DVA accepted. Sweetnam Psychology is registered to provide psychology services funded through the Department of Veterans' Affairs — no out-of-pocket cost for eligible veterans.
DVA-Funded Psychology
Psychology for veterans, funded through DVA
Depth-focused therapy for ADF veterans and their families. In-person on the Gold Coast and in Kingscliff, NSW. Telehealth available Australia-wide.
Book a ConsultationDVA funding
What DVA funding covers — and how to access it
If you are a current or former member of the Australian Defence Force, you may be eligible to access psychology sessions at no cost through the Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA).
DVA-funded psychology is available to veterans holding a Gold Card or White Card, where the condition being treated is accepted by DVA. In many cases, a referral from your GP is all that's needed to begin. There are no session limits for Gold Card holders, and White Card holders can access sessions for accepted conditions.
If you're unsure whether your situation is covered, get in touch before booking and Taylor can help you understand your options.
Gold Card holders
All psychological conditions covered. No session limits. No gap fee.
White Card holders
Sessions covered for DVA-accepted conditions. GP referral required.
Experience in veteran mental health
A clinician who understands the veteran experience
Working effectively with veterans requires more than general clinical training. It requires familiarity with the culture, the language, and the particular ways trauma is carried — and often concealed — within military and defence communities. It also requires an understanding of how the DVA system works, and how to navigate it on behalf of the people you work with.
Taylor brings a level of specialist knowledge to this work that goes well beyond what most private practice psychologists carry.
Clinical experience & specialist knowledge
- Direct clinical experience working with veterans through Open Arms — Veterans & Families Counselling, Australia's primary veteran mental health service.
- Extensive experience writing medico-legal and clinical reports in support of DVA mental health funding claims — undertaken in collaboration with leading psychiatrists and psychologists specialising in veteran mental health.
- Familiarity with the DVA claims and compensation process, including the clinical evidence required to support successful outcomes for clients.
- Deep understanding of how operational service, deployment, institutional culture, and the transition to civilian life shape mental health presentations in veterans.
- Experience working across a broad range of veteran presentations: PTSD, complex trauma, moral injury, anxiety, depression, substance use, and relationship difficulties.
Common presentations
What this work often involves
Veterans are not a homogeneous group. What shows up in this work is shaped by the nature of service, the role held, the things witnessed, and the particular ways each person has learned to cope. The following reflects what commonly brings veterans to therapy — it is not exhaustive.
PTSD & complex trauma
Intrusive memories, hypervigilance, emotional numbing, avoidance — sometimes clear in origin, sometimes harder to trace.
Moral injury
The distress of having acted against one's values, witnessed others do so, or felt betrayed by those in authority. Distinct from PTSD, and often undertreated.
Transition out of service
Loss of identity, purpose, structure, and belonging following discharge. The civilian world doesn't translate easily, and that gap is real.
Relationships & family
Emotional withdrawal, difficulty with closeness, conflict — and the particular strain that service, and its aftermath, places on partners and families.
Anxiety & depression
Often layered with other presentations, or present on their own. A culture of pushing through can make it harder to recognise and name.
Alcohol & substance use
Frequently part of the picture — as a coping strategy that once worked and now doesn't, or one that's developed alongside other difficulties.
The approach
Therapy that goes beneath the surface
Taylor's approach is grounded in Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP) — an evidence-based method that addresses the emotional patterns underlying presenting symptoms, rather than simply managing them.
This is direct, active therapy. Sessions don't circle the issue — they move toward it. For many veterans, this is a more natural fit than the open-ended, reflective style of other approaches. There's a clarity and purposefulness to the work that tends to resonate.
Taylor also understands that for many veterans, beginning therapy is not a small step. There is no pressure in the initial session. It is simply a chance to meet, to talk, and to get a sense of whether this is the right fit.
Working with veterans requires understanding what's been carried — and what it cost to carry it.Taylor Sweetnam, Clinical Psychologist
DVA reports & claims support
Support for DVA mental health claims & compensation
Taylor has significant experience preparing clinical and medico-legal reports in support of DVA mental health funding claims. This work has been undertaken in collaboration with some of Australia's leading psychiatrists and psychologists in the veteran mental health field.
If you are making a DVA claim, or your treating team has identified a need for psychological assessment or a supporting report, Taylor is able to discuss whether she can assist. She understands what is required to produce a report that is clinically sound, clearly articulated, and useful for DVA decision-making.
If you have been referred for this purpose, please mention it when you make contact so it can be factored into scheduling from the outset.
How to get started
Accessing DVA-funded sessions step by step
Check your eligibility
Gold Card holders can access psychology for any condition at no cost. White Card holders can access sessions for DVA-accepted conditions. If you're unsure, reach out and Taylor can help you work through it.
Get a referral from your GP
A GP referral is required for DVA-funded sessions. Let your GP know you'd like to see a psychologist under DVA — it's a straightforward process at any appointment.
Book your initial session
Contact Sweetnam Psychology to arrange your first appointment. Bring your DVA card and referral. There is no out-of-pocket cost for eligible veterans.
Begin the work
The initial session is an opportunity to meet, talk about what's brought you here, and see whether this is the right fit. There's no obligation to continue. For most people, it's simply a starting point.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a DVA card to access DVA-funded psychology?
Yes. You need either a Gold Card or a White Card. Gold Card holders can access sessions for any psychological condition at no cost. White Card holders can access sessions for conditions accepted by DVA.
Is there any out-of-pocket cost?
No. DVA-funded sessions are billed directly to DVA. There is no gap fee for eligible veterans.
How many sessions can I access?
Gold Card holders have no limit on the number of sessions. For White Card holders, this depends on the accepted condition — your GP and DVA can advise on the specifics of your situation.
Can I access sessions via telehealth?
Yes. DVA-funded telehealth psychology sessions are available. This is a practical option for veterans who are not near a clinic, prefer the convenience of attending from home, or are managing other commitments.
I'm already seeing someone through Open Arms. Can I also see a private psychologist?
In many cases, yes — though this depends on individual circumstances. It's worth discussing with your Open Arms counsellor and your GP. Taylor can also speak to this if you'd like to reach out before booking.
Can Taylor help with my DVA claim or provide a supporting report?
Taylor has significant experience preparing reports in support of DVA mental health funding claims. If this is something you need, please mention it when you make contact so it can be considered from the outset.
Can DVA fund sessions for my family member?
In some circumstances, family members of veterans may also be eligible for DVA-funded support. This depends on the specific situation — contact DVA directly or speak with your GP to understand what may be available.
You've done enough on your own.
Reach out to book or to ask a question before taking that step. No out-of-pocket cost for eligible DVA-funded veterans.
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