Counselling
Counselling can assist you to recover from the emotional effects of a crime. Victims of crime who have received counselling made these comments:
"Finally I was able to talk to someone who is not biased."
"You can learn and feel so much better when you have someone to talk to about it or just to sit and listen."
“With counselling, I realised how much my partner and children were affected as well.”
There are several ways you may be able to get counselling:
Approved Counselling Scheme
If the crime involved violence, and happened in New South Wales, you may be eligible to apply for counselling under the Approved Counselling Scheme. The Victims Services website can give you more information about eligibility and applying for counselling.
Other Options for Support
If you are not eligible to apply for approved counselling or your application is refused, you can discuss other options for counselling by calling the Victims Support Line on (02) 8688 5400 or 1800 633 063 (toll free) or on TTY (02) 8688 5575 (for callers with a hearing impairment). For an interpreter you may call the Telephone Interpreting Service on TIS 131 450.
Community Health Centres are located throughout NSW and provide many services including counselling, stress management and mental health services. To locate your nearest Community Health Centre visit the NSW Department of Health website and choose "Community Health Services" in the drop down list for Select a Service Type; followed underneath by choosing a location convenient for you.
Medicare
You may be eligible for assistance through the Federal Government’s initiative known as Better Access to Psychiatrists, Psychologists and GPs through the Medicare Benefits Schedule. This new initiative provides access for up to 12 services per calendar year and includes psychological assessment and therapy provided by eligible professionals. More detailed information on this initiative is available at www.health.gov.au or by calling Medicare Australia on 132 011.
Further Information
The following pages also have contact details for counselling providers in specialised areas:
|
