NewAccess for Small Business Owners

Beyond Blue’s NewAccess for Small Business Owners is a guided self-help mental health coaching program. 

It’s free, confidential and convenient. Available nationally by phone or video call, no GP referral is required. 

Over 6 sessions, your mental health coach will work with you to manage stress and overwhelm using straightforward problem-solving approaches.  

All mental health coaches are specially trained and have a small business background so they understand your unique challenges. 

Not a small business owner or sole trader?

Find out if there’s a general NewAccess program offered in your area: Find out more about NewAccess for individuals

“I was experiencing business-related stress which spilled over into my personal life. By the end of the program, I had no anxiety and had complete confidence in my decision-making.

“The sessions were tailored to my specific challenges, and the weekly activities and coaching strategies were practical and realistic."

NewAccess for Small Business Owners participant

Submit an enquiry

Tailored mental health support for small business owners 

Running a small business can be exciting and empowering. It can also involve stress and pressure coming from many directions. Without healthy coping strategies, these demands can put you at risk of developing more severe mental health challenges.

NewAccess for Small Business Owners is a guided self-help program designed to support the mental health of small business owners like you. It can help you reduce stress and overwhelm from everyday life stressors like running a small business, relationships, health or loneliness.   

The program uses Low-intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (LiCBT) that helps you break unhelpful thoughts by recognising the way you think, act and feel. 

NewAccess for Small Business Owners may be right for you if you: 

  • are 18 years or older 
  • own a small business, or are a sole trader, with 20 employees or fewer 
  • aren’t currently seeing a psychologist or psychiatrist. 

NewAccess isn’t a crisis support program. To find other support options, talk to your GP or visit Get mental health support.

Program structure

You'll work with a mental health coach with a small business background. They’ll guide you through a tailored, personal program, including: 

  • initial session – 60 minutes 
  • 5 weekly sessions – 30 minutes each 
  • follow up check-ins after your finish the program. 

Your coach will give you practical activities to complete between sessions. 

What to expect from NewAccess for Small Business Owner

After you submit an enquiry you’ll be contacted to talk about the program and booking in your first session. 

At your first session you and your mental health coach will: 

  • 1. Talk through your challenges
  • 2. Develop a problem statement 
  • 3. Create a plan based on your needs. 

If your symptoms are too severe or complex for this program, your coach will help you find a more appropriate service. 

After your initial assessment you’ll have up to 5 sessions with your coach. In these weekly 30-minute sessions you’ll: 

  • walk through your plan
  • learn practical skills 
  • review your progress. 

Online and phone delivery because we know you’re busy 

You can complete the program remotely from anywhere in Australia by phone or video call. Sessions with your coach can be booked between Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm AEST.  The program is closed on public holidays.

Measurable results 

At each session you’ll review your progress with your mental health coach so you can see how you’re tracking. 7 out of 10 people who participate in NewAccess report a significant reduction in symptoms of anxiety and depression. 

“I would recommend the NewAccess program to any small business owner who is looking to strengthen their capacity to deal with the unique mental health challenges associated with running a small business.”

NewAccess for Small Business Owners participant

Specialist mental health coaches who understand small business

Mental health coaches in the NewAccess for Small Business Owners program have: 

  • a small business background - allowing them to better understand the challenges you face.
  • twelve months specialised training – including practical learning under specialist clinical supervision. 

Coaches are trained in Low-intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy by CBT Institute to help develop and guide participants through their tailored program.  

Low-intensity Cognitive Based Therapy is a structured, evidence-based psychological treatment. Put simply, it allows you to recognise the way you think, act and feel.  

“I found by the end of the program I was worrying less but also managing my worry and anxiety particularly well. This is a must have for small business owners who have been through it all over the last two years.”

NewAccess for Small Business Owners participant

Submit an enquiry

More information about New Access for Small Business Owners

The program is a joint initiative by Beyond Blue and the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman. It’s a response to rising calls for a dedicated mental health support service for small business owners. 

NewAccess mental health coaching is based on the United Kingdom’s successful Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) model. For more information see How we know it works. 

NewAccess for Small Business Owners is funded by The Treasury and delivered by Richmond Fellowship Queensland.