We envision a healthy future for our sex, sexuality & gender diverse communities, a future without HIV — where all people live with dignity and wellbeing.
As a community-controlled organisation, we are governed by our members and work for people living with HIV as well as our sex, sexuality & gender diverse communities.
Looking after your wellbeing includes looking after your mental health. Research has shown that LGBTI Australians are at a higher risk of poor mental health conditions. In addition to our longstanding counselling services and therapeutic groups, we're continuing to build on the services we offer.
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Services Offered
Our counselling service provides professional, affordable counselling for individuals and couples who are affected by or at risk of HIV, and for members of the LGBTI community.
Counselling involves talking with an impartial listener in a confidential, non-judgmental, supportive and respectful environment. The counsellor will encourage you work through issues with increased awareness and understanding. It can help you develop greater self-acceptance, personal insight, and make positive life changes and decisions.
Counselling helps in a range of areas including: -New or recent HIV diagnosis or other health issues -Anxiety and depression -Sexual Assault -Living with HIV -Gender identity -Coming out -Living with HEP C -HIV and relationships -LGBTI intimate partner & family violence -Self-esteem -Grief and loss -HIV positive friends, family members or partners -Relationship issues -Safer sex, PrEP and PEP -Emotional, physical or sexual abuse
Fees and Payment
Affordable counselling is offered at a range of locations across Victoria.
Fees are based on a flexible, sliding scale depending on your income; a gold coin donation is the fee for Healthcare card holders and those on Disability Support Pensions.
Services Offered To: Adults
Special Groups: LGBTQ
Payment: Sliding Scale
If You Call, Please Let Us Know How it Went:
Were You Able to Make an Appointment?
One quick last question. Who was seeking counseling today?
Do you know the reason they are not accepting clients?
A community counseling agency is a group therapy practice that offers affordable mental health services. Most are independent non-profit agencies, state agencies, or publicly-funded agencies. A few may restrict who is eligible for services, so it is a good idea to check when you call.
Community counseling agencies are generally more affordable than other therapy providers, but how much more affordable they are will depend on whether you qualify for a discount or sliding scale fee (or if they accept your insurance). Many, but not all, have a policy that they won't turn away anyone due to inability to pay. You should ask about their fees when you first call.
Expect to talk to kind people who want to help you find the care you need. Most community agencies strive to connect you with a live person within 24 hours, if not immediately. If you're asked to hold or leave a message, don't give up; just leave a message and wait. You should hear back pretty quickly.
Most agencies try to set up an initial assessment appointment within a week (some do within 24 hours), though the waitlist to start therapy is usually longer—about a few weeks on average. If you're not eligible or if the agency is not right for you, it's usually still worth it to call or drop in, because staff are knowledgeable about local options and can often refer you to one.