A carer is someone who provides unpaid care and support to family members and friends who have a disability, mental illness, chronic condition, terminal illness, an alcohol or other drug issue or who are frail aged.
Carers NT is a not-for-profit, community based organisation and registered charity dedicated to improving the lives of family carers living in the Northern Territory. We work collaboratively with the Carers Associations in each state and territory along with our partners to influence the development of policies and essential services in the Northern Territory.
Carers NT supports carers in the Northern Territory to maintain their caring role and to take a break for themselves when they need to. We provide respite, therapy services, education and training, advice and information, Volunteer Community
Services Offered
Carers NT’s qualified Counsellors provide carers with a confidential service supporting them to develop strategies to manage their caring roles.
Carer Counsellors are available for counselling in office, by phone or skype. Some capacity does exist for home visits. Where the carer is unable to leave the home the use of taxi vouchers is also an option if transport is an issue.
A professional counsellor is a highly trained individual who is able to use a different range of counselling approaches with their clients. Carers NT Counsellors hold qualifications in Counselling, Psychology and Social Work.
A counsellor is someone who can talk to carers about their caring role, and any issues they may be having. The role of a counsellor is to enable the carer to explore aspects of their life and feelings, by talking openly and freely. Talking in such a way is rarely possible with family or friends, who are likely to be emotionally involved and have opinions and judgements that may be detrimental to your situation.
The counsellor gives the carer an opportunity to express difficult feelings such as anger, frustration, stress, and grief in a confidential and private environment. Counsellors can suggest techniques, strategies and coping mechanisms to improve the carer’s current situation.
Counselling provides the opportunity to talk confidentially with a qualified person who can assist you to make positive changes in your life. The experience of exploring thoughts and feelings with a counsellor can relieve the sense that carers are alone with their problems.
Counselling can additionally build resilience and improve coping strategies in the caring role. Effective counselling reduces stress and negative emotions, allowing the carer to make positive changes in their wellbeing.
Counselling assists the carer to understand themselves and the needs of the care recipient better. It helps Carers explore the way they think, ultimately helping to develop a clearer understanding of their issues.
Fees and Payment
Counselling services are provided free of charge.
Services Offered To: Adults Couples Teens Children
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.
