Latest news with #psychology
The Guardian
8 hours ago
- Health
- The Guardian
Australia's largest private hospital operator to close majority of psychology clinics to be ‘flexible, sustainable'
Ramsay Health Care, Australia's largest private hospital operator, has announced it will be closing the majority of its psychology clinics, described by the peak body as 'very sad news' for those needing mental health care. The hospital network said it would progressively close 17 out of its 20 clinics by the end of August, in order to transition Ramsay Psychology to a 'more flexible and sustainable model'. Three clinics in Cairns, Charlestown and Joondalup will remain open to 'support local needs, maintain key partnerships and pilot more integrated models of care', Ramsay Health Care said in a statement. 'We understand this change might be unsettling and we are working closely with our psychologists to ensure every client is supported and has continuity of care, whether through our existing and expanded Telehealth service or with another trusted provider, depending on what is clinically appropriate,' the statement said. Sign up: AU Breaking News email Ramsay's website states it is 'Australia's largest private provider of psychology services'. It has not yet become clear if the closures amount to significant job losses. The network lists 141 psychologists on the website's 'find a practitioner tool'. The company also provides psychology services through mental health clinics offering inpatient treatment and outpatient sessions and day programs, which Guardian Australia understands will not be affected. In November an Australia government review of the private hospital sector's financial viability highlighted that obstetrics and mental health were 'two particular services of concern' becoming 'increasingly difficult to offer'. The president of the Australian Association of Psychologists, Sahra O'Doherty, said 'the closure of these clinics is very sad news for anyone needing professional mental health care'. 'Given we learned today the National Mental Health Commission Report Card showed that 20% delay seeking mental health help because of cost, these closures mean accessing psychological care will be more challenging,' Doherty said. The report for 2024, released on Thursday, also found less than half (45.1%) of people who had a mental disorder in the last 12 months had seen a health professional for their mental health in the past year. The diminishing access to mental health services comes against the backdrop of shortages of psychiatrists in both the public and private sectors, with the high-profile dispute between NSW Health and the state's public psychiatrists highlighting the constraints on mental health care in public hospital settings.
News.com.au
10 hours ago
- Business
- News.com.au
Private healthcare giant Ramsay shuts psychology clinics
The country's biggest private hospital company will shut the majority of its psychology clinics in a matter of months. Ramsay Health Care notified staff of the closure of 17 of its 20 clinics earlier this month. The three remaining clinics are in the Newcastle suburb of Charlestown, in Perth's northern suburbs, and in Cairns. 'We understand this change might be unsettling and we are working closely with our psychologists to ensure every client is supported and has continuity of care, whether through our existing and expanded Telehealth service or with another trusted provider, depending on what is clinically appropriate,' a spokesperson said. 'This change is part of Ramsay's broader strategy to strengthen how we deliver high-quality, accessible and connected care across hospital, home and virtual settings.' Only Ramsay's community-based psychology clinics are closing, not its hospital mental health services or inpatient and day programs. Federal Greens leader Larissa Waters said half of Australians who needed mental health support already could not get it. 'The waiting lists are huge, and so it's devastating to see that a private healthcare operator is going to close down yet more facilities, and where are those people going to go?' she said. 'Health care shouldn't be for profit, and it shouldn't be how much money you've got on your credit card to enable you to get the health care that you need. 'So it's a real shame that profit seems to be driving this outcome that will have a real impact.' Ramsay Health is listed on the Australian sharemarket and valued at $8.9bn. The company's share price is down 16 per cent over the past 12 months. In August, Ramsay Health Care reported a nearly triple full-year profit of $888.7m, up from $298.1m the year before. The large return was mostly due to the sale of Ramsay's stake in Ramsay Sime Darby, which owns hospitals in Malaysia and Indonesia. The financial results gave shareholders an 80 cent dividend per share across the financial year. 