ECT Therapy
Electroconvulsive Therapy is a medically supervised treatment used in selected psychiatric conditions when rapid and effective symptom relief may be required.
Book an AppointmentWhat is Electroconvulsive Therapy?
Electroconvulsive Therapy, commonly called ECT, is a medical treatment in which a carefully controlled electrical stimulus is delivered to the brain under anaesthesia.
The treatment produces a brief therapeutic seizure. ECT is administered by a trained clinical team with appropriate medical monitoring.
Your psychiatrist will assess your condition and discuss whether ECT is appropriate as part of your individual treatment plan.
Medically Supervised
ECT is delivered in a controlled clinical environment with appropriate anaesthesia and monitoring.
When May ECT Be Considered?
ECT may be considered by a psychiatrist in specific clinical situations based on the individual's symptoms, history and treatment needs.
Severe Depression
ECT may be considered in severe depressive illness, particularly when symptoms are severe or require rapid clinical intervention.
Severe Symptoms
In selected situations involving significant psychiatric symptoms, ECT may form part of a specialist treatment plan.
Need for Rapid Response
When rapid improvement is clinically important, a psychiatrist may consider ECT after a detailed assessment.
Treatment Resistance
ECT may be discussed when adequate trials of other treatments have not provided sufficient improvement.
High-Risk Situations
In certain serious psychiatric situations, the treating team may consider ECT as part of urgent clinical management.
Individual Assessment
The decision to recommend ECT is based on the individual's diagnosis, symptoms, medical history and overall clinical assessment.
How ECT Treatment Works
ECT follows a structured process designed to support appropriate preparation, treatment and recovery.
Psychiatric Assessment
The psychiatrist evaluates symptoms, diagnosis, previous treatments and medical history.
Medical Evaluation
Appropriate medical assessments are completed before treatment.
Treatment Session
ECT is administered under anaesthesia with continuous clinical monitoring.
Recovery & Review
The patient is monitored during recovery and treatment response is reviewed by the clinical team.
Before an ECT Session
The clinical team provides instructions regarding preparation before each treatment session.
- Complete the required medical assessment.
- Follow the fasting instructions provided by the clinical team.
- Inform the team about current medications.
- Inform the team about relevant medical conditions.
- Follow all anaesthesia-related instructions.
Personalised Preparation Matters
Preparation for ECT is individualised. Your treating psychiatrist and medical team will provide specific instructions based on your health and treatment plan.
Patients and families should follow the instructions provided by the hospital team and raise any questions before the scheduled treatment.
What Happens During an ECT Session?
ECT is performed in a controlled medical setting by an appropriately trained clinical team.
Anaesthesia
A short-acting anaesthetic is administered by the medical team so the patient is asleep during the procedure.
Controlled Stimulus
A carefully controlled electrical stimulus is delivered according to the treatment plan.
Monitoring
Vital signs and relevant clinical parameters are monitored by the treatment team.
Safety, Recovery & Possible Side Effects
Like any medical treatment, ECT can have side effects. Your treating team will discuss the expected benefits, risks and alternatives before treatment.
Common Short-Term Effects
Some people may experience temporary confusion, drowsiness, headache, muscle soreness or nausea following treatment.
Memory Changes
Temporary memory difficulties can occur. The treating team monitors treatment response and side effects throughout the course.
Recovery Monitoring
After the procedure, patients remain under clinical observation until the recovery team determines that they are ready for the next stage of care.
Individualised Planning
The treatment schedule and number of sessions depend on the individual's clinical response and the psychiatrist's treatment plan.
ECT Is Part of a Comprehensive Treatment Plan
ECT may be used alongside other psychiatric treatments when clinically appropriate. Your psychiatrist will determine how ECT fits into your overall treatment plan.
- Detailed psychiatric assessment
- Medical evaluation before treatment
- Individualised treatment planning
- Ongoing monitoring of treatment response
- Follow-up psychiatric care
ECT Therapy FAQs
Answers to common questions about ECT treatment.
ECT is performed under short-acting anaesthesia, so the electrical stimulus is not experienced as a painful procedure while the patient is receiving treatment.
The treatment itself is brief, but the complete visit includes preparation, anaesthesia, treatment and recovery monitoring.
No. ECT is generally performed under short-acting anaesthesia, with the patient monitored by the clinical team.
Memory difficulties can occur with ECT. The treating team monitors patients throughout the course and considers the balance between treatment benefits and side effects.
The number and frequency of sessions vary between individuals and are determined by the psychiatrist based on clinical response and treatment goals.
No. ECT is considered based on the individual's psychiatric condition, medical history, treatment needs and clinical assessment.
Speak With Our Psychiatric Team
If you or your family member has been advised to consider ECT, our psychiatric team can help you understand the treatment process and available options.
