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Counselling

This page has information about Child and Family Counselling services at Monash Health.

Counselling Services

The counselling team offer counselling and therapy to children, teenagers, families and carers. They have the experience to assist, understand and develop skills in the areas of:

  • emotional and psychological problems
  • family and relationship problems
  • grief, loss and trauma
  • parenting and behavioural problems
  • post and antenatal depression
  • mother and baby attachment

What we do

Community Counselling provides a range of services including:

  • counselling of children 0-14 years old with anxiety, depression and behavioural concerns, social issues.
  • antenatal and postnatal depression and parenting issues
  • parents with parenting issues and concerns

Who can use this service?

This service is for children (0-14 years) who: 

  • live, work, study or attend pre-school or child-care in the City of Greater Dandenong, City of Casey or Cardinia Shire
  • OR cannot access local services due to poor transport accessibility
  • OR service is not provided by local community health service

This service is not for children who:

  • are eligible for, or currently accessing another service such as:
    • Early Childhood Intervention Australia (ECIA),
    • ECIS
    • SCOPE
  • have an Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis
  • have current suicidal thoughts/self-harm behaviours
  • have been identified as appropriate for, or are already on, the Early Childhood Intervention Service waiting list (ECIS)
  • who have been sexually assaulted
  • are currently in a family violence situation. If family violence is historical and not the presenting issue we will see the child
  • are currently in a family separation situation. (If currently experiencing a family separation, please refer to Relationships Australia: www.relationships.org.au. We will see the child if the presenting issues are for anxiety post-separation

How to refer

Anyone can make a referral for community counselling services.

For referrals please:

Phone: (03) 8572 5631
Email: iCareAccess@monashhealth.org

Cost

The charge is based on the family’s income level.

Where our services are delivered

Our services are delivered at Springvale, Cranbourne, Pakenham and Dandenong Community Health centres.

Operating hours

We are open 8.30am – 5pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays.

Contact us:

For more information or assistance with a referral please contact us by email at: childandfamilyprogram@monashhealth.org

Help contacting us

For people who need help with English or an interpreter: : TIS: 131 450

For people with hearing or speech loss: TTY: 1800 555 677

Speak and Listen: 1800 555 727

Internet relay: National Relay Service: www.relayservice.gov.au

Other useful resources and alternative services

Here are some resources and alternative services for people who are waiting or do not currently qualify for Monash Health services.

  • Private Psychologists can be accessed via GP through a Mental Health Care Plan
  • Australian Psychological Society. Phone: 1800 333 497 or 03 8662 3300. Website: http://www.psychology.org.au
  • Australian Association of Social Workers Phone: 9663 3889. Website:  http://www.aasw.asn.au/
  • Postnatal Depression Services:
    • Post and Antenatal Depression Association. Phone:  9428 4600 (Metropolitan) or  1800 130 026 (Rural/Regional). Website: http://www.panda.org.au/
    • Raphael Centre (St John of God Hospital, Berwick). Phone:  9707 3988
  • Family Counselling and Support Services:
    • Windermere. Phone: 9705 3200
    • Family Mediation Centre Relationship Services. Phone: 8781 9111 or Free call 1800 639523
    • Relationships Australia. Phone: 1300 364 277
  • Sexual Abuse:
    • SECASA (South East Centre Against Sexual Assault). Tel:  9928 8741 or call the Crisis Line 24 hours. Phone: 9594 2289
  • Mental Health Services (e.g. current suicidal thoughts/self-harm behaviours)
    • ELMHS Phone: 8768 1569 or call Triage on: 1300 369 012.
    • Parent line. Phone: 1300 30 1300
    • Monash Children’s Hospital. Phone: 13 22 29
    • Child First. Phone: (03) 9705 3939
  • Family Violence

www.monashhealth.org