Anxiety and stress
Bulk billedAnxiety and stress
Bulk billedWorry, panic, overwhelm and stress at work or home, with practical strategies and referrals.
Book online →Mental health support, starting with a conversation.
If you are feeling anxious, low, stressed or not yourself, talking to your GP is a good first step. We provide mental health treatment plans, ongoing support and referrals to psychologists and our on-site counsellor, bulk billed for Medicare card holders.
Three ways to book: HotDoc · online · or by phone.
You do not need to have it figured out.
Come as you are. Your GP will listen, help make sense of what is happening and work with you on a plan.
One in five Australians experiences a mental health condition each year. A GP is often the first person to talk to, because they know your history, can rule out physical causes and can open the door to further support. Dr Mustafa Hafiz focuses on mental health as part of general practice, and all of our doctors see patients for mental health concerns.
What a mental health appointment involves
A longer, unhurried conversation about how you have been feeling, sleeping and coping, what has changed, and what support you already have. Your GP may use a short questionnaire to help understand your symptoms, check for physical contributors such as thyroid or iron problems, and discuss options including counselling, psychology, lifestyle changes and, where appropriate, medication.
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GP mental health treatment plans
If ongoing psychological support would help, your GP can prepare a mental health treatment plan. This gives you access to Medicare rebates for sessions with a psychologist or other eligible mental health professional. We review the plan with you to see how it is going.
Good to know
Francesca Palazzolo, our on-site counsellor, works with individuals and families affected by anxiety, depression, trauma, addiction and life stress. Your GP can refer you a few steps down the hall.
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Ongoing support
Regular check-ins in person or by telehealth, support for families and carers, perinatal mental health during and after pregnancy, and help for young people. If you are in crisis or thinking about harming yourself, call 000, Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the NSW Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511, available 24 hours.
What we can help with.
Bulk billed for patients with a valid Medicare card. Long appointments are recommended.
Tap to learn more
Low mood and depression
Bulk billedLow mood and depression
Bulk billedAssessment, support, treatment options and regular review with the same GP.
Book online →Mental health treatment plans
Bulk billedMental health treatment plans
Bulk billedPlans that give Medicare rebates for psychologist sessions, reviewed with your GP.
Book online →Counselling on site
PrivateCounselling on site
PrivateReferral to Francesca Palazzolo, counsellor and psychotherapist, consulting from the clinic.
Book online →Perinatal mental health
Bulk billedPerinatal mental health
Bulk billedSupport for anxiety and depression during pregnancy and after birth, for mothers and fathers.
Book online →Sleep and burnout
Bulk billedSleep and burnout
Bulk billedInsomnia, exhaustion and burnout, including physical checks and sleep strategies.
Book online →What to expect.
Ask reception for a long appointment so there is time to talk.
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Book a long appointmentBook online or call reception. You do not need to explain why; just ask for a long appointment.
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Talk with your GPA confidential conversation about how you are feeling, with a check for physical causes and a discussion of options.
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Your plan and supportA mental health treatment plan if helpful, referrals to psychology or our counsellor, and regular check-ins in person or by telehealth.
Bring with youMedicare cardCurrent medicinesNotes on sleep, mood or triggersA support person if you wish
Who you'll see.
Dr Hafiz focuses on mental health; all our GPs provide mental health care. Francesca Palazzolo consults on site.
Focuses on this area
General Practitioner · Medical Director
Dr Mustafa HafizMChD, FRACGP
Skin cancer checks and minor procedures, men's health, mental health and family medicine.
Available Mon · Tue · Wed · Fri · Sun
Focuses on this area
General Practitioner
Dr Zainab ShiraziDiploma in Dermatology
Women's health, children's health and skin conditions.
Available Mon · Tue · Wed · Fri · Sat
Focuses on this area
General Practitioner
Dr Mohammed HossainMBBS, FRACGP, Diploma in Dermatology
Chronic and complex conditions, heart, gut and kidney health, weight management.
Available Mon · Wed
General Practitioner
Dr Robert ReidMBBS · In general practice since 1980
Mental health, chronic illness, disability care and general family medicine.
Available Ask reception
Fees and bulk billing.
GP mental health appointments, treatment plans and reviews are bulk billed for Medicare card holders.
Full fee guide
100% bulk billing clinic
Standard GP consultations at Toongabbie Doctors are bulk billed for patients with a valid Medicare card, so there is no out-of-pocket cost to see your doctor.
Psychologist sessions under a mental health treatment plan attract Medicare rebates; the psychologist may charge a gap.
Counselling with Francesca Palazzolo is billed privately; ask reception for current fees.
Telehealth mental health appointments are bulk billed for eligible patients.
Common questions.
Common questions about mental health care.
A plan prepared by your GP that assesses your mental health, sets goals and gives you access to Medicare rebates for sessions with a psychologist or other eligible provider. It is bulk billed and reviewed with your GP.
Your consultation is confidential. Information is only shared with other health professionals involved in your care, with your consent, or where required by law to keep you or others safe.
No. Medication is one option among several, and many people are helped by counselling, psychology and lifestyle changes alone. Your GP will discuss the benefits and downsides of each option with you.
Yes. Francesca Palazzolo can be booked directly through reception or HotDoc. A GP referral is helpful for coordinating care but is not required.
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 000. For urgent support call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the NSW Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511, both available 24 hours a day.
Related services.
GP Consultations and Same-Day AppointmentsStandard, long and same-day GP appointments, bulk billed.Learn more →Telehealth AppointmentsPhone and video GP consultations for eligible patients.Learn more →Allied Health and PhysiotherapyPhysiotherapy, podiatry, dietitian and counselling in the same clinic.Learn more →Men's HealthHeart, prostate, hormone and mental health checks for men.Learn more →
From the Health Journal.
All articlesGetting care · 5 min readTelehealth GP appointments: what can and can't be done over the phoneTelehealth is now a permanent part of general practice. Here is what it is good for, when you still need to come in, and how to make the most of a phone or video appointment.Read article →Mental health · 6 min readMental health care plan: how to get one and what it coversFeeling anxious, low or overwhelmed is common, and help is closer than many people think. A bulk billed GP appointment can set up a plan that funds psychology sessions. Here is how.Read article →
Take the first step.
Book a long appointment online or call reception. Bulk billed for Medicare card holders, with our counsellor a few steps away.
Three ways to book: HotDoc · online · or by phone on (02) 7813 6000.
Toongabbie Doctors · Shop 1, Toongabbie Point
Monday to Friday8:00am - 5:00pm
Saturday8:00am - 1:00pm
SundayClosed
ParkingFree via Cox Lane