims to make psychological talk therapy more affordable and accessible. A Mental Health Treatment Plan lets eligible patients claim up to 10 appointments with a mental health professional.

What are the approved psychological strategies under a Mental Health Treatment Plan?

A range of acceptable strategies has been approved for use by allied health professionals (Psychologists, Mental Health Social Workers and Occupational Therapists) utilising the focused psychological strategies items. EMDR is an evidenced based psychotherapy that is an approved psychological strategy under the Medicare Better Access Scheme.

The complete range of acceptable focused psychological strategies under Medicare are:

psycho-education
cognitive behavioural therapy that involves cognitive or behavioural interventions
relaxation strategies
skills training
interpersonal therapy
EMDR
Narrative Therapy (for Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander People)

Accredited Mental Health Social Workers specialise in talk therapy

Accredited Mental Health Social Workers offer treatment for mental health concerns using focused psychological strategies (talk therapy). Accredited Mental Health Social Workers are Social Workers who have specialised in mental health counselling. Accreditation requires 2 years of supervised practice using psychological strategies. Accredited Mental Health Social Workers are Medicare Approved, meaning Medicare rebates can be claimed under a Mental Health Treatment Plan.

GPs might consider referring to an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker when a patient is looking for talk therapy for mental health symptoms. Accredited Mental Health Social Workers can treat mental health symptoms while also being trained in knowing when to refer a client for an assessment or diagnosis, as well as working collaboratively with a client's care team. Not all patients want or need a diagnosis, but often want immediate talk therapy, which Accredited Mental Health Social Workers are equipped to provide, often without the waiting lists for psychologists or psychiatrists.

GPs might also consider to referring to a mental health professional that specialises in a specific area like trauma or cancer diagnoses or a clinician that specialises in a specific therapy modality, such as CBT or EMDR.

When should GPs consider referring for EMDR?

GPs should consider referring for EMDR when a patient presents with PTSD or other trauma related issues. Other trauma related issues might include a car accident, act of violence, natural disaster, or the passing of a family member, a medical diagnosis, or family relationship separation or breakdowns.

GPs should also consider referring for EMDR when standard treatments like CBT are not providing sufficient relief.

Who can train in EMDR?

Only certain mental health professionals are eligible to undertake EMDR training including:

Psychiatrists
GPs who have specialised in psychological medicine
Psychologists
Accredited Mental Health Social Workers
Mental Health Occupational Therapists
Mental Health Nurses
Counsellors and Psychotherapists

Practitioners must be registered with their applicable registering body such as AHPRA, AASW, PACFA or ACA.

To be a member of of the EMDR Association of Australia requires 50 hours of training.

GPs should ensure referrals for EMDR are to trained EMDR therapists. To find EMDRAA approved therapists use the EMDRAA directory.