At MindSpot, we are committed to reducing barriers so that all Australians can access care during stressful times. We recently partnered with Vision Australia to trial a new referral pathway that allows adults with profound visual impairment to seamlessly access MindSpot’s psychological services.

A Collaborative Approach

In partnership with Vision Australia, we developed and evaluated a brief assessment and teletherapy treatment for people with profound vision loss who were experiencing difficulties in their day-to-day life affecting their emotional wellbeing.

This effort included specialised training for our therapists provided by Vision Australia staff and clients, and a tailored teletherapy approach, addressing the unique needs of this community.

Why This Matters

This partnership represents an important step toward creating an inclusive mental health care system, ensuring that those living with vision loss can receive the psychological support they need. MindSpot’s Clinical Director, Rheza Tan, notes, “We push the boundaries to provide access to psychological support.”

Participants in the trial said they appreciated the adapted treatment, which helped them work towards their goals. They found their therapists to be caring, flexible, and easy to talk to—an essential element when navigating complex life challenges. For many, accessing a remote service like MindSpot was important, as it allowed them to receive the support they needed from the comfort of their homes.

Building a Supportive Workforce

Katie Ryan, MindSpot’s Director of Service Development (Clinical), noted that our collaboration with Vision Australia has been invaluable not just for clients but also for our therapists. The insights gained from the workshop reinforce MindSpot’s dedication to building a team of therapists who truly understand and respond to the diverse needs of all individuals.

Looking Forward: A Commitment to Co-Design and Lived Experience

At the core of this initiative is our commitment to co-design and lived experience. By involving those who are directly impacted and drawing on the expertise of professionals in this field, we are creating a service that is both responsive and respectful of the needs of all Australians.

This trial underscores the importance of inclusive mental health care and highlights the demand for accessible and effective psychological support for people with vision impairment. Moving forward, we will incorporate the lessons learned from this trial into our broader services, with plans for further development and evaluation of what we offer. Our goal is to continuously improve access to high-quality, evidence-based psychological support that meets the needs of diverse populations.

Ongoing Partnership with Vision Australia

We thank Vision Australia for this great partnership and look forward to future collaboration. Together, we are actively working to coordinate a mental health response that is inclusive and supportive to all Australians.

As part of this collaboration, we are pleased to share that MindSpot’s Executive Director, Professor Nick Titov, recently featured on Vision Australia’s Mindful Minutes Podcast. In this episode, Nick explores the "Big 5" aspects of emotional wellbeing, offering practical tips on maintaining mental balance—especially relevant for the vision-impaired community we are striving to support. This conversation is an extension of our shared commitment to providing accessible and effective mental health care. You can tune in here.