'The government should be providing healthcare services as a universal right of all Australians, and it shouldn't be whether or not a private company's profit margin is going to work to determine the outcomes for Australians' access to mental health care,' Ms Waters said. The 17 clinics are being shut progressively until the final one closes the doors permanently by the end of August. Four Melbourne clinics are being shut, three in Sydney will close, two in Perth will shut, and single clinics on the Sunshine Coast, Ipswich, the Gold Coast, NSW's Central Coast and Wollongong will close. 'After careful consideration, we are transitioning Ramsay Psychology to a more flexible and sustainable model, which includes the progressive closure of 17 clinics by the end of August,' the Ramsay spokesperson said. 'Three clinics, in Cairns (QLD), Charlestown (NSW) and Joondalup (WA), will remain open to support local needs, maintain key partnerships and pilot more integrated models of care. 'Ramsay Health Care is reshaping how it delivers community-based mental health support to better meet the evolving needs of clients and clinicians.' The National Mental Health Commission's National Report Card was also released on Thursday, the same day as news of the Ramsay closures broke. Health commission chief executive David McGrath said fewer and fewer people could afford mental health care. 'We have also seen a steady rise in financial stress and in the proportion of people in Australia delaying mental health care due to cost in the last four years,' Mr McGrath said in the report. 'Disappointingly, many social factors impacting mental health are not showing improvement (e.g. loneliness and experiences of discrimination) and positive experiences of mental health care have remained stable.' People were feeling less secluded than in the previous year, the commission found, and more people were getting help now than in 2007. 'However, there is no question there is a long way to go – our younger generations continue to report heightened psychological distress and financial stress and have a much higher prevalence of mental health challenges relative to the rest of the population,' Mr McGrath said.
ABC News
13 hours ago
- Health
- ABC News
Ramsay Health closes psychology clinics
Australia's largest private hospital operator has moved to close the majority of its psychology clinics, leaving thousands of vulnerable patients facing the prospect of being left without crucial care.
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Lifestyle
- Yahoo
Psychologists Say These 9 Habits Make You Seem Insecure Without Realizing It
Psychologists Say These 9 Habits Make You Seem Insecure Without Realizing It originally appeared on Parade. You might stroll through life feeling pretty sure of yourself—confident, composed and certain that you're giving off all the right vibes. But here's the catch: the way you feel and the way you come across aren't always in sync. Sometimes, without meaning to, people send out subtle signals that quietly suggest they're not self-assured, even if they think what they're doing promotes the opposite. These little habits tend to slip under a person's radar, but they still speak volumes to everyone around you. If you want to find out what those actions are, you're in luck because we found out nine habits that psychologists say can make you seem insecure without you even realizing spoke with not one, but four psychologists to get a clearer picture of what these sneaky behaviors can be. Together, Dr. Caitlin Slavens, Dr. Jenny Shields, Dr. Lisa Larsen and Dr. JJ Kelly break down the kinds of everyday mannerisms that might seem harmless—or even go completely unnoticed by you—but can quietly shape how others perceive you. With their insight, you can start to fine-tune the energy you give off with the way you truly want to be seen, both in your personal life and at out all the ways you might be giving off insecure vibes below. You may be surprised by how many of these things you actually do. But don't let that get you down, thanks to this list, you'll not only spot them more easily, you'll be able to work on them so you can kiss your subtle self-conscious behaviors 9 Habits That Make You Seem Insecure Without Realizing It, According to Psychologists 1. Constantly Apologizing 'Saying 'sorry' for things that don't require an apology, like asking a question or needing a moment of someone's time, can make you appear insecure," explains Dr. Shields. "This habit can signal a core belief that your very presence is an inconvenience and it inadvertently trains people to see your contributions as less important, which can make you seem insecure without you knowing it.' Dr. Larsen reveals that there are many reasons why someone does this unknowingly. 'A person who does this may have had very harsh, critical parents growing up and may not realize that one sincere apology is all that is necessary in most situations,' she opens 2. Over-Explaining Yourself 'Offering a long-winded justification for a simple 'no' suggests you don't trust your own decision and are insecure because it turns a simple boundary into a negotiation, signaling that you need the other person's approval to feel valid in your choice,' Dr. Shields shares. 