Psychosocial Recovery Coaching under NDIS

Are you feeling overwhelmed by mental health challenges and looking for support to help you live a more fulfilling life? The NDIS offers funded psychosocial recovery coaching just for you!

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in Australia offers psychosocial recovery coaching to support people with psychosocial disabilities. A psychosocial disability occurs when a mental health condition makes it hard for someone to do everyday things. This can include difficulties with learning, socializing, taking care of themselves, and participating in work or other activities. 

For example, if someone has schizophrenia, depression, or crippling anxiety, they might struggle with these daily tasks. Not everyone with a mental health condition will have a psychosocial disability. Still, for those who do, it can significantly impact their lives.

This is where NDIS recovery coaching steps in. It's all about helping you develop the strategies, skills, strengths, and resilience to live a more independent and fulfilling life. And remember, recovery doesn’t mean you'll never face those episodes again. Instead, it’s about moving towards a better life where you can thrive despite those challenges. 

Don’t worry about whether it will suit you or not. Psychosocial recovery coaching is not one-size-fits-all coaching. It helps you achieve an optimal state of well-being unique to your needs. Hence, you will develop a recovery plan addressing your specific condition and needs. 

What is a Psychosocial Recovery Coach? 

Psychosocial recovery coaches are NDIS-funded specialists with expertise in mental health. While qualifications are essential, some coaches may have even been through similar challenges themselves, which can be a real comfort. An NDIS recovery coach is someone who gets what you’re going through and is dedicated to helping you achieve your goals and live more independently. That’s exactly what a psychosocial recovery coach does. They take the time to understand your unique needs and create a recovery plan. 

Whether it’s guidance with daily activities, building your skills, or connecting you with community resources, they’re there every step of the way. Plus, they’ll help you navigate NDIS resources and support services, ensuring you get the help you need to boost your independence and participate more fully in social and economic life.

"Isn't that what a support coordinator does?" That's a fair call! While both roles involve helping you navigate your NDIS plan, they bring something unique.

What’s the Difference Between a Recovery Coach and a Support Coordinator? 

Both support coordinators and recovery coaches offer one-on-one assistance to help you understand and implement your NDIS plan. They guide you in finding and assessing the right support and services to meet your needs. They provide coaching, mentoring, and guidance to help you work towards your goals, monitor your progress, and update your plans as needed.

But here’s where it gets interesting: they each have different expertise and focus areas.

Psychosocial Recovery Coaches

These are specialists of mental health, psychosocial disabilities, and recovery. For example, if you’re struggling with severe anxiety, a recovery coach will help you develop strategies to manage your anxiety, build your confidence, and connect you with community groups to enhance your social life.

Support Coordinators

Support coordinators have a broader focus. They work with participants across all types of disabilities, not just mental health. For instance, if you have both a physical disability and autism, a support coordinator will help you find the right mix of services to address both needs, ensuring your NDIS plan is implemented effectively.

The difference also lies in their approach and goals. Recovery coaches take a holistic, person-centred approach. They focus on your mental health recovery goals, helping you build skills and capacity. Think of them as your coach, guiding you to live a more independent and fulfilling life.

On the other hand, support coordinators are more about practical support. They link you to the right services and ensure your NDIS plan is ticking along smoothly. They’re like your project manager, ensuring everything is in place and working well.

If you’re looking for a mental health expert to help you recover from psychosocial difficulties, NDIS recovery coaching might be just what you need. NDIS support may be available to those who have a psychosocial disability that is probably going to last a lifetime.

How Much Does NDIS Cover for a Coach?

If you have psychosocial support needs, the NDIS typically includes funding for a recovery coach in your plan. But, it’s entirely your choice whether or not to use one. NDIS funds psychosocial recovery coaches at $80.90 per hour during weekday daytime hours. The exact number of hours covered in your plan depends on your needs. This funding usually includes regular coaching sessions, planning, and review meetings.

