Here for you
If you’re an adult living with a mental health condition and need support, an inpatient program at The Victoria Clinic, Prahran may be right for you.
Our experienced, qualified and caring team treat a range of mental health conditions including depression, anxiety, PTSD and more. They’re here to help you on your journey – in a safe and welcoming environment. And at The Victoria Clinic you’ll receive care from the same psychiatrist throughout your time with us.
We provide a range of inpatient programs to support you. Most people start with the general inpatient program which includes a mix of individual sessions, group sessions and access to the ‘Ways to Wellness’ workbooks.
Then if needed, you may be referred to one of our more specialised programs including Emotion Management Program (EMP), Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Schema Program.
If you don’t have private health insurance, talk to us about options to self-fund your inpatient program.
We’re a private regulated mental health and rehab facility, accredited under The Australian Council on Healthcare Standards (ACHS).
Mental health conditions
At The Victoria Clinic you can stay with us as an inpatient and access world-class treatment for a range of conditions. These include:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
- Bipolar
- Bipolar Affective Disorder (BPAD)
- Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
- Schizoaffective Disorder (SAD)
- Schizophrenia
- Psychosis
- Personality disorders
Anxiety and Depression Inpatient Program (ADP)
The Anxiety and Depression Program (ADP) is a short, intensive program to help individuals better manage symptoms of the most common mental health conditions including:
- Generalised anxiety disorder
- Panic disorders
- Depression
- Major depressive disorder.
The program includes a 14-day stay at The Victoria Clinic and is designed around participation in structured group therapy with other people that face similar challenges.
During the program, you will work with our expert team on your own individual goals related to health and wellness.
This program runs regularly throughout the year. Please contact us to express interest in joining an upcoming program. A GP referral is required for admission to this program.
General inpatient program
The purpose of the general inpatient program is to improve your self-esteem and reduce your symptoms, to increase motivation and help you take charge of your mental health challenges. You’ll learn skills and coping strategies to better manage at home and in the community. This program includes a mix of individual sessions, group sessions and access to the ‘Ways to Wellness’ workbooks.
Individual therapy sessions
You’ll undertake a range of sessions with an allied health practitioner which can include a psychologist, social worker, dietitian, exercise physiologist and a neuropsychologist.
Educational and informative group sessions
These sessions help increase your knowledge of conditions and therapies and give you the chance to ask any questions you have.
During these group sessions, an allied health practitioner will give you detailed information about specific diagnoses like anxiety disorders, depression, or personality disorders, and/or provide information about specific therapies.
Skills and sensory modulation group sessions
In these group sessions you’ll learn about, and practice a specific skill which may include:
- Assertiveness
- Exposure
- Grounding
- Mindfulness
- Self-soothing
- Thought challenging
You’ll be given information about these skills but the focus is on experiencing and practicing the skills. You’ll try the technique and get direct feedback from an allied health practitioner. We want you to feel equipped with the right skills to better manage difficult thoughts and emotions going forward.
Discussion and support group sessions
These groups operate in a more supportive therapy style and the role of the allied health practitioner is to facilitate a discussion between participants. This allows you to hear other’s experiences and process your own experiences in a non-judgmental forum.
Topics might include what is it like to live with a specific diagnosis, dealing with stigma, grief or understanding your emotions. The aim is to empower you to speak from your experiences and support each other in your shared experiences.
Lifestyle and art therapy group sessions
You can also join a lifestyle therapy group session which covers nutrition, exercise, movement and includes a walking group.
The Victoria Clinic has an onsite gym which includes, weights, treadmill, rowing machine, exercise bikes
Or an art therapy session that provides a unique non-verbal way to process experiences and feelings which can support recovery.
‘Ways to Wellness’ workbooks
Our ‘Ways to Wellness’ workbooks have been co-produced by consumers and allied health professionals. They’ll help you take responsibility for your own recovery by providing you with information, resources and activities which you can access in your own time.
The workbooks provide:
- Inspirational stories written by consumers who have worked on their recoveries
- Psycho-educational information on mental health and recovery
- Workbook exercises and recovery tools
- Resources for post-discharge
- Practical knowledge about care and services available.
Treatment
Depending on your needs, your psychiatrist may also recommend the following inpatient treatments at The Victoria Clinic.
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) is effective for major depression, mania and some forms of schizophrenia. It’s particularly effective for people who are very depressed and who may be suicidal. ECT is often prescribed in the treatment of depression when medications have not worked, or for people who have experienced bad side effects from medications, or whose medical condition prevents them from taking medications safely. Not everyone will need ECT.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive form of brain stimulation that can be used to treat depression and other psychiatric disorders. In treating depression, TMS may be used when patients have not responded to antidepressant medications, have unacceptable side effects to medications or would prefer to try another treatment option. Not everyone will need TMS.