'For example, when declining an invitation, providing a five-minute story about all your competing obligations instead of a simple, 'I can't make it, but thank you for inviting me!' gives off the impression that you aren't confident with your decision."Related: 3. Hiding Behind Humor 'When everything becomes a joke (especially about yourself), it's hard to know who the real you is and people can't connect with someone who's always deflecting,' Dr. Slavens tells Shields adds, 'Using jokes, especially self-deprecating ones, as a shield against any real emotional depth is a classic defense mechanism. It communicates that you're uncomfortable with sincerity and are unwilling to let people see the person behind the persona, which can come off as you being an insecure person. Even a nervous giggle in a serious moment does the opposite of putting people at broadcasts your own anxiety and insecurity about the situation. Instead, it tells others you're unable to handle the weight of the conversation and aren't secure.' 4. Fishing for Reassurance 'Constantly seeking validation by asking questions like, 'Was that okay?' or 'Did I do a good job?' outsources your self-worth,' Dr. Shields states. 'It can shift the dynamic, making others feel responsible for managing your self-esteem. For instance, if after giving a presentation, you immediately ask a coworker, 'Was that terrible? I feel like I rambled,' you make yourself appear insecure without realizing it.'Dr. Slavens tells Parade this is something people do too often.'When someone does this over and over, it can quietly tell people they don't feel confident, even if they actually know what they're doing," she notes. She reveals that 'this is fairly common when a person wants or needs admiration from others' and says 'secure people have enough confidence to allow people to compliment them or not. They don't need to influence other people into reassuring them.'Related: 5. Avoiding Speaking Up 'This behavior can show a lack of confidence in oneself, especially in the workplace or at school,' Dr. Larsen addresses. 'Even if a person knows the right answer or needs to set a limit with someone else, they might feel frightened of the consequences they imagine will happen if they do speak up. It shows they lack the assertiveness to demonstrate what they know and show their self-worth.'Dr. Slavens agrees and says, 'Staying quiet doesn't always mean you don't have something to say—often, it means you've been taught not to trust your voice or you feel anxious about those around you, which then gives off insecure vibes.'If you keep avoiding speaking up, Dr. Kelly says your habit will get worse. "Avoiding any behavior that requires courage not only appears anxious, it comes from fear and insecurity which, in turn, creates more fear and insecurity," she tells Parade. 6. Nervous Body Language 'Your body tells a story before you even speak,' Dr. Shields shares. 'Slouching, fidgeting or crossing your arms are ways of physically retreating from a situation. Even if you're just trying to be unobtrusive, this body language undermines your confidence.'"This habit screams insecurity, even if you don't feel that way deep down," Dr. Kelly says. "People read those physical cues as, 'I don't want to be here' or 'I'm not confident in myself.' It's often unconscious, which is why it's so powerful. The fix? Build awareness and practice grounded presence." 7. Overcompensating With Bragging 'Sometimes people brag not because they feel confident—but because they're worried about someone not thinking they're worthy. So they try to say it first, louder and more,' Dr. Shields explains. She says doing this makes you look insecure to others even though you don't think it does, sharing, 'This is the opposite of a 'polite' habit, but it's born from the same insecure root. The attempt to prove your worth with a list of accomplishments often backfires, as it can signal a larger fear that you wouldn't be valued without them. Such as dominating a conversation by listing recent promotions, expensive purchases or important people you know, can make you look insecure to others without you intending to do so.'Dr. Kelly seconds that and reveals, "Outright bragging and 'humble bragging' have a repelling 'ick' to most people, and is the behavior of someone who lacks the confidence to validate their achievements to themselves—and internal validation process that builds self-esteem and self-confidence, innately."Related: 8. Deflecting Praise Onto Others 'There's nothing wrong with being a team player, but if you never accept credit, people might wonder if you believe you've earned any and feel insecure. A simple 'thank you' can be powerful and make you appear more confident,' Dr. Slavens Larsen tells Parade a person may unknowingly do this as a result of their childhood.'Deflecting praise can show one's insecurity without them realizing it, however, it may be a result of them being told by their caregivers 'not to get a big head,'' she reveals. 'It may feel unsafe for these folks to accept ownership of a compliment, because others have been jealous and treated them poorly as a result.' 9. Being Overly Agreeable 'While wanting to get along is positive, agreeing with every opinion without offering your own can make you seem like a social chameleon and insecure unknowingly to you. Instead of being seen as 'nice,' you may come across as lacking a core identity or being too afraid of rejection to state your true feelings,' Dr. Shields points Slavens agrees and says, 'Being over agreeable doesn't make you easygoing; it can make you seem like you don't care or you aren't confident in your own opinion without you meaning to.' Up Next:Psychologists Say These 9 Habits Make You Seem Insecure Without Realizing It first appeared on Parade on Jul 23, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 23, 2025, where it first appeared. Solve the daily Crossword
