What is a counsellor?

A counsellor is a professional with training and skills in listening to people talk about feelings and problems, without judging or telling them what to do, or giving them a diagnosis.

Counsellors can help people:

• better understand themselves and their feelings
• solve problems
• reach goals
• improve relationships
• feel good.

Counsellors might support people with a wide range of problems, or they might specialise in certain areas like relationships, grief or addiction.

What training do counsellors have?

Counsellors have various training, qualifications and backgrounds. Some counsellors have formal qualifications in counselling or psychotherapy. And others have backgrounds in teaching, nursing, psychology or social work.

Who do counsellors work with?

Counsellors might offer a mix of one-on-one, family and couples counselling. They might also offer group work for children and families.

Counsellors also work with families who have children with disability or other additional needs.

Where do counsellors work?

Counsellors are employed in government-funded, non-government and community organisations. These include community health care centres, mental health support services and hospitals. They also often work in schools, private practices and private organisations.

How a counsellor can help your child

Counsellors can help your child with:

• problems like school-age bullying, teenage bullying or learning difficulties
• social difficulties like friendship issues
• behaviour and emotional difficulties like anger, sadness, stress or worry
• grief and loss
• difficulties with eating and body image
• illness and hospitalisation
• family changes like parental separation or divorce.

If your child has health or wellbeing concerns, professionals like counsellors are there to care for you and your child. With the support and expertise of these professionals, you and your child can thrive.

How a counsellor can help you as a parent

Counsellors can help you cope with difficult life situations like:

• grief and loss
• relationship and communication problems
• work or financial difficulties
• stress, anxiety or depression
• parenting
• anger management
• the effects of addiction or abuse
• separation or divorce and blended families.

You don’t need a GP referral to see a counsellor, but your GP or child and family health nurse is always a good place to start if you’re worried about yourself for your child. Your GP can help you decide about seeing a counsellor and help you find someone suitable. You can also go to Australian Counselling Association – Find a counsellor, Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia – Find a therapist or Australian Register of Counsellors & Psychotherapists.

What to do before you or your child sees a counsellor

Before seeing a counsellor, it’s a good idea to find out about things like the following:

• Why you’re going – talk with your GP about why you think you or your child needs a referral to a counsellor.
• Who’s going – is it appropriate to take your child? Or if your child is old enough, they might want to see the counsellor by themselves.
• Appointments – do you need to make the appointment, or will the GP make it for you? Does the appointment need to be in person, or can it be via telehealth?
• Waiting lists – how long before you can get an appointment to see the counsellor?
• Is there anything you can do while you’re waiting for the appointment?
• Costs – how much will the appointment with the counsellor cost? Check whether you’re eligible for Medicare, private health insurance, or a workplace employee assistance program (EAP).
• Locations – find out where you go to see the counsellor – for example, a health centre, private consulting rooms, a youth centre or a school.
• Qualifications – is your counsellor a registered member of a professional organisation like the Australian Counselling Association or the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia? And does the counsellor specialise in the areas you need help with?

You might want to talk about these things and any other questions with your GP before going to the counsellor. You could also ask the counsellor’s clinic when you make the appointment. It’s a good idea to write down any questions you have, so you don’t forget.