Please be advised that we are currently experiencing a high volume of referrals into our counselling services. We currently have a waiting period to access regular counselling sessions and a practitioner will be in contact within 3 business days to discuss the referral. 

Please contact the Counselling and Mental Health team on 8734 1355 for more information.

Wyndham City’s experienced and professional counsellors welcome your calls on any topic or matter requiring support.

Counselling sessions take place face to face at our locations (see locations below).

Please note that face to face bookings are subject to change due to ongoing COVID-19 updates. Your counsellor will provide you with future direction if required.

Children's Counselling

Wyndham City’s free children’s counselling service is available to children aged 8 – 11 who work/study, live, or recreate within Wyndham and are seeking primary and early intervention counselling.  We provide family support and consultations to parents and carers to assist the counselling process for the child.

No problem is too small to seek help for, and we encourage you to access our services whenever you feel the need.

We can offer you the following:

  • Up to 10 free individual counselling sessions
  • Up to 2 free family consultation sessions to support your child’s counselling plan
  • Connect you to local services

Please complete the counselling enquiry form below or call 8734 1355 for more information.

Children's Counselling Frequently Asked Questions

What is the intake process like?                                                                                                             

Initially, after a referral has been completed, contact will be made with preferred contacts to arrange an assessment to determine eligibility to our service. A consent form will be sent out which has to be completed and returned before we can begin the assessment.

If all eligibility requirements have been met (see above), then the child will be placed on the counselling waitlist and will be allocated to a counsellor that is suitable for you and the child.

How long until I get a response and who will I hear from?

Wait times can vary due to the fluctuating case load. However, we aim to make contact within 3 business days from the initial referral date.

You can expect a member of the counselling team to be in contact to arrange an assessment.

Will the counsellor tell me what is talked about in the session?

Counselling is a private and confidential space. The only time a counsellor would disclose sensitive information from sessions is if the child is at risk of harm to themselves or others. In this case, the counsellor would contact the listed emergency contact. This person does not always have to be a parent, but they do need to be a trusted and responsible adult. The only other time a counsellor would speak to parents/guardians is if the child asked them to or parents requested information but will be determined on a case by case basis. 

Where can I access counselling for the child?

Counselling can be offered in local Wyndham schools, youth centres such as the Youth Resource Centre and local community centres in Wyndham.

Counselling sessions are being delivered face to face. Counselling sessions are also delivered via telehealth upon request.

 

Can I be in the room with the child during counselling?

We can offer sessions that involve parents/guardians in the room as a lot of children may be uncomfortable in a one-on-one setting initially.

What if the child doesn’t like it after one session?

That is perfectly fine. Our counselling team will understand. All you need to do is let them know that the child does not wish to attend any future sessions. (This will prevent you from having to avoid their follow up calls in the weeks after.)

Can the child ask to see a counsellor of a certain gender?

Yes, please note this in your referral, however this may not always be an available option due to staffing

Can the child ask for a different counsellor?

Yes. You can request a different counsellor. We understand that not everyone will always click and we want to make sure they are feeling comfortable in their sessions. Please communicate this as soon as possible and we will do our best to accommodate.

Does the child need to have regular sessions or can they have sessions as needed?

Sessions are scheduled either weekly or fortnightly. This is due to the number of children and families accessing the counselling service and on the waitlist. For the counselling team to be able to support as many children and families as possible in Wyndham they need to stick with scheduled sessions.

If the child needs more sessions what happens then?

If they are leading up to their final appointment and feeling like they require more support, you or the child will need to discuss this with the allocated counsellor. If it is agreed that more sessions will be beneficial, the counsellor will request approval from management to extend their sessions or they will support a referral in order to access longer term support.

Do I have to pay for counselling?

No. Counselling is free through Wyndham Youth Services.

Does the child require a mental health plan?

No. All you need to do is complete a referral form.

What issues can be discussed with the counsellor?

Anything at all can be discussed. The counsellors are there to support you and the child with whatever issues are most pressing.

Some common examples of what children may discuss with their counsellor are feeling anxious about school, social pressures or difficulties with friends, issues in the home such as family violence or family breakdown, difficulties managing strong emotions, behavioural difficulties and so much more.

Is counselling available in languages other than English?

Upon request we can organise an interpreter to be present. Alternatively, the counselling team will support a referral to a service that can offer counselling in the specified language.

Can the counsellors provide support to parents/guardians of children?

Yes definitely. We encourage family inclusive practice where suitable and often find positive results when families are involved in the counselling process.

Who can I contact for more information?

For more information please contact Youth Services via email at middleyearscounselling@wyndham.vic.gov.au or call the Youth Resource Centre on 8734 1355

 

Youth Counselling

Wyndham City’s free Youth Counselling Services are available to young people aged

12 – 25 who live, work, study or recreate in Wyndham. Youth focussed and family centred support and consultations are also available to their parents or carers in agreement with the young person engaged in the service

No problem is too small to seek help for, and we encourage you to access our services whenever you feel the need.

