Counselling 

Counselling provides a way of dealing with and resolving issues.  It is a process that involves a confidential and non-judgmental relationship between a counsellor and a client.  The counsellor acts as a facilitator who helps you to understand your feelings, behaviours, choices and relationships with others.

Counselling sessions may involve:

• Gaining a greater understanding of what is happening

• Identifying options and choosing between them

• Learning new skills to cope better with problems

• Being supported while recovering from a significant life event

Counselling offers a safe environment in which you can:

• Gain clarity and perspective on the issue

• Receive the support you need to make decisions

• Deal with negative feelings and emotions

• Explore personal resources and develop new skills

Counsellors work from differing theoretical approaches and will place varying levels of emphasis on behaviour, thinking and/or on emotional aspects of the counselling process.  All counsellors have the central goal of assisting you to increase your sense of well-being.

Length of counselling

Face to face sessions are usually 50 mins in length and the number of counselling sessions required will depend on a number of variables:

• the type of problem

• the severity of the problem

• your motivation

Some people require only one session, or you and your counsellor may agree that you would benefit from a number of sessions.

A Medicare rebate is available to clients that have been referred to a counsellor from their doctor and this rebate is available for 12 sessions per year.

Access to psychologists through the Medicare Benefits Schedule

Face to face counselling

Australian Psychology Society

Search online for a psychologist

Web link: www.psychology.org.au

Positive Counselling

Free counselling sessions for people living with HIV or Hepatitis C, their partners and family members.

Website: www.positivecounselling.org.au

Victorian AIDS Council/Gay Mens Health Centre Counselling Service

Counselling is available at a reduced rate for men who have sex with men, women who have sex with women, transgendered people and those living with HIV, their partners and family members.

Web link: VAC/GMHC Counselling Website

Melbourne Sexual Health Centre

One off and short term counselling sessions are offered free of charge to individuals or couples with concerns about their sexual health and sexually transmissible infections (STI's) such as their management of herpes or HIV infections.

Web link: MSHC Website

Drummond St Relationship Centre

Counselling is available at a reduced rate for individuals, couples and families to explore and work on issues which impact on the quality of their relationships.

Web link: Drummond St Relationship Centre

Relationships Australia

Counselling for couples, individuals, and families who are seeking improved relationships, or resolution of relationship difficulties.

Website: www.relationships.com.au

Country Awareness Network (CAN)

People living in regional Victoria may wish to speak with the Country Awareness Network for referral to appropriate services.

Phone: 61 3 5443 8355

Telephone counselling

The services listed below offer telephone counselling, information and referral. The use of the telephone allows for an immediate, anonymous and confidential response in both crisis and non-crisis situations.

Lifeline Australia

Lifeline telephone counsellors are ready to talk and listen no matter how big or how small the problem might seem. They are trained to offer emotional support in times of crisis or when callers may be feeling down.

Phone: 13 11 14 (24 hours, 7 days a week)

Website: www.lifeline.org.au

Suicide Helpline

Counselling and support concerning suicide.

Phone: 1300 651 251 (24 hours, 7 days a week)

Website: www.suicidehelpline.org.au

Mensline Australia

A dedicated service for men with relationship and family concerns.

Phone: 1300 789 978 (24 hours, 7 days a week)

Website: www.menslineaus.org.au

Kids Help Line

Counselling for people under 18 years of age.

Phone: 1800 55 1800 (24 hours, 7 days a week)

Website: www.kidshelpline.com.au

Gay and Lesbian Switchboard

A peer-based counselling service staffed by lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender counsellors. 

The service is anonymous, confidential, and non-judgemental.

Phone: 61 3 9663 2939 / 1800 184 527 (Regional Callers)

Web link: Gay & Lesbian Switchboard Website

Australian Bisexual Men’s Association

Gammaline is a telephone counselling service specifically directed toward men who have sex with men and women, and the female partners of these men.

Phone: 61 3 9899 0509 / 1800 807 660 (Regional Callers)

Web link: GAMMA Line Website

Anxiety Disorders Association of Victoria Inc (ADAVIC)

Support and information for anyone with anxiety or depression.

Phone: 61 3 9853 8089