NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors - STARTTS
NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors - STARTTS
STARTTS is a specialist, non-profit organisationthat for 30 years has provided culturally relevant psychological treatment and support, and community interventions, to help people and communities heal the scars of torture and refugee trauma and rebuild their lives in Australia.
STARTTS also fosters a positive recovery environment through the provision of training to services, advocacy and policy work.
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Services Offered
STARTTS’ counsellors work together with clients from a refugee or refugee like backgrounds, or seeking asylum, to help them develop ways to better manage their reactions to new situations, address and resolve problems, and work through thoughts and feelings.
Counselling helps clients cope more effectively and regain control over their lives. STARTTS provides counselling face-to-face and via telehealth.
STARTTS counsellors come from a range of professional backgrounds including social work, psychology, welfare, family therapy and community development. They use a variety of counselling techniques and therapeutic approaches to help refugees overcome the effects of their experiences.
Many of our counsellors come from refugee or refugee-like backgrounds and are familiar with the cultures and experiences of our diverse client group. Many of our counsellors also speak the same language as our clients, however if this is not the case we will arrange for a professional interpreter.
Services are available throughout NSW at various locations.
Fees and Payment
Counselling services are free of charge.
Services Offered To: Adults Couples Teens Children
Payment: Sliding Scale Pro-bono
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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.