Key Points

Open Arms offers free mental health support to veterans, serving personnel, and their families.
Services include individual counseling, group programs, and crisis support.
Eligibility extends to Australian veterans, serving ADF members, and certain family members.
Rusanow Psychology provides telehealth therapy for clients referred through Open Arms.
To request Rusanow Psychology, inform Open Arms during the intake process.

If you are a veteran or family member seeking mental health support, Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling offers free and confidential services tailored to your unique experiences. For individual counselling, Open Arms offer 10 initial sessions, with the option to request further sessions if required. Here’s a step-by-step guide to accessing support:

1. Checking Your Eligibility

Open Arms provides services to current and ex-serving members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF), including reservists, and their immediate families. Eligibility includes:

All current or former ADF members with at least one day of continuous full-time service.
Reservists with operational service, disaster relief, border protection, or specific training incidents.
Family members of eligible veterans.

If you are unsure if you are eligible, Open Arms have an easy to use Eligibility Matrix, which can be viewed here.

2. Contacting Open Arms

If eligible, the next step is to call Open Arms on 1800 011 046 (24/7) or submit an online enquiry through their website. A trained staff member will guide you through the process, ensuring a supportive and confidential experience.

During your initial contact, Open Arms will explore your concerns, goals, and support preferences. This may include:

Individual counselling.
Couples counselling.
Group programs.
Peer support for veterans and their families.

You’ll be matched with appropriate services to suit your situation.

Note: Open Arms will assign you a therapist based on availability and your preferences. If you’d like to work with Rusanow Psychology, please let them know during intake that you’d prefer to see Robert Rusanow.

3. Allocation to a Therapist

Once allocated to a therapist, you will be contacted to initiate therapy (this process will differ depending on the therapist you have been allocated to).

I contact newly allocated Open Arms clients via email within 24 hours. You will have the option of making an online booking for telehealth (phone or video) or requesting a phone call to discuss your needs. Shortly after making a booking, all new Open Arms clients receive online intake forms to help gather necessary information and ensure a smooth process from the start.

4. Attending Your Sessions

Sessions with Rusanow Psychology are conducted via a secure video platform (managed by Open Arms) or phone call. A link will be sent before the session, allowing you to join directly from your browser without additional software.

Counselling through Open Arms is free, confidential, and tailored to your needs. Sessions are designed to help you work through challenges such as mental health conditions, relationship issues, or adjusting to post-service life.

5. Payment Process

Treatment costs are billed directly to Open Arms, meaning there’s no out-of-pocket expense for approved sessions.

6. Ongoing Support

Open Arms also offers workshops, community events, and access to a 24/7 support line for continuous care.

While you will be offered 10 free Psychology sessions to begin with, you and your Psychologist can request further sessions via a ‘Case Report’ if appropriate.

More Information about Open Arms

If you’d like to learn more about Open Arms, the following resources may be helpful:

Open Arms
Provides comprehensive information on Open Arms eligibility, available supports, as well as resources and information to help manage your mental health. Visit Open Arms.
Department of Veteran Affairs
Provides comprehensive information on services, benefits, and support available to veterans, including mental health resources and claims assistance. Visit DVA.

Accessing Psychological Services Through Open Arms