ABC News
14 hours ago
- Health
- ABC News
Ramsay Health Care set to close psychology clinics across the country within weeks
Australia's largest private hospital operator has moved to close the majority of its psychology clinics, leaving thousands of vulnerable patients facing the prospect of being left without crucial care. In a staff meeting earlier this month, Ramsay Health Care revealed it would shut 17 of its 20 psychology clinics across the country by September. Internal documents sent to staff, obtained by the ABC, state the decision was "not made lightly" and followed a review of the challenges in running a widespread network of clinics, including "rising costs, uneven demand and operational complexity". One psychologist who works for Ramsay Health Care, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because she is not authorised to speak publicly, said she was deeply concerned about the impact on patient care. She said patients who were not retained by their current psychologist in a new practice, or picked up by another clinician, would have to find alternative care. "Clients are being left in limbo because they potentially are going to have to wait a month or two to see their regular psychologist if they are continuing on somewhere else, or they're going to have to start all over again," she said. "The more clients are going through revolving doors, eventually, they just give up. "This has been extremely frustrating because I'm trying to advocate for clients and for best client care, but it's like words are falling on deaf ears, they are not taking concerns seriously." Ramsay Health Care is Australia's largest private provider of psychology services, and its clinics see a range of high-risk patients with various mental health conditions, including young children, for conditions like depression or PTSD. The provider also runs separate mental health clinics, however they will not be affected by the change. A briefing note sent to staff said three clinics — in Cairns, Charlestown and Joondalup — would remain open, and it was "exploring the merits" of expanding its existing psychology telehealth services. But the note said Ramsay Health Care was not "stepping away from mental health care". "We remain committed to supporting high-quality, accessible services, whether in hospitals, in communities or online," the note said. "This decision reflects a growing community demand for mental health support that is easy to access, flexible, convenient and connected to other services." A Health Department review into the viability of the private hospital system, commissioned by the Albanese government and published in summary last year, identified declining mental health services as a major issue. It noted the sector had raised concerns about access to private hospital psychiatric services, and the difficulty in attracting and retaining psychiatrists prepared to work in a hospital setting. While the number of Medicare-subsidised psychiatric services increased by almost 20 per cent from 2018-19 to 2021-22, the number of services delivered in a private setting dropped by about 15 per cent over the same time period. Eminent psychiatrist, and former Australian of the Year, Patrick McGorry said there was a "great risk" the clinic closures would see some patients left without care. "We already have this access problem, with only 50 per cent of people who have a need for mental health care able to access it at all, and often after long delays" he said. "This will worsen that situation potentially. "It'll throw more patients potentially back on a public sector that's severely underfunded at a state level and in crisis in several states. "So I think this is not a good signal to be sending to the public." In a statement, Ramsay Health Care said it was reshaping how it delivered community-based mental health support, "to better meet the evolving needs of clients and clinicians". "We understand this change might be unsettling and we are working closely with our psychologists to ensure every client is supported and has continuity of care, whether through our existing and expanded telehealth service or with another trusted provider, depending on what is clinically appropriate," a spokeswoman said. "This change is part of Ramsay's broader strategy to strengthen how we deliver high-quality, accessible and connected care across hospital, home and virtual settings."