We can offer you the following:

  • Up to 10 free counselling sessions inclusive of family consultation sessions
  • Connect you to local services

Please complete the counselling enquiry form below or call 8734 1355 for more information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the counsellor tell my parents about what I talk about?

Counselling is a private and confidential space. The only time a counsellor would talk to your parents is if you are at risk of harm to yourself or others. In this case, your counsellor would contact your listed emergency contact. This person does not always have to be a parent, but they do need to be a trusted and responsible adult. The only other time a counsellor would speak to your parents is if you asked them to.

Do my parents have to know I’m getting counselling?

If you are over the age of 18 then no, your parents will not need to know. If you are under the age of 18 the counselling team, a GP or your school principal will need to assess you as a mature minor for you to be able to provide consent for yourself to seek counselling support. If you are not assessed as a mature minor under the age of 18, we will require parental consent. Please contact us to discuss further.

What is a mature minor?

Mature minors are young people under the age of 18 years who are deemed capable by a GP, psychologist or principal of seeking and obtaining health care for their particular issue. 

To give informed consent, a young person must be able to understand what treatment involves, what it is for, why it is needed and why it applies to them as an individual. The young person must also appreciate the risks associated with the treatment and be aware of the other options available, as well as the consequences of not pursuing treatment. 

Where can I access counselling?

Counselling can be offered in local Wyndham schools, youth centres such as the Youth Resource Centre and local community centres in Wyndham.

Counselling sessions are being delivered face to face. Counselling sessions are also delivered via telehealth upon request.

What if I don’t like it after one session?

That is perfectly fine. Our counselling team will understand. All you need to do is let them know that you do not wish to attend any future sessions. (This will prevent you from having to avoid their follow up calls in the weeks after.)

Can I ask to see a counsellor of a certain gender?

Yes, this is common. Please note this in your referral if you are self-referring or ask the person referring you to make a note of your preference.

Can I change my mind about counselling?

Yes, absolutely. We encourage you to keep communication open and let us know when you are ready. Counselling in completely voluntary.

Can I ask for a different counsellor?

Yes. You can request a different counsellor. We understand that you won’t always click with everyone and we want to make sure you are feeling comfortable in your sessions. Please communicate this as soon as possible and we will do our best to accommodate. 

Do I need to have regular sessions or can I have sessions as needed?

Sessions are scheduled either weekly or fortnightly. This is due to the number of young people accessing the counselling service and on the waitlist. For the counselling team to be able to support as many young people as possible in Wyndham they need to stick with scheduled sessions.

If I need more sessions what happens then?

If you are leading up to your final appointment and feeling like you require more support, you will need to discuss this with your counsellor. If it is agreed that more sessions will be beneficial, the counsellor will request approval from management to extend your sessions or they will support a referral for you to access longer term support.

​​Do I have to pay for counselling?

No. Counselling is free through Wyndham Youth Services.

Do I require a mental health plan?

No. All you need to do is completed a referral form.

What issues can I discuss with the counsellor?

You can discuss anything you like. The counsellors are there to support you with whatever issues are most pressing for you.

Some common examples of what young people may discuss with their counsellor are feeling anxious about school, social pressures or difficulties with friends, issues in the home such as family violence or family breakdown, difficulties managing strong emotions and so much more.

Is counselling available in languages other than English?

Upon request we can organise an interpreter to be present. Alternatively, the counselling team will support a referral to a service that can offer counselling in the specified language.

Can the counsellors provide support to guardians of young people?

Yes definitely. We encourage family inclusive practice where suitable and often find positive results when families are involved in the counselling process.

The counselling team also deliver family information sessions regularly throughout the year. These sessions cover topics that are relevant to common issues that young people are facing. These sessions intend to equip parents, carers and professionals with strategies to be able to assist their young people. Examples of what these sessions have covered in the past are responding to mental health concerns, communicating with teens, gaming, building resilience and whole lot more.

Immediate help

If you are feeling like you are unable to keep yourself safe, please contact any of the following services immediately:

Kidshelpline (for 5-25 year olds) 1800 55 1800
Lifeline (all ages) 13 11 14

If you are worried about unhealthy, abusive or violent behaviour in any of your relationships, you can contact 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or through online chat https://www.1800respect.org.au/

If you require help and support for family violence, are a family in need of support with the wellbeing and development of children or require parenting support you can contact The Orange Door Western Melbourne on 1800 271 045or in person at 15-17 Watton Street, Werribee 3030. For further information visit their website https://www.orangedoor.vic.gov.au/

If in immediate danger, please contact 000 for urgent support.

Work Integrated Learning (WIL) / Tertiary Student Placements

Have you thought about undertaking a placement at Wyndham City Council? Read on to find out how you can explore the world of Wyndham!

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