Supporting Survivors of Torture and Trauma (STTARS)
Supporting Survivors of Torture and Trauma (STTARS)
STTARS is a non-government, not-for-profit organisation with no political or religious affiliations.
STTARS welcomes all people regardless of their age, ability, ethnicity, culture, gender, sexual orientation, language or religious beliefs.
STTARS is an LGBTIQ+ friendly service that is proudly committed to inclusion and equity for all.
STTARS has been providing services to torture and trauma survivors in SA since 1991.
STTARS provides flexible and culturally sensitive services to promote the health and wellbeing of people who have been tortured or who have suffered refugee-related trauma prior to their arrival in Australia.
STTARS provides services to address a range of physical, psychological and social needs for survivors of torture and trauma.
You May Also Consider (Sponsored)
Quick Start Online Therapy: Tell Us a Little About Yourself and Get Matched With a Therapist Right for You
Take a simple guided quiz and let us know your preferences. Get matched to an online therapist right for you. Convenient and affordable online therapy from your phone, tablet or computer.
Have you been in therapy before?
Services Offered
STTARS is a specialised service that offers counselling for people from refugee and refugee-like backgrounds to support them in their recovery and healing process.
Our services are free of charge and may be accessed no matter how long a person has been in Australia. There is a waiting list for our services, but it is ‘managed’ and those with the highest needs are given priority.
STTARS offers counselling and other support for people who are having difficulties believed to be associated with their experience of torture or refugee-related trauma prior to their arrival in Australia.
We work with survivors across the spectrum of their settlement journey; our clientele includes people who have arrived in Australia on humanitarian or other permanent visa types, those who are seeking asylum, new arrivals and those who have been here for many years.
Our counsellors provide a safe and respectful environment in which survivors of torture and trauma can better understand, manage and heal from the physical and emotional pain of their experiences.
Our service is free, voluntary and confidential, and is conducted with qualified counsellors and interpreters.
People from refugee or refugee-like backgrounds (including asylum seekers) can refer themselves to STTARS for counselling support, or they may be referred – with their consent – by a GP, another organisation, a friend or a family member.
We offer a comprehensive range of services to help with recovery from the effects of torture and/or other traumatic events including: -Individual and family counselling -Group programs -Client advocacy -Specialist mental health clinic -Complementary therapies, e.g. physical therapy, massage, yoga -Referral to other services
Fees and Payment
STTARS counselling services are free.
Services Offered To: Adults Couples Teens Children
Payment: Sliding Scale Pro-bono
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.
