Suite 1, Level 3, 20 Wentworth Street, Parramatta Mon–Fri 9am–5pm · By appointment only
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What's going on

Anxiety & worryPanic, phobias, worry Depression & low moodWhen nothing feels worth it Trauma & PTSDEMDR and trauma therapy Stress & burnoutRunning on empty Sleep & insomniaCBT-I Relationships & couplesConflict, distance, repair ADHDAssessment and support OCDExposure-based treatment Grief & lossAfter a death or a loss Anger Pregnancy & new parents All conditions

How we help

Individual therapyOne-to-one or online Couples therapyGottman and EFT-informed TelehealthAustralia-wide, by video
Therapy approachesCBTACTEMDRDBTSchemaAll approaches
Programs & groupsMindfulness-X, P3, EAP AssessmentsADHD, autism, cognitive

Getting started

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New here?How Medicare worksCommon questionsAbout the practice Not sure where to start? 1300 084 200

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Editorial pick

The referral pathways guideWhich form, which plan, how long a report takes.Read the guide
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Editor's pick

Read with intentionA plain guide to stress: what it is, and everyday ways to manage it.Read article
From the journal:Clinician notesSubscribe Plain-language insights from our clinicians

The practice

Our storyWestern Sydney, since 2004 Approach & valuesHow we think about good care Practice newsWhat is changing, and when Room rentalConsulting rooms, Parramatta CareersJoin a values-led practice

Our clinicians

Bülent AdaPrincipal Psychologist & Director Sijal AnsariClinical Psychologist Robert RuaneClinical Neuropsychologist Taline BardakjianConsultant Psychologist Mohan ShankarappaClinical Psychologist Michael L. T. CheungConsultant Psychologist Shahim AhmadClinical Psychologist Steve SuttonCounselling Psychologist Irfan YigitSenior Consultant Psychologist Bill SinghConsultant Psychologist Elizabeth LeeClinical Psychotherapist Shareen BirgesCounselling Social Worker Annette HaggertyConsultant Psychologist

Practical

Your first sessionWhat happens on the day Fees & rebatesMedicare, NDIS, private Questions & answersThe ones we are asked most Contact & locationParramatta, and by video Client portalAppointments, forms, invoices FormsConsent and authority

Find your fit

Meet the cliniciansWarm and down-to-earth. Find the right match for you.Find a psychologist
Visit us:Parramatta clinicTelehealth AU-wideGet directions New clients welcome · no referral needed
Problem-Solving Therapy

Turn overwhelm into a clear next step.

When life's problems pile up until they feel unmanageable, PST offers a clear, structured method to break them down and act, reducing stress and rebuilding a sense of control.

Request appointment How it works
What it helps with

What Problem-Solving Therapy helps with

Every plan is tailored to you. This is a guide to where this approach is most often used.

Not sure if it's the right fit? That's exactly what your first session is for. We'll recommend the approach (or blend of approaches) that suits you.

How it works

The approach, step by step.

A clear sense of how the work unfolds, always at your pace.

  1. 1

    Define the problem

    We get precise about what's actually wrong, because a vague, tangled worry is far harder to solve than a defined one.

    Early sessions
  2. 2

    Generate options

    We brainstorm possibilities without judging them yet, opening up choices you couldn't see while overwhelmed.

    The sessions that follow
  3. 3

    Choose, act, review

    We weigh options, take action, and review how it went, building a repeatable skill you carry forward.

    Ongoing

PST is practical and structured, and often brief. You leave with a concrete method you can apply to whatever life brings next.

Fees & funding

Know your costs before you start.

With a Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP, Medicare rebates apply to individual therapy. We'll always be clear about costs before you begin.

See fees
  • Medicare: rebates on up to 10 sessions a year with a Mental Health Treatment Plan.
  • NDIS, DVA, Workers Comp & CTP: usually no out-of-pocket cost when approved.
  • Private health: claim through your extras cover, with no referral needed.
A white desk with a computer and a black office chair beside large windows in a consulting room.
Your clinicians

Practitioners who use this approach.

See all clinicians
Common questions

Things people ask before booking.

Is PST right for me?
PST suits people feeling swamped by real-life problems, and has research support for stress and for depression tied to difficult circumstances.
How long does it take?
It's usually a focused, shorter course: the goal is to hand you a method you can keep using independently.
What are the steps in Problem-Solving Therapy?
PST usually follows a clear set of steps: define the problem, set a realistic goal, brainstorm possible solutions, weigh them up, choose one, try it and review how it went. Your psychologist also helps with the feelings that can make problems seem bigger, such as stress or hopelessness. With practice, the steps become a habit.
What happens in the first PST session?
Your psychologist will ask about the problems on your plate and how they're affecting you. Together you'll pick one problem to start with, ideally something manageable, and begin working through the steps. You'll leave with a small, concrete action to try.
Can Problem-Solving Therapy be done online?
Yes. PST is structured and practical, so it suits telehealth well. Many people like having sessions from home or work during a busy period.
Is Problem-Solving Therapy covered by Medicare?
Psychologists can provide problem-solving therapy within Medicare's Better Access arrangements. If you have a Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP, you may be eligible for Medicare rebates on sessions with a psychologist. Our team can talk you through it.
Do I need a referral?
No. You can book directly with us any time. A referral and Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP is only needed to claim Medicare rebates.
Related
References
  1. Cuijpers P, de Wit L, Kleiboer A, Karyotaki E, Ebert DD. (2018). Problem-solving therapy for adult depression: An updated meta-analysis. European Psychiatry, 48, 27-37. doi.org/10.1016/j.eurpsy.2017.11.006
  2. Malouff JM, Thorsteinsson EB, Schutte NS. (2007). The efficacy of problem solving therapy in reducing mental and physical health problems: A meta-analysis. Clinical Psychology Review, 27(1), 46-57. doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2005.12.005
  3. Bell AC, D'Zurilla TJ. (2009). Problem-solving therapy for depression: A meta-analysis. Clinical Psychology Review, 29(4), 348-353. doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2009.02.003
Reading and tools

Further reading and free tools.

From the Journal

All articles

Fact sheets

All fact sheets

Free self-checks

The Mind Health Check
Which approach might suit? A rough guide to what each therapy focuses on most; your psychologist will help you choose, and many people use more than one.

Thinking and behaviour

Emotion and acceptance

Trauma memory

Relationships

Strengths and solutions

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Accepting new clients

Your next step starts here.

Tell us what's going on and we'll match you with the right psychologist, usually after a free triage. No referral needed to begin.

Request appointment Call 1300 084 200
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