The government slashed Medicare rebates for the Better Access program from a maximum of 18 visits to 10 in November last year.

This meant vulnerable Bunbury adults undergoing a course of treatment had their sessions cut short without warning.

Last week the government agreed to allow patients suffering exceptional circumstances to receive an additional six sessions between March and December this year.

The backflip followed fierce opposition from a Senate inquiry and an outcry from mental health professionals.

Bunbury psychologist Daniella Princi said it had been a difficult time for patients after the news their treatment had been cut just before the Christmas holidays.

“Patients have been very understanding, but there were some that I had to see through the end of the year – I couldn’t just stop their treatment,” Ms Princi said.

Ms Princi said the abrupt funding cuts meant some patients had made the decision not to come back to psychology services.

“The big thing was that there was a feeling of panic among patients of what happens now?” she said.

“We just supported them as best we could through that time.”

Federal member for Forrest Nola Marino said the backflip had vindicated criticism that cuts to the program were made without consideration for their effect on people suffering serious mental conditions.

“There has been a lot of undue stress for patients, their families and support networks and the practitioners treating them,” Mrs Marino said.

Mental health minister Mark Butler said the Better Access program was never intended to provide intensive services or ongoing therapy to people with severe mental illness.

He said reinstating the sessions would allow time for the government’s new mental health services to build capacity and respond to people with more complex needs.

Patients will be eligible for an additional six mental health services under exceptional circumstances from March 1 to December 31 this year.

For more information go to health.gov.au

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