We are an integrated practice-research organisation that draws on our history of bringing family therapy to Australia to promote healthy relationships in families, organisations and communities.
The Department of Families, Fairness and Housing funds us to research the development, translation and implementation of family-sensitive, trauma informed models of practice, with the ultimate goal of improving the lives of individuals and families experiencing mental health and substance use issues.
We are a values-based learning organisation and provide integrated services.
We combine: -clinical family therapy -model development -academic teaching -qualitative and quantitative research -workforce development -community education.
Our integrated model means that our clinical work is also a site for clinical research and clinical model development. Our models and research findings are disseminated through our academic courses and put into practice through our workforce development programs.
Our research team draws on action research methods to help our workforce development teams translate our ideas and models into practice, which helps to improve implementation outcomes.
The research findings drawn from this work feeds back into the clinical program and our academic program, keeping them up-to-date and relevant. Our approach is to work collaboratively with our colleagues in the field, influencing and supporting them and being equally supported and influenced by them.
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Services Offered
Family therapy aims to help families find new ways to approach challenges. Our team of experienced family therapists offer families a safe place to find solutions and build stronger relationships.
By ‘family’, we mean people in a close or significant relationship with each other. You do not have to be related or in a legally recognised relationship to have family therapy with us.
When one or more people in a family experience difficulties, those around them are usually affected too. Family therapy can benefit individuals and the whole family. It gives an opportunity for all family members to share their thoughts and feelings, and to be part of the solution.
We offer fully funded family therapy and support for a range of needs. We see families where an adult, child or young person has: -a serious mental illness, including families where a parent has a mental illness. -a significant alcohol and/or other drug related problem -experienced traumatic event(s) or abuse including sexual and/or physical abuse/neglect.
Fees and Payment
Family therapy and counselling is free.
Services Offered To: Adults Couples
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.