Counselling for carers
If you feel stressed, sad or frustrated, it may help to speak with a counsellor to discuss your situation. They can provide strategies to help you work through your emotions.
Carer Gateway provides free counselling to carers. There are three types of counselling options available:
If you are distressed and need immediate support, please call one of the following 24 hour crisis support services:
- Lifeline 13 11 14 (for anyone)
- Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (for people aged 5 to 25)
In-person one-on-one counselling
Our Carer Gateway service providers offer in-person counselling where you can speak one-on-one with a professional counsellor who is experienced in supporting carers.
This type of counselling allows you to speak openly and honestly about how you’re feeling in relation to your caring role. A trained counsellor will work with you to understand and help you explore your concerns. Your counsellor will provide a safe space to explore specific issues and work together on the way forward.
Carers can access six in-person one-on-one counselling sessions over a shorter or longer period of time, depending on your needs.
To access this type of counselling, call Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737 Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm and select option 1 to speak with your local service provider. They will register you with Carer Gateway (if you aren’t already) and start the planning process.
In-person group counselling
Our Carer Gateway service providers run group counselling sessions, where carers can come together and discuss their situations and emotions in a safe environment with a professional counsellor facilitating the discussion.
Group counselling, led by a professional counsellor can have benefits such as shared learning, increased connection with carers and the advantage of being able to provide and receive support from others. It isn’t recommended for all carers though, so individual counselling may be more suitable for you.
The carer planning process will help you and your local service provider determine your interest as well as suitability for group counselling.
To access this type of counselling, call Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737 Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm and select option 1 to speak with your local service provider. They will register you with Carer Gateway (if you aren’t already) and start the planning process.
Phone counselling
The Carer Gateway Counselling Service provides counselling and resources to support carers. Professional counsellors talk one-on-one with you about the concerns you have and how you feel about your carer role.
For more information or to book a phone counselling appointment you can call Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737 and select option 2 to speak to our phone counselling team. You can also request a call back by visiting the phone counselling page.
The Carer Gateway Counselling Service is available to carers over 18 years.
If you are a carer and you are under 18 years of age, contact the Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 for support.
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