The information on this page is for general educational purposes and does not replace an individual psychiatric or medical assessment. ECT is recommended only when clinically appropriate by the treating medical team.
Multi Behavioural Therapy
A structured therapeutic approach that combines behavioural techniques to help individuals understand patterns, develop healthier responses and work towards meaningful behavioural change.
What Is Multi Behavioural Therapy?
Multi Behavioural Therapy brings together appropriate behavioural strategies based on an individual's needs, concerns and therapeutic goals.
Therapy may focus on identifying unhelpful behavioural patterns, strengthening adaptive responses and developing practical skills that can be used in everyday life.
- Understanding behavioural patterns
- Developing healthier coping responses
- Improving emotional and behavioural regulation
- Building practical everyday skills
How Multi Behavioural Therapy Can Help
Therapy is tailored according to the individual's needs and may focus on different areas of behaviour and functioning.
Self-Awareness
Recognise behavioural patterns and understand situations that influence thoughts, feelings and actions.
Behaviour Regulation
Learn strategies to manage difficult reactions and develop more adaptive responses.
Problem Solving
Build practical approaches for handling everyday challenges and difficult situations.
Communication
Strengthen communication and interpersonal skills where appropriate.
Goal Setting
Work towards clearly defined therapeutic and behavioural goals.
Progress
Review behavioural changes and adjust strategies as therapy progresses.
What to Expect
The therapeutic process is adapted according to the individual's concerns and treatment plan.
Assessment
Understanding current concerns, behavioural patterns and therapeutic needs.
Goals
Establishing realistic and measurable therapeutic goals.
Intervention
Applying appropriate behavioural strategies and exercises.
Review
Monitoring progress and modifying the approach when required.
Multi Behavioural Therapy FAQs
Multi Behavioural Therapy is a structured therapeutic approach that can combine different behavioural strategies according to an individual's needs and goals.
Behavioural therapy may be considered for individuals experiencing behavioural, emotional, developmental or other psychological concerns, depending on clinical assessment and suitability.
The duration varies depending on the individual's concerns, treatment goals, response to therapy and recommendations from the treating professional.
Speak With Our Mental Health Team
If you are considering behavioural therapy, our team can help assess your concerns and discuss appropriate treatment options.
The information provided on this page is for general educational purposes and does not replace an individual clinical assessment. Treatment recommendations are made according to each person's specific needs by qualified mental health professionals.
Aversion Therapy
A behavioural treatment approach that uses carefully structured associations to help reduce unwanted behaviours or responses, when clinically appropriate.
What Is Aversion Therapy?
Aversion therapy is a behavioural technique designed to reduce the appeal or reinforcement associated with a specific unwanted behaviour.
It may be considered as part of a broader treatment plan for selected behavioural or addiction-related concerns. Suitability depends on individual assessment.
- Identifying unwanted behavioural patterns
- Understanding triggers and reinforcement
- Developing alternative coping strategies
- Supporting healthier behavioural choices
Where Aversion Therapy May Be Considered
Aversion-based techniques are not suitable for everyone. A qualified mental health professional should determine whether they are clinically appropriate.
Addiction Treatment
May be considered within selected addiction treatment programs as one component of a broader treatment plan.
Habit Reduction
Behavioural techniques may be used to help reduce certain unwanted or repetitive habits.
Behaviour Change
The approach may form part of a structured plan designed to encourage alternative behaviours.
Individual Assessment Is Important
Aversion therapy is not appropriate for every person or every condition. The specific technique, risks, benefits and alternatives should be discussed with a qualified mental health professional before treatment.
How Treatment May Be Structured
Treatment planning depends on the individual's clinical presentation and overall therapeutic goals.
Assessment
A professional evaluates the behaviour, triggers, history and treatment needs.
Planning
A suitable treatment strategy is developed based on the assessment.
Therapy
Appropriate behavioural interventions are introduced under professional guidance.
Follow-Up
Progress is reviewed and the treatment plan is adjusted when clinically necessary.
Aversion Therapy FAQs
Aversion therapy is a behavioural approach that aims to reduce an unwanted behaviour by creating an association that makes the behaviour less appealing.
No. Suitability depends on the individual's clinical situation, treatment goals, history and other factors. A qualified professional should assess whether the approach is appropriate.
Aversion-based techniques have been used in some addiction treatment settings, but treatment should generally be considered as part of a broader, individually tailored recovery plan.
Not necessarily. Depending on the individual's needs, behavioural interventions may be combined with counselling, psychotherapy, medication or other clinically appropriate treatments.
Speak With Our Mental Health Team
If you are considering behavioural therapy or addiction-related treatment, our team can help assess your concerns and discuss appropriate treatment options.
The information provided on this page is for general educational purposes and does not replace an individual clinical assessment. Treatment recommendations are made according to each person's specific needs by qualified mental health professionals.