QPS SelfRefer Program: How It Works
If you've landed here because you're searching for information about accessing psychology sessions through the Queensland Police Service SelfRefer Program, you’re in the right place.
Let’s go through the main info and hopefully answer your questions.
What is the QPS SelfRefer Program?
The Queensland Police Service SelfRefer Program offers current QPS members, SES members, and Marine Rescue Queensland members access to funded, confidential, and external counselling, without needing to see a GP first.
The program provides six funded counselling sessions each financial year, with an approved psychology provider.
That means if something specific has been bothering you lately, or you want somewhere independent to talk, you can access support without needing a Mental Health Care Plan or referral.
You don't have to be in crisis to use it
One of the biggest misconceptions about counselling is that you should wait until you’re in crisis, or things feel at rock bottom to access support. However, counselling is enormously beneficial at any time, and before you reach crisis point.
Many people use the SelfRefer Program before they're experiencing significant psychological distress. Sometimes it's because:
sleep has become a bit harder than usual
work has started creeping home more than it used to
relationships feel more strained
there's one difficult job that won't leave your mind
or, there’s nothing specific you can put your finger on… you just know you're not feeling quite like yourself.
Other times, people connect with a SelfRefer therapist to explore:
personal or career goals
life changes they want to make
and, to deepen their connection to self, others, and a meaningful and fun life.
Counselling doesn't have to begin at breaking point, or always be about the serious parts of life!
The impact of policing and emergency service work isn't always one major event
When people think about trauma, they often picture a single critical incident. Sometimes that is the case. But for many people working in emergency services, it can be the slower, repeated build up of situations over time, the years of responsibility, constant vigilance, and seeing people on some of the worst days of their lives… as well as making difficult decisions under pressure, and moving straight on to the next job because that's what the role requires.
The strain or trauma experienced may come from the cumulative effect of hundreds or thousands of moments that start to impact your sleep, mood, relationships, concentration, patience or leave you feeling emotionally flat.
Choosing a QPS SelfRefer counsellor
Every therapist works differently. Qualifications matter, but so does finding someone you feel comfortable talking with.
For many QPS members, it can help to work with someone who already understands emergency services culture and the realities of frontline work.
Part of the reason I became a SelfRefer provider is that before moving into private practice, I spent six+ years working alongside police and paramedics through emergency services wellbeing programs, and as part a 24/7 coronial support service team.
I have experience attending onsite at coronial scenes alongside police, witnessing the distress and chaos for families following sudden deaths, attending formal identifications, delivering death notifications, working alongside Coroner's Officers, providing wellbeing programs for emergency service personnel, and supporting first responders experiencing cumulative trauma, grief, burnout, anxiety, and PTSD.
Those experiences don't mean I know everything about emergency services work or about your story. But, they have given me a lot of on scene, frontline experience and insights, which mean you don't have to spend the first session explaining why certain jobs stay with you, why gallows humour exists, or why switching off after work isn't always as simple as people imagine.
Is QPS SelfRefer counselling confidential?
This is one of the most common questions people ask. And, the answer is yes. Your counselling is confidential.
Your attendance and what you talk about during sessions is not shared with QPS.
The only exceptions are the same legal and ethical obligations that apply to all health professionals, for example, where there is a serious risk of harm requiring action to keep someone safe, or a court subpoena related to an ongoing legal matter, then I may be required to notify the relevant pathways, however there will always be a conversation before anything is shared.
There are also limited administrative circumstances connected with the SelfRefer Program, such as routine auditing or approved WorkCover psychological injury claims, where basic attendance information may be requested. This does not include your counselling conversations, treatment notes or clinical records.
If confidentiality is something you're worried about, it's completely okay to ask questions before booking. Understanding how the process works can help you make an informed decision.
What can you use QPS SelfRefer sessions for?
Every person who accesses the program comes for different reasons.
Some people want support after a critical incident.
Others are navigating cumulative operational stress.
Some are experiencing anxiety, burnout, grief or moral injury.
Others simply want to strengthen their wellbeing before things build up.
Together we might work on:
Critical incident stress
Cumulative trauma and operational stress
PTSD and trauma-related symptoms
Anxiety, stress and burnout
Sleep difficulties
Grief and loss
Feeling flat, disconnected or emotionally exhausted
Moral injury
Difficult jobs that are hard to leave behind
Relationship and family challenges
Workplace conflict or organisational stress
Returning to work following psychological injury
Life transitions or retirement
Life goals and growth
Building resilience, wellbeing and sustainable coping strategies
Looking for a QPS SelfRefer provider in Brisbane?
Hi, I’m Jasmin - an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker and approved QPS SelfRefer provider offering confidential counselling from Paddington, Brisbane, as well as secure online sessions across Australia.
My approach is trauma-informed, neuroaffirming and collaborative. Therapy isn't about trying to "fix" you. It's about creating a space where you don't have to carry everything on your own, and where we can work together in a way that fits you.
If you've been searching for a QPS SelfRefer provider and think I might be a good fit, you're very welcome to book an appointment or reach out if you have questions before getting started.
Want a bit more info? Here I have answered some commonly asked questions.
SelfRefer FAQ’s
What does the QPS SelfRefer program provide?
