What is counselling?

Counselling is when you talk with a qualified professional to help you make sense of and deal with things you are going through. It can help you to cope with issues you might be facing and help you manage daily life. Counselling is provided by a mental health professional called a counsellor, or by a psychologist or social worker.

What is a counsellor?

Counsellors (also called psychotherapists) are qualified mental health professionals. You can talk to a counsellor to help you overcome difficulties in your life.

Counsellors use a range of approaches and techniques to help you recognise and overcome problems that you may experience at any stage of life. They work in many settings, including schools, community services and private practice.

Counsellors ask questions and listen to you in a way that is:

• non-judgemental
• safe
• confidential

What is the difference between a counsellor and a psychologist?

A counsellor or psychotherapist is different from a psychologist.

Psychologists have special extended training and qualifications and are regulated by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Psychology services may be covered by government schemes such as Medicare or by private health insurance, depending on your eligibility.

Counsellors and psychotherapists do not belong to a national regulating body like psychologists. Counselling sessions are not covered by Medicare, but may be partly covered by private health insurance.

While counsellors can provide important and necessary support and assistance, some situations may be better supported by care from a psychologist or doctor. In this case, your counsellor will refer you for further assessment or support.

When should I see a counsellor?

You can see a counsellor at any point in your life. If you have something that is affecting your mental health, a counsellor can help you.

People of any age can see a counsellor. There are some counsellors who specialise in helping people at a particular stage of life.

Depending on your needs and your desired outcome, counselling can be for a short or long time. It can also be done:

• individually
• with specific people, such as family members or a partner
• in a group or community

What do counsellors do?

Counsellors can work with you to:

• improve your mental health
• help you understand yourself better
• help you develop strategies to work towards goals
• provide advice on the difficulties you are facing

A counsellor can help you develop your problem-solving skills by:

• helping you to understand the issues you are facing
• exploring your options to manage these issues
• providing you with the tools you need to solve your problems

Counsellors help people who are facing problems, such as:

• stress from caring for others or financial stress
• loss, grief and bereavement
• challenges with mental health and wellbeing
• relationship problems
• career changes
• stress in your school, work or home life
• trauma and domestic violence

Counsellors, alongside other health professionals, can also support people with mental illnesses like:

• depression
• postnatal depression
• post-traumatic stress disorder
• eating disorders, like anorexia or bulimia

Counsellors can refer you for more help if you need it. Counsellors do not diagnose mental health conditions.

Counselling can also:

• help with addictions — alcohol, drug or gambling addictions
• help you quit smoking
• help you manage anger
• help improve self-confidence and social skills

What should I expect during an appointment with a counsellor?

During your first appointment with a counsellor, they will ask you questions about yourself and what you want help with. They may also ask if you have had counselling or therapy before and how you felt about that experience.

They may also explain how they approach counselling sessions.

Counsellors offer a range of approaches. This means you can find a counselling style that best suits you. Some counsellors are trained in more than one approach, while others focus on a single approach.

Examples of different types of therapies used in counselling are:

• acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
• cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT)
• mindfulness
• couples counselling
• systemic family therapy
• narrative therapy
• group therapy, such as for grief or substance abuse

What questions should I ask a counsellor?

When meeting your counsellor for the first time, you should feel comfortable asking them any questions or raising any concerns that you have.

Here are some questions you might like to ask:

• What can I expect from my counselling sessions?
• What sort of counselling experience do you have?
• How many sessions do you expect we may need?
• What style of counselling do you practise?
• What is the goal of our time together?
• Will my family or friends be involved in our sessions at any point?
• What costs are involved, and are costs covered by Medicare or private health insurance?

Sometimes it can be hard to talk about your mental health. Your counselling sessions are a safe and confidential place. You can ask anything that comes to mind.

Don't worry if you don't have any questions prepared — your counsellor will guide you through the process.

FIND A HEALTH SERVICE — The Service Finder can help you find doctors, pharmacies, hospitals and other health services.

How do I find a counsellor?

To find a counsellor you can ask your doctor for a recommendation or search online through lists of counsellors near you through professional counselling bodies.

In Australia, most counsellors have qualifications and training. It's a good idea to check that any counsellor you plan to see is a member of a professional body, such as:

• the Australian Register of Counsellors and Psychotherapists
• the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia
• the Australian Counselling Association

You can find a counsellor in your local area on these websites. You can search for counsellors by location, languages spoken and type of counselling provided.

Other healthcare professionals can also provide counselling, including:

• some doctors
• occupational therapists
• mental health nurses
• mental health social workers
• psychologists and psychiatrists

Is my counsellor a good fit for me?

After a few sessions, you should know whether you feel comfortable with your counsellor. You should:

• not feel judged or criticised
• feel comfortable speaking your mind
• start to see some improvement and feel better

The type of counsellor you see will depend on:

• your reason for getting counselling
• the type of therapy best suited to your situation

If you don't feel that you are making progress, or you feel that the counsellor isn't right for you, try talking openly with your counsellor to express your concerns or change counsellors.

Can counselling be done online?

Some counselling can be done online through interactive counselling programs. These are often supported and managed by mental health professionals. You may find this more comfortable or convenient.

You can ask your doctor about accessing online counselling programs.

ASK YOUR DOCTOR — Preparing for an appointment? Use the Question Builder for general tips on what to ask your GP or specialist.

Do I need a referral to see a counsellor?

You can find and contact a counsellor directly to make an appointment. You don't need a referral to see a counsellor. You can also talk to your doctor about your concerns and ask for counselling recommendations.

Is counselling confidential?

By law, a counsellor must keep what you tell them confidential (private). This includes what children may tell their counsellor, although there may be limits depending on the child's age, the situation and safety concerns.

However, there are some exceptions. This includes times when you or another person is thought to be at risk of harm.

Your counsellor should discuss confidentiality in your first session.

What is the cost?

The cost of counselling varies depending on your counsellor and the number of sessions you need. Medicare does not cover counselling unless it is provided by specific health practitioners, such as:

• a psychologist under a mental health treatment plan
• a doctor
• a psychiatrist

Some private health funds may cover part of your fee for seeing a counsellor.

Free or low-cost counselling may be available through:

• community centres
• charities
• religious organisations
• online mental health organisations

These are often available both face-to-face and online.

Resources and support

Are you having a tough time and need to talk to someone? These helplines and services are available to call or chat online:

• Lifeline — for anyone having a personal crisis, call 13 11 14 or chat online.
• Suicide Call Back Service — for anyone thinking about suicide, call 1300 659 467.
• Beyond Blue — for anyone feeling depressed or anxious, call 1300 22 4636 or chat online.
• SANE Australia — access SANE's range of free mental health supports or call 1800 187 263.
• MensLine Australia — a free telephone and online counselling service, call 1300 78 99 78.
• KidsHelpline — free confidential online and phone counselling services for young people aged 5 to 25 years, call 1800 55 1800 or chat online.
• Medicare Mental Health — for advice and to get connected to local mental health services, call 1800 595 212. Check the operating times.

Medicare Mental Health also has a fact sheet about Medicare Mental Health Centres in easy read format.

Visit headspace for a booklet on understanding your feelings in easy read format.

NSW Health has a fact sheet called 'People who can help me with my mental health' in easy read format.

You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Languages other than English

Embrace Multicultural Mental Health has services and information available.

THIS WAY UP has translated resources on mental health topics.

The Transcultural Mental Health Centre has translated mental health resources in over 40 languages.

Information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples

13YARN — for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples who are in crisis and need support — call 13 92 76.

Brother to Brother Dardi Munwurro is a crisis line for men — call 1800 435 799.

WellMob has online resources to support mental health.