Relationship Matters is a not-for-profit organisation that promotes healthy, respectful and fulfilling relationships within the Victorian community. We have a number of centres that service the majority of the state.
Relationship Matters has been supporting the community through counselling and education for over 73 years and was established and supported by the Anglican Diocese over the years. We are the relationships people who build connected families, workplaces and communities.
Relationship Matters has a long history in marriage guidance and relationship counselling in Australia and is very proud to support marriage equality.
We pride ourselves on exceptional and responsive service delivery and a seamless experience internally through our various service streams and externally with our extensive networks with other community agencies and professional associations.
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Services Offered
Our relationships with others and ourselves can be challenging at times. Sometimes we need help being honest and open about the challenges we face. Counselling can bring hope through supporting couples, families and individuals to talk about their concerns and explore solutions.
Relationship Matters’ qualified family relationship counselor’s work with adults, children, couples and families from a range of backgrounds, facing a range of challenges. No matter what stage of life you are at, whether it’s dealing with relationship problems, or wanting to connect more deeply with the most important people in your life, Counselling can help.
Throughout the counselling process the aim is to help couples/individuals to gain insight, clarity and perspective. Counselling at Relationship Matters is designed to help people find solutions using their own personal strengths, and to focus on your well-being and the well-being of those around you.
Counselling sessions usually run for an hour. There is no ‘set number’ of counseling sessions, because every couple, person or family that comes to Relationship Matters is different. Counselling is completely confidential; anything you say to your counselor is private unless the counselor is required by law to protect your safety or the safety of others.
Fees and Payment
Relationship Matters is a not-for-profit community organisation and is partially funded by the Federal Government. Our fees are based on how much you or your family earns per year (gross household income) and the type of counselling you have accessed (Couple, Individual, Child Counselling).
The cost of counselling will be discussed with you when you make your first appointment.
If at any time your circumstances change, you can discuss your fees with your counsellor or our Client Services team.
Services Offered To: Adults Couples Teens Children
Payment: Sliding Scale
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.