We are a fiercely proud community organisation. For our entire history, the work of ACON has been designed by and for our communities.
Established in 1985, our early years were defined by community coming together to respond to the HIV/AIDS epidemic in NSW, and we remain committed to ending HIV for everyone in our communities. As we have grown, we have been proud to work with a diverse range of people to ensure their voice and health needs are represented in the work we do.
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Services Offered
We provide confidential fee-based short term counselling (up to 12 sessions) for LGBTIQ people seeking support in relation to their mental health and wellbeing. Volunteer counsellors use a solutions focused model and a range of therapeutic approaches to better equip people to deal with life’s challenges.
Fees for this service are negotiated according to individual circumstances, and priority is given to people on low incomes or with limited options.
LGBTIQ counselling is available in Sydney. For appointment options in regional NSW please contact the relevant office.
In addition to general mental health counselling, specialist substance support, suicide prevention and care coordination services are available. To access these services, you will need to undergo a brief assessment in person or over the phone.
Fees and Payment
Fees vary based on program, however all can be tailored to meet your individual financial circumstances.
Services Offered To: Adults Couples Teens
Special Groups: LGBTQ
Payment: Sliding Scale Pro-bono
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.