Our Clinical Principles

Good psychiatric care is thoughtful, evidence-based and shared.

These principles set out how our clinicians work — with patients, with their treating teams, and with the wider health system — to deliver safe, high-quality mental health care.
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Our clinicians follow evidence-based assessment and prescribing practices, grounded in current clinical evidence and professional standards, including those of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP).

Assessment and treatment decisions draw on established guidelines, individual clinical judgement and your specific needs.

Dokotela operates a collaborative-care model in which psychiatrists, general practitioners, nurse practitioners, psychologists and other health professionals work together to support you.

Working alongside your existing treating team helps ensure your care is coordinated, informed and continuous.

We believe good care is a partnership.

Our clinicians discuss the potential benefits and risks of different options, provide clear recommendations, and support you to make informed decisions about your own treatment.

You're an active participant in your care, share responsibility for your treatment, and retain autonomy over the decisions that affect you.

Getting the diagnosis right is the foundation of good treatment.

Rather than assessing for a single condition in isolation, our clinicians take a whole-person approach: a thorough review of your history, screening for co-occurring conditions, consideration of other possible explanations for symptoms, and an assessment of how symptoms affect daily life.

This means the picture your clinician builds is complete — so any diagnosis is accurate and treatment is matched to your actual needs, not just the reason you were referred.

Where medication forms part of treatment, our clinicians prescribe carefully and review it regularly.

Medication is never a default — it's one component of a broader treatment plan. Prescribing decisions are individualised and take into account your clinical history, physical health, other medicines or substances you may be taking, and any ongoing monitoring a treatment requires.

Some medicines used in mental health care — benzodiazepines, for example — carry a higher risk of dependence or need closer monitoring than others.

Where these form part of a treatment plan, our clinicians prescribe them thoughtfully, review them regularly, and make sure the benefits continue to outweigh the risks.

Alternative approaches — including non-medication options — are always considered as part of that review.

Substance use can affect assessment and treatment.

Some substances — cannabis, for example — can complicate the assessment of attention, concentration, mood and other symptoms.

Where relevant, our clinicians will discuss substance use openly with you, and may recommend reduction or cessation before starting certain treatments, as part of a safe and effective treatment plan.

Mental health care works best when it is ongoing.

Our clinicians aim to provide consistent, connected care over time, and to communicate clearly with your GP and treating team so that everyone supporting you is working from the same picture.

Care is a shared effort.

You're an active participant in your treatment and share responsibility for engaging with recommended assessments, monitoring and treatment plans — including attending appointments and sharing relevant information openly.

This partnership helps our clinicians provide the safest and most effective care possible.

We welcome feedback and take concerns seriously.

If you're unhappy with any aspect of your care, we encourage you to let us know so we can listen, respond and continue to improve.
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Last reviewed: July 2026