For over 40 years, Central Australian Aboriginal Congress (Congress) has provided support and advocacy for Aboriginal people in the struggle for justice and equity.
Since that time, Congress has expanded to become the largest Aboriginal community-controlled health organisation in the Northern Territory, providing a comprehensive, holistic and culturally-appropriate primary health care service to Aboriginal people living in and nearby Alice Springs, including five remote communities - Amoonguna, Ntaria (and Wallace Rockhole), Santa Teresa, Utju (Areyonga) and Mutitjulu.
Today, we are one of the most experienced Aboriginal primary health care services in the country, a strong political advocate of closing the gap on Aboriginal health disadvantage and a national leader in improving health outcomes for all Aboriginal people.
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Services Offered
Our Social & Emotional Wellbeing Service provides Aboriginal people and their families (including children and adolescents) with holistic and culturally appropriate primary health care for social and cultural wellbeing, mental health and community connectedness.
Our service includes: -Confidential counselling and psychological services, including psycho-education -Social and cultural support including case management, Women’s and Men’s bush trips, art therapy, access to local language speakers and connection to country -Drug and alcohol treatment for Aboriginal people experiencing the effects of harmful alcohol and alcohol use
We also have a dedicated GP service offering: -Health checks -Mental health care plans -Access to free medications -Medical care for illness and disease -Nutrition support – education on good and bad foods and exercise -Referrals to care coordination -Healthy lifestyle promotion
All of these services can be accessed through your local clinic.Â
In order to achieve ultimate outcomes for our clients, we encourage them to assist us to develop their treatment pathways, so that they are empowered to make the changes they desire.
Our Social and Emotional Wellbeing team want Aboriginal people to live longer, happier, healthier lives.
Fees and Payment
Counselling services are provided free of charge.
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.