We are a community-controlled, peer-led organisation that provides health and social support services to our community.
We celebrate diversity, strengthen community and empower individuals to live their best lives. Community, health and action are the core of Meridian and how we work.
We bring our community together to celebrate and nurture the rich diversity within our communities and to strengthen our collective resilience against the adverse effects of stigma, discrimination, and marginalisation. We value our legacy and history as an organisation established and led by volunteers in response to the HIV epidemic, and we are committed to ensuring our communities, volunteers, members, and allies remain central to our work.
We are holistic in our approach to improving the health and wellbeing of our community members. We recognise the importance of safety, security, and connection to individual fulfillment. We know that our communities are diverse – our health needs are not all the same. Our person-centered programs and services recognise that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to improving health and wellbeing. At Meridian, we build our services around the goals, needs, and experiences of our clients.
We are fierce advocates for our communities. We stand up and raise our voices when we see discrimination and injustice, and we take action to ensure the needs of our communities are being met.
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Services Offered
Westlund Counselling at Meridian is the ACTÂ’s professional, peer-led counselling service for people living with HIV, people impacted by HIV, LGBTIQA+ people, their families-of-choice, carers and their allies.
Our qualified team provides confidential counselling for people who are seeking support to improve their mental health and wellbeing.
Westlund Counselling is committed to providing a safe, inclusive and non-judgemental therapeutic environment that values the unique lived experiences of anyone seeking counselling with our team.
We welcome members of the community over the age of 15, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, cultural background, religious belief or economic circumstances.
Fees and Payment
Services are low cost and charged on a sliding scale based on annual income. Westlund Counselling services are free for Health Care Card holders and people living with HIV.
Services Offered To: Adults Teens
Special Groups: LGBTQ
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.