For the people who feel "too complex" for mainstream services
Support and advocacy for chronic illness, disability, neurodivergence, and complicated medical journeys — via telehealth, Australia-wide.
If you've been dismissed, disbelieved, or handed from waitlist to waitlist — if you're managing a body that doesn't behave and a system that doesn't listen — you don't have to explain yourself from scratch here. I'm Mel, a social worker with my own lived experience of chronic illness and medical complexity. I know this terrain from the inside, and I built Lomatia for the people the system wasn't built for.
How I can help
No pressure, no obligation, no need to have it figured out first.
Master of Social Work (UTAS) · AASW Member · Concession rates available · Self- and plan-managed NDIS participants welcome
About
Hi, I'm Mel — a social worker, advocate, and the person behind Lomatia Social Work.
I founded Lomatia because I believe there is a gap between the support people deserve and the support they can actually access. Too many people fall through the cracks of a system that wasn't designed with them in mind — people who are too complex for a standard six-session plan, too exhausted by illness to navigate bureaucracy alone, too often made to feel like their needs are inconvenient. Lomatia exists for those people.MY APPROACH
I work from a strengths-based, trauma-informed, and anti-oppressive framework — which in plain language means this: I don't see you as a problem to be solved. I see you as a whole person with your own wisdom, resilience, and capacity for growth, who might simply need someone in their corner right now.
I won't tell you how to feel or what to do. I'll listen — really listen — ask questions that help you find your own clarity, advocate alongside you when systems feel impossible, and celebrate the small wins that often go unnoticed.
Recovery, in my view, isn't a destination. It's a direction. And it looks different for every single person.MY BACKGROUND
I hold a Master of Social Work from the University of Tasmania (2025; Distinction), and a Bachelor of Psychological Science from Central Queensland University (2021; Distinction). I am an AASW and ANZMHA member.
My field placement experience spans over 1,000 hours across three distinct settings — community mental health, residential aged care, and child and family welfare — giving me a broad and grounded foundation across the lifespan and across complex systems.
Before and alongside my formal training, I have lived experience of navigating chronic illness, disability, and the particular exhaustion of managing medical complexity alongside everyday life. I know what it feels like to need support and struggle to find something that fits. That experience doesn't make me your therapist — it makes me someone who genuinely understands, and who won't ask you to explain yourself from scratch.
I also bring a background in art and photography to my practice — a creative lens that shapes the way I see people and tell their stories. Beauty and potential exist in every situation, even the hardest ones. Sometimes it just takes a different kind of looking.WHY LOMATIA?
Lomatia tasmanica is one of Tasmania's most remarkable native plants — ancient, resilient, and found nowhere else on Earth. It has survived for over 43,000 years not by being unchanging, but by quietly regenerating, tending toward light, and enduring.
That feels like the right metaphor for this work. For the people who keep going despite everything. For the slow, quiet, real kind of recovery that doesn't make headlines but changes lives.
Rooted in strengths. Tending toward light.MEMBERSHIPS & TRAININGAustralian Association of Social Workers (AASW) — Member
Member of the Australian & New Zealand Mental Health Association
HoNOS (Health of the Nation Outcome Scales) trained
Trauma-Informed Practice trained
Cultural Competency trained — including Indigenous communities
Dementia Care training at Dementia Australia
Evidence-Based Practice for Borderline Personality Disorder
Ongoing Continuing Professional Development (CPD)A NOTE ON LIVED EXPERIENCE
At Lomatia, lived experience is not a footnote — it is part of my foundation. I understand from the inside what it means to navigate illness, difference, and systems that don't always make space for complexity. This understanding informs every aspect of how I work, and it means you will never have to perform wellness or minimise your experience to be heard here.
Fees
CONCESSION RATESI believe that financial barriers should never be the reason someone can't access support. At Lomatia Social Work, I am committed to keeping my services as accessible as possible — which is why I offer concession fees.
Concession rates are available to Health Care Card, Pensioner Concession Card, Commonwealth Seniors Health Card, and DVA card holders. Simply select the concession rate when booking and you'll be asked to provide your card type and number on the intake form. I keep this process as simple and straightforward as possible — if you have a valid concession card, the concession rate is yours. If you are receiving a Centrelink payment, are a student, or experiencing financial difficulties but do not have a valid card, please get in touch to discuss options.
| Session Fees | Full Fee | Concession |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Consultation (60 Minutes) | $140 | $80 |
| Initial Consultation (90 Minutes) | $195 | $110 |
| Individual Session (50 Minutes) | $130 | $70 |
| Brief Check-in (30 Minutes)* | $70 | $40 |
| Case Management/Service Coordination (Per Hour) | $135 | $80 |
*Existing clients only
| Session Packages | Full Price | Savings | Concession |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5-Session Package | $545 | Saving $105 | $320 |
| 10-Session Package | $1020 | Saving $280 | $580 |
MEDICARE & PRIVATE HEALTH
Please note that Lomatia Social Work is not a Medicare provider. Sessions cannot be claimed through a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP), Medicare rebate, or private health insurance.NDISAgency-managed NDIS registration coming soon
I currently welcome NDIS participants who are self-managed or plan-managed. Sessions can be billed directly to your NDIS plan under the relevant support category.
Rates for NDIS participants are the same as standard sessions.PAYMENTS
Payments are made via the secure telehealth platform Halaxy at the time of your session. Invoices and receipts are issued for every session — suitable for NDIS, private health, and personal records. If you prefer a different method of payment, please get in touch to talk about options.CANCELLATION POLICY
I understand that life — especially life with chronic illness, neurodivergence, or complex caring responsibilities — is unpredictable. I approach cancellations with flexibility and compassion.
