Counselling and Casework Service
Our general counselling service offers face-to-face counselling for individuals across a range of issues which can impact on your life. In addition to counselling, the service can also provide consultancy, advocacy, referral, casework and support. Our counsellors will assist you to identify your goals, gain a better understanding of the issues you are facing and teach you strategies for managing them.
Counsellors can assist you in the following areas:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Trauma
- Grief and loss
- Family/relationship issues
- Family violence
- Stress
- Health issues
The counselling service also runs groups as required. These are run on an “as needed” basis so it is best to contact the service to find out what groups are available.
Eligibility Criteria
- The counselling service is available to Upper Yarra Valley community members aged 16 years +. NB. There is a limited service available for young people aged 13 to 15 years.
- We do not see children or offer relationship counselling
Referral
Referrals should be made through our Service Coordination Team who can be contacted on 1300 130 381. They will do a brief assessment over the telephone to ascertain the client’s purpose for requesting counselling and identify any other areas of need they might have that we can assist with or provide a referral for.
We accept both self referral and referral from other health professionals. Where the referral has been made from someone other than the client, our staff will clarify that the client is aware of the referral and expecting to be contacted by us.
Cost
Free to lower and middle income groups.
Our Team
The YVCH Counselling and Casework Team is comprised of a range of counsellors, social workers and psychologists with a variety of areas of expertise.
Yarra Valley Community HealthAddressYarra Valley Community Health, White Street, Healesville.
ContactP 1300 130 381
F (03) 5962 1458
HoursMonday – Friday 8.30 am to 5.00 pm
Car ParkingCar Parking is free at Healesville and Yarra Junction. Car Parking charges apply at Eastern Health hospitals.
Public TransportLocal buses run regularly through both Healesville and Yarra Junction.
InformationCounselling is also available in Yarra Junction, Angliss, Box Hill and Maroondah hospitals.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
For general information on anxiety and depression:
www.beyondblue.org.au
www.anxietyaustralia.com.au
Grief and loss:
www.nalagvic.org.au
www.grief.org.au
Legal:
www.legalaid.vic.gov.au
Crisis support:
www.dvrcv.org.au
Phone: 9486 9866
www.lifeline.org.au
Phone: 13 11 14
www.suicideline.org.au
Phone: 1300 651 251
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What happens in counselling?Your counsellor will work with you to identify and clarify issues and the impacts these are having on your wellbeing. You can expect to be treated with respect and have your decisions supported. At times counsellors will offer alternative views and ideas and generally help you see your life circumstances more clearly and assist with developing strategies and decision making. |
How much does it cost?Counselling is free for lower and middle income groups. |
How often will I come?This varies from person to person. You and your counsellor will decide together how regular your appointments will be. |
Is what we talk about confidential?Your privacy is important and it is vital to the work we do. Everything said in counselling is confidential. This means that unless we have verbal or written permission from you, we won’t discuss your information with others, including family members. There are some limits to confidentiality and these are:
If you have been referred by a GP, where it is important for your wellbeing we will provide a brief report to that doctor after 6 and 12 sessions, or earlier, if appropriate.
There may be times when information is provided to other professionals in order to protect you or others from harm. We are bound by law to do this. The specific types of situations are a) if you are likely to harm yourself or others; b) if there is a child at risk of harm and c) if the courts compel us to disclose information. |