Counselling

You may be referred to a family relationship centre, mediator or other professional practitioner if our counsellor assesses that your needs could be better met through their help.

Lutheran Care’s counselling service offers professional support from trained counsellors. Our counsellors are able to work with different aspects of a person’s experience, including emotional wellbeing, spirituality and relationships.

The service is open to people of all ages and backgrounds.

Counsellors listen to individuals, couples or families and invite them to share problems before they become crises. They offer genuine care and support when facing difficulties without taking over.

Services include:

• Personal counselling for issues such as personal concerns, crisis, depression, guilt, fear, anger, loss and grief, abuse and domestic violence
• Prepare/Enrich (preparation for marriage or commitment)
• Family and Relationships Services 
• Specialised Family Violence Services
• Marriage and relationship counselling
• Support through separation or divorce
• Assistance to families/parenting support

Lutheran Care’s Family and Relationships Services and Specialised Family Violence Services are funded through the Australian Government Department of Social Services.

Lutheran Care’s counselling services maintain confidentiality except where a mandatory reportable offence (e.g. child abuse) has been disclosed, or where there is a risk of harm
to yourself or another person.

As your counselling will be undertaken by a Family Counsellor, Sections 10A to 10E of the Family Law Act apply. This means that any communication made by you to your Family Counsellor may be confidential and will not be admissible in any Court except in certain extraordinary circumstances.

Lutheran Care participates in Government Information Sharing Guidelines for the benefit of the people it serves for the safety of those who are vulnerable and to avoid duplication of information. Except where legal requirements determine otherwise, participants in our service would provide consent before any information is shared.

Counsellors receive professional supervision to ensure high standards of service are maintained. The supervisor is strictly bound to maintain confidentiality. Names are not disclosed in supervisor/counsellor discussions.

You may access your records on request. Records are not protected against court subpoena.

1800 Respect is the national sexual assault and domestic family violence counselling service. You can call 1800 737 732 24 hours a day, seven days a week for support, counselling and advice. Everything is confidential.