I ask that you give as much notice as possible if you need to cancel or reschedule. Cancellations made with less than 24 hours notice without a valid reason may incur a cancellation fee of up to 50% of the session fee. I will always consider individual circumstances.ANY QUESTIONS?
If you're unsure about fees, payment options, or whether Lomatia Social Work is the right fit for you, please reach out — there's no obligation and no pressure. I offer free 15 minute discovery calls via phone or video to see if Lomatia is the right fit for you.
Get in Touch
Frequently Asked Questions
Can't find what you're looking for? Get in touch — I'm happy to help.
Getting Started
Telehealth simply means we meet online rather than in person — via secure video call or phone, from wherever you are most comfortable. There's no waiting room, no travel, and no need to be anywhere other than a quiet space where you feel at ease.
All sessions are delivered through a secure, encrypted platform in line with Australian privacy requirements. You'll receive a link before your session — just click it at your appointment time and we're connected.
Not much! You'll need:
- A device with a camera and microphone — a smartphone, tablet, or laptop all work well
- A stable internet connection
- A reasonably private space where you feel comfortable talking
If video isn't possible on a given day, phone sessions are always available as an alternative — just let me know.
The first session is relaxed and low-pressure. There's no set script or formal assessment process — it's really just a chance to get to know each other.
We'll talk about what's brought you here, what you're hoping support might look like, and any questions you have about how I work. We'll also cover some practical information about privacy, consent, and what to expect going forward.
You don't need to prepare anything or have it all figured out before you arrive. Showing up is enough.
The best way to find out is simply to reach out. I offer a brief, no-obligation phone or email conversation before you book your first session — just so you can get a feel for whether this feels right.
A good fit matters. If after connecting I feel that a different type of support might serve you better, I'll always say so honestly and help point you in the right direction. I'd rather you find the right support than the wrong support quickly.
That's completely okay — most people aren't sure, and you don't need to figure it out before reaching out. Just send me a message with a brief description of what's going on for you, and I'll suggest what might suit your situation best.
Many clients find their needs span more than one area, and that's absolutely fine — I work holistically and your support can evolve over time.
No referral is needed to book an appointment. You can contact me directly at any time or book a free 15 minute phone or video call using the calendar on this website.
If you have a GP or other health professional you'd like me to communicate with as part of your care, I am very happy to do that with your consent — but it's never a requirement.
About Social Work
A social worker is a qualified health professional trained to support people's wellbeing across all areas of life — emotional, practical, social, and systemic. Social workers take a whole-person approach, meaning I consider not just how you're feeling, but the circumstances, systems, and relationships that shape your life.
The key differences are:
A psychologist holds a psychology degree and AHPRA registration, and can provide formal psychological assessment and diagnosis. They are Medicare-registered providers.
A counsellor provides talk-based support, but in Australia the title is currently unregulated — meaning anyone can technically use it regardless of training.
A social worker holds an accredited social work degree, and members of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) are bound by a professional code of ethics and practice standards. Social work sits at the intersection of emotional support and practical advocacy — I can help you process difficult experiences and navigate the systems affecting your life.
Lomatia Social Work is not a Medicare provider, which means sessions cannot be claimed through a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) or Medicare rebate.
This does not mean social work support is less valuable — it simply means I operate outside the Medicare system. Many people prefer this, as it means there is no formal diagnosis required, no paperwork to navigate, and no limit on the number of sessions you can access.
I am unable to create or accept Mental Health Care Plans — these are issued by GPs and accepted by Medicare-registered providers such as psychologists.
If you are interested in accessing Medicare-rebatable mental health support, speak with your GP about your options. I am happy to work alongside a GP or psychologist as part of your broader support network.
Yes — everything you share in sessions is confidential. There are a small number of legal and ethical exceptions where I may be required to share information, including if there is an immediate risk to your safety or the safety of others, or if I am required to do so by law.
I will always discuss confidentiality with you in the first session so you know exactly where you stand.
NDIS
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is an Australian government programme that provides funding to people living with permanent and significant disability, to help them access the supports they need to live a good life.
Social workers are recognised NDIS support providers. If you have NDIS funding, you may be able to use it to access my services — including individual support sessions, case management, and service coordination — without paying out of pocket.
It depends on how your NDIS plan is managed. There are three types of plan management:
Self-managed — you manage your own NDIS funds. You can engage any provider you choose, including me. You pay for sessions directly and then claim the cost back from the NDIA yourself. This is the simplest option for working with me.
Plan-managed — a plan manager handles your funds on your behalf. You can still see me — I simply invoice your plan manager directly rather than you. No out-of-pocket cost for you.
Agency-managed (NDIA-managed) — the NDIA manages your funds directly. At this stage Lomatia Social Work is not a registered NDIS provider, which means I am unable to directly bill agency-managed plans. Please get in touch to discuss your options — I am working toward broader NDIS access in the future.
Social work supports typically fall under the Improved Daily Living (Category 7) or Support Coordination funding categories in an NDIS plan. If you're not sure what's in your plan, check your plan document or contact your Local Area Coordinator (LAC) or plan manager — they can tell you what categories you have funding in and whether social work is covered.
Contact
I'd love to hear from you.
Whether you're ready to book, want to ask a question first, or just want to get a feel for whether Lomatia Social Work might be the right fit — reaching out is the first step, and there's no pressure or obligation attached to it.
I aim to respond to all enquiries within two business days.
Other ways to reach me:
📧 [email protected]
Instagram: LomatiaTAS
Facebook: Lomatia Social WorkNot ready to reach out yet?
That's okay too. Have a look around, take your time, and come back when it feels right. I'll be here.Please note: Lomatia Social Work is not a crisis service. If you need immediate support please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or emergency services on 000.
What's in your Backpack?
Both things are true
Mapping your losses
Accepting isn't giving up
...More coming soon!
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