✔ Up to 6 fully funded counselling sessions per financial year
✔ Available to eligible Queensland Police Service, SES, & Marine Rescue Queensland Members
✔ No GP referral required
✔ Confidential, independent, & experienced counselling
✔ Appointments available in person from Paddington, Brisbane, or online via secure video
✔ Flexible appointment times available (incl. after hours and weekend).
Who is eligible for the QPS SelfRefer program?
The QPS SelfRefer Program is available to current Queensland Police Service members, as well as members of the State Emergency Service (SES) and Marine Rescue Queensland.
If you're unsure whether you meet the requirements, you can check with your workplace or the SelfRefer Program website for more information.
When booking an appointment, you will be asked to confirm your eligibility by showing your relevant identification.
Do I need a GP referral to access QPS SelfRefer counselling?
Not at all. One of the many benefits of the QPS SelfRefer Program is that you do not need to wait to get a GP referral before accessing support.
You can choose an approved provider directly and book an appointment.
Many people appreciate this because it allows them to seek support earlier, without needing to wait until their concerns reach a particular level.
Is QPS SelfRefer counselling confidential?
Yes. Confidentiality is one of the most important parts of feeling safe in counselling. Your counselling sessions are private, and the content of your conversations, clinical notes and personal information are not shared with Queensland Police Service.
As with all health professionals, there are limited exceptions, where there is a legal or ethical requirement to act, for example, where there is a serious concern about someone's immediate safety.
There are also limited administrative requirements associated with participating in the SelfRefer Program, such as routine auditing or approved WorkCover psychological injury claims. These requests are limited to administrative information, such as attendance details, and do not include the content of your counselling sessions.
If you have questions about confidentiality before booking, please do ask.
Can I access QPS SelfRefer counselling online?
Yes. Online counselling is available for eligible QPS SelfRefer participants across Australia through secure video appointments.
Online sessions can be a helpful option for people who have limited availability, live outside Brisbane, work shifts, or simply prefer accessing support from a familiar environment.
At Counselling with Jasmin, online sessions are available, as well as in-person appointments from Paddington, Brisbane, QLD.
How do I choose a QPS SelfRefer provider?
Choosing a counsellor is a personal decision, and finding someone you feel comfortable with is important.
Some things you might consider include:
Do they understand emergency services culture?
Do they have experience with the particular area or issue I want to focus on?
Do they have experience supporting trauma, stress, and critical incidents?
Does their approach feel like a good fit for you?
Do you feel comfortable being open and honest with them?
For many emergency service members, it can be helpful to work with someone who understands that the impact of the job isn't always one major event. Sometimes it is the accumulation of years of exposure, responsibility, difficult decisions and experiences that are hard to leave behind.
A good therapeutic relationship is key to effective therapy. The right provider is someone you feel you feel comfortable sharing with, who respects your experiences, and who works with you and is curious about what works for you, rather than telling you what you "should" do.
What's the difference between a Psychologist and an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker?
Both Psychologists and Accredited Mental Health Social Workers (AMHSWs) are qualified mental health professionals who provide counselling and psychological support. Both professions are guided by professional ethical standards, require ongoing professional development, and are recognised providers within Medicare mental health pathways.
The difference is primarily in the professional training pathways and the perspectives each profession may bring to understanding mental health and wellbeing.
Psychologists typically complete university training in psychology, with a focus on areas such as human behaviour, psychological assessment, and treatment. Many psychologists also have specialised training in areas such as trauma, relationships, neurodiversity, or specific therapeutic approaches. Some psychologists also undertake additional training to provide formal psychological assessments, such as cognitive, learning or diagnostic assessments.
Accredited Mental Health Social Workers complete social work qualifications followed by advanced mental health accreditation through the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). Their training includes evidence-based psychological therapies, while also considering how a person's relationships, life experiences, work, family, culture and broader social environment may influence their mental health and wellbeing. Many AMHSWs also have specialised training in areas such as trauma, relationships, neurodiversity, or specific therapeutic approaches.
Importantly, both psychologists and AMHSWs can provide many of the same evidence-based therapies, including approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Internal Family Systems, Schema Therapy, mindfulness-based therapies, and trauma-informed interventions. Every therapist also brings their own additional training, experience and therapeutic style.
For example, my practice is grounded in a relational, trauma-informed and person-centered approach. Depending on your goals, I may draw on therapies including ACT, CBT, IFS-informed Parts Work, Somatic and Sensorimotor Therapies, as well as Gottman Relationship Therapy, depending on what is most appropriate for each person.
Whether you end up choosing to work with a psychologist, social worker, or counsellor, the most important factor is finding a therapist whose experience, approach and personality feel like the right fit for you. Research consistently shows that the quality of the therapeutic relationship is one of the strongest predictors of positive outcomes in therapy.
How do I book a QPS SelfRefer appointment?
If you have chosen an approved QPS SelfRefer provider, you can usually book directly with that provider.
For SelfRefer appointments with Counselling with Jasmin, you can book online for either:
In-person SelfRefer counselling from Paddington, Brisbane
Secure online SelfRefer counselling across Australia
At your first appointment, you will need to provide your current QPS identification so your eligibility for the program can be confirmed.
If you have questions before booking, you are welcome to get in touch. You don't need to have everything figured out before reaching out. We can talk it through and see what feels right for you at the moment.