What to Expect When Working with a Psychosocial Recovery Coach?

Here’s what you can expect:

1. Initial Assessment: Your coach will get to know you, your daily routines, challenges, support network, and long-term goals. This helps them understand your needs and strengths.
2. Goal Setting and Planning: Together, you’ll co-create a recovery plan. Your coach will guide you in setting realistic and achievable goals, helping you reach milestones.
3. Regular Sessions and Progress Tracking: Your coach will provide regular check-ins to ensure everything is on track. Expect progress reviews at 3 and 9 months to celebrate your achievements and adjust the plan as needed.

Psychosocial Strategies

For example, during the initial assessment, your NDIS recovery coach might ask about your daily routines and challenges, who supports you (family, friends, carers), and your long-term goals like employment or social participation. Based on this, you’ll work together to outline strategies to achieve your goals. This might include:

• Goal Setting and Tracking: Your coach helps you set and achieve realistic goals, celebrating milestones.
• Skills Development: They’ll assist you in developing coping mechanisms for managing stress, anxiety, or other challenges. This might include a relapse prevention plan if needed.
• Building Social Connections: Your coach can help you find and foster social connections that enhance your well-being.
• Navigating NDIS and Other Services: They’ll guide you in understanding and accessing relevant NDIS services and other community resources, and help prepare for NDIS plan reviews.

Under the NDIS, you can choose your psychosocial recovery coach and adjust the level of support as needed. Look for a coach with relevant mental health qualifications or lived experience, and someone you feel comfortable discussing your mental health with.

NDIS recovery coaching doesn’t work in isolation. NDIS collaborates with other systems like education, housing, and health. Your plan will also include informal support from friends and family. While NDIS doesn’t cover everything like nursing, palliative, or dental treatment, it helps you access the right parts of the service system when needed. This holistic approach ensures your mental health recovery includes support from various aspects of life, including family, community, and other mainstream systems.

Sample Case Study Working with Psychosocial Recovery Coach

Sarah is a 32-year-old woman who was recently approved for NDIS funding due to her ongoing struggles with social anxiety and depression. During her initial NDIS planning meeting, Sarah expressed a desire to work on improving her social connections and finding meaningful employment. 

Sarah's NDIS planner recommended that she be connected with a psychosocial recovery coach to help her work towards these goals in a structured, recovery-focused way. After reviewing several coach profiles, Sarah chose to work with Emily, a recovery coach with her lived experience of mental health challenges.

Over the first few sessions, Emily focused on getting to know Sarah, understanding her strengths, barriers, and what recovery meant to her. Together, they developed a detailed recovery plan focused on three key areas:

Social Participation

• Emily helped Sarah identify local community groups and activities that aligned with her interests, like a photography club and a hiking group. 
• They role-played conversation starters and practised Sarah's social skills to build her confidence. 
• Emily accompanied Sarah to her first few group outings to provide support and encouragement.

Employment Readiness

• Emily assessed Sarah's work history, skills, and interests and then helped her update her resume. They practised interview techniques and discussed strategies for managing Sarah's anxiety in a work environment. 
• Emily connected Sarah with a vocational specialist who could provide job search assistance and ongoing in-workplace support.

NDIS Plan Utilization

• Emily explained the different support services available through Sarah's NDIS plan and how to access them.
• They reviewed Sarah's plan to see where she could best use the funds to support her rehabilitation objectives. 
• Emily assisted Sarah in liaising with her support coordinator to refine her plan.

Over 6 months, Sarah made steady progress. She successfully joined the photography club and hiking group, developing new friendships. She also secured part-time work at a local café, where the vocational specialist provided on-site coaching to help her manage her anxiety.

In Sarah's 9-month NDIS plan review, she reported feeling more socially connected, confident, and hopeful about her future. Emily's specialized support as a psychosocial recovery coach has been instrumental in helping Sarah take meaningful steps towards her recovery goals.