wellness
Frankston Residents Navigate Three Mental Health Pathways: GP, Psychologist, Counsellor
Frankston residents weighing options for stress relief now face clearer choices among local medical and support services.
How we reported this
Frankston's Peninsula Health recorded 1,240 mental health presentations in the first half of 2026, up from the same period last year.
The increase follows the opening of expanded telehealth slots at several clinics along Nepean Highway and coincides with the council's new stress-management workshops that began in May.
At the Frankston Integrated Care Centre on Kars Street, staff direct callers first to a GP for initial assessment. The same centre runs a weekly drop-in at the old post office site on Playne Street where people can book a single session with a counsellor before committing to longer care.
A 2025 audit by the Mornington Peninsula Primary Health Network showed 68 percent of local adults who sought help for stress started with their GP, while only 22 percent moved straight to a psychologist; average out-of-pocket costs for a 50-minute psychologist appointment sat at $165 after the Medicare rebate.
Choosing the right starting point
GPs at clinics such as the one on Fletcher Road handle medication reviews and rule out physical causes within a standard 15-minute appointment. Psychologists at the same health network provide structured therapy plans that typically run for six to twelve sessions and require a mental-health-care plan from the GP first. Counsellors at the Frankston Community House on Davey Street focus on shorter-term coping strategies and charge $90 for an initial 45-minute meeting with no referral needed.
Residents who notice sleep disruption lasting more than two weeks or panic that interferes with work on Young Street are advised to book the GP slot first. Those already cleared of medical issues but wanting tools for recurring worry can move to a psychologist or counsellor based on session length and cost.
Next steps for locals
Call the Peninsula Health intake line on 9784 7777 before 4 pm on weekdays to secure a same-week appointment. Bring a list of symptoms and any recent sleep or mood notes to speed the conversation. The centre also posts current wait times for each service on its website each Monday morning.