- What is counselling?
- When is counselling helpful?
- How can counselling help me?
- Will people know if I see a counsellor?
- Related links
- Next steps
What is counselling?
Counselling is talking to a trained professional to help you deal with feelings or experiences you are going through. Counselling can help with your communication skills and improve how you relate to people.
You can see a counsellor
- by yourself;
- with your partner or other family members; or
- as part of a group counselling session.
You can see a counsellor that specialises in helping people having difficulties in their family relationships. Some organisations also provide counselling services to children.
Your local service provider will help you find the most appropriate support for your circumstances.
More information about counselling and separation
When is counselling helpful?
You can access counselling services at any time, not just when you experience a crisis. You may want to improve your understanding of another family member, or build on the strengths of your relationship with your partner or family.
How can counselling help me?
Counselling can help you work out what your issues or concerns are, and what options you have to deal with them. The counsellor will not tell you what you have to do, but help you work things out.
Will people know if I see a counsellor?
Counselling services are confidential. Most organisations have their own privacy statement and will be able to tell you about the way they collect information. You are entitled to receive information about the organisation’s privacy policies. You can find a service by accessing ‘Find local help’.
Nick and Steph were travelling and enjoying their retirement when their two grandchildren aged 11 and 14 came to live with them unexpectedly. Nick and Steph are now having to adapt to life looking after teenagers. This presented them with a big lifestyle change. Although they want to look after their grandchildren they also feel grief at losing their old lifestyle and freedom. They also are anxious about parenting young adults.
They contact their local Family Relationship Centre. The counsellor helps them identify their main concerns and provides them with information on how to address them. The counselling service also puts them in contact with the local grandparent support group. They continue to receive counselling services to support them with the challenges of parenting teenagers.
Related links
Family mediation and dispute resolution
Next steps
Use Find Local Help to find a Counselling service
Call the Family Relationship Advice Line 1800 050 321 to find a Counselling Service
