As a not-for-profit organisation, St John of God Health Care (SJOG) has a proud history of providing outreach services in areas of unmet need, many of which are delivered for free or at low cost through an allocation of eligible revenue from our hospitals. Every time you choose a St John of God Health Care hospital, you help us provide outreach services to people in need in our community.
Through our Social Outreach services, we strive to meet the needs of people within our communities who are experiencing disadvantage, with a focus on areas of unmet needs in health care.
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Services Offered
SJOG provides counseling and support for a variety of issues through the following programs:
Raphael Services - A free service supporting parents through the emotional challenges of early parenthood. Offer early-intervention counseling, therapy and support up to baby’s fourth birthday.
Mental Wellbeing Services - Free or low cost specialised, community based mental health treatment and support for people aged 16 years and over. Individual counseling and group therapy are available. Referral from your GP with a Mental Health Care plan is required.
Fees and Payment
Free or low cost
Services Offered To: Adults Teens
Payment: Sliding Scale
Online Counseling: Yes
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.