Multidisciplinary team
At The Victoria Clinic you’ll get guidance and support from a multidisciplinary team of experts with our inpatient programs including:
- consultant psychiatrists and addiction specialists
- general practitioner (daily visit)
- nurses
- exercise physiologists
- social workers
- psychologists
- psychotherapists
- consumer consultants
- peer support workers
Benefits
The benefits of the inpatient programs at The Victoria Clinic include:
- Your own experienced psychiatrist
- Beds usually available, with minimal wait times
- Evidence-based and structured programs
- A beautifully modern facility and rooms
- Opportunity to spend time with others who may be on a similar recovery journey to you
Your room
For our inpatient programs, you’ll stay with us and receive 24-hour support in a modern facility with a comfortable, home-like feel. Your room at The Victoria Clinic includes:
- Mostly private rooms, some shared rooms
- Ensuite bathroom
- Nurse call handsets at your bed and in the ensuite
- Personal television
Meals
The Victoria Clinic aims to provide you with a selection of appetising and nourishing meals, which are freshly prepared in our kitchen.
We cater for a variety of diets. If you have a dietary requirement or restrictions, please tell the nursing staff when you’re admitted. Dieticians are available if you wish.
During your stay your doctor may request that you have a specific diet. This diet is related to your clinical condition and/or your stage of recovery, and is aimed to aid your path to recovery. For this reason, any food brought to you by visitors should only be consumed in consultation with your nursing staff.
Getting a referral – eligibility
To be admitted to one of our inpatient programs you’ll need to see a GP first to get a referral to the admitting psychiatrist at The Victoria Clinic. GPs can address their referral generally to ‘Dear Doctor’ or directly by name to one of our accredited psychiatrists. Visit our Information for GPs page for our specialist directory
GPs can submit referrals via fax attention Intake on 03 9526 0268.
Being admitted
Once we receive the above we’ll book you in for an assessment consultation with our one of our team members. Then if you’re assessment is appropriate for the program we’ll admit you as soon as possible. We generally offer minimal wait times for admission.
Costs
We understand that costs for admission to a private mental health facility and related charges can
be complex, so please call us on 03 9526 0258 with any questions you have – we’re more than happy to help.
Private health insurance
Depending on your level of cover we can estimate hospital charges, outline how much cover your fund offers, and inform you about any out-of-pocket costs you may need to pay. We’ll need to do a private health fund check before you can be admitted or start a program.
We’re recognised by all major private health funds that reimburse treatment costs.
No private health insurance
If you don’t have private health insurance, you can call us on 03 9526 0258 to discuss self-funding your stay. Please call before admission for an estimate of the cost of your stay. You’ll need to pay for your stay in full upon admission.
Workcover, TAC or DVA
If you’re admitted under Workcover, TAC or DVA you’ll need prior approval. Please call us first on 03 9526 0258 to discuss. We’re a Tier 1 Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) contracted hospital which means all DVA patients with a Gold Card are fully covered for shared accommodation.
FAQs
Yes. We’re a private, regulated mental health facility, accredited under The Australian Council on Healthcare Standards (ACHS).
Yes. You’ll be under the care of the same accredited psychiatrist during the program.
Yes, we generally have available beds and our psychiatrists have capacity to accept new admissions. If the patient is accepted for admission they are usually admitted within a week.
Yes. GPs have access to our mental health priority admission service available Monday to Friday, 8.00am to 5.00pm. It’s a free telephone service, staffed by clinicians who help GPs quickly and easily find the right inpatient program and bed for their patient. Call the main reception for more information 03 9526 0200.
No. We are only a voluntary hospital and patients need to be at a certain risk level appropriate for our facility. If a patient’s condition deteriorates during their admission with us and are sectioned under the Mental Health Act (involuntary), we will transfer them to the nearest public psychiatric unit.
If you don’t have private health insurance call our intake team to discuss this as one option is to self-fund your stay. Please call before admission for an estimate for the cost of your stay. You’ll need to pay for your stay in full upon admission.
Yes, you can bring your phone, device or laptop but you are solely responsible for it.
Yes. We’ll check your bags in the presence of two nursing staff. But before you arrive, we’ll provide a detailed list of what is, and what isn’t allowed.
We are a smoke/vape free hospital. It’s possible to smoke off the premises.
Yes you can leave but will first need approval from your treating psychiatrist.
Yes you can have visitors during visiting hours and we ask that they follow any restrictions that may be in place due to COVID-19.
Yes. We’ll complete regular checks throughout the day and night.
Yes. You can use the onsite washing machines, detergent and dryers.