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This guide was proudly developed under a joint initiative project by students from

North Coast Institute of TAFE, TAREE in conjunction with the

Manning Valley Neighbourhood Services Inc.

Extra copies of this resource can be downloaded from Manning Valley Neighbourhood Services Inc.

website at: www.mvns.org.au

Prepared by:

Jennell Rolls

Lee Jones

Linton Pescud

In joint partnership with

North Coast Institute of TAFE, Taree

MANNING VALLEY COUNSELLING SERVICES GUIDE

2013

Manning Valley Neighbourhood Services Inc.

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Disclaimer

North Coast Institute of TAFE (TAREE) NSW

and Manning Valley Neighbourhood Services Inc. reserve the right to use and edit all

information supplied for inclusion in this Counselling Services Guide.

While we have made every attempt to provide

accurate, up-to-date details, we accept no responsibility for incorrect information

regarding services or information listed in this guide.

We hold no responsibility for information

outlining service descriptions as these were provided directly by each of the service providers for inclusion in this guide.

Users of the ‘Manning Valley Counselling

Service Guide 2010/2011’ should not take the inclusions of services information or contact

telephone numbers as an endorsement by: North Coast Institute of TAFE NSW

(TAREE Campus) or Manning Valley Neighbourhood Services Inc.

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Service: (TCHC) Alcohol and Other Drugs

Phone number: 1300 66 22 63 (Intake line)

Practitioners: Counsellors

Services Provided:

Assessment and counselling for those with drug and alcohol related problems and / or their significant others Service: (TCHC) Mental Health Phone number: 1800 011 511 (Intake line)

Practitioners: Counsellors Services Provided:

Crisis and ongoing counselling and support and coordination

Service: (TCHC) Sexual Assault

Practitioners: Social Worker, Counsellors

Services Provided:

Crisis and ongoing counselling and support, coordination of medical and forensic services, court preparation and support

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THE FOLLOWING SERVICES ARE PROVIDED BY THE HUNTER NEW ENGLAND AREA HEALTH SERVICE:

Cost for all TCHC services: Free

Name: Taree Community Health Centre (TCHC) Address: 64 Pulteney Street TAREE 2430

Office hours: 8:00 - 5:00 Mon - Fri

Phone number: 6592 9315

(See details below for Drug & Alcohol and Mental Health Services )

Service: (TCHC) Child, Adolescent & Family

Practitioners: Psychologist, Social Worker Services Provided: Work with individuals, families or small groups

Service: (TCHC) Child Protection

Practitioners: Psychologist, Social Worker

Services Provided: Service for children and their families where physical and/or emotional abuse, neglect or domestic violence has occurred.

(Please Note: Referrals to Child Protection Counselling Service via Community Services NSW only)

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Contents Everything you wanted to know about counselling:

What is Counselling? ---------------------------- 5

What is a Counsellor? --------------------------- 5

Counselling Qualifications ---------------------- 6 Other terms that might also be used include:

Psychotherapists ---------------------------------- 6

Therapists ------------------------------------------- 6

Clinical ----------------------------------------------- 6 Mental Health Professionals:

General practitioners ---------------------------- 7

Psychiatrists ---------------------------------------- 7

Psychologists -------------------------------------- 7

Social workers ------------------------------------- 8

Occupational Therapists ------------------------ 8/9 WHAT ARE THE COSTS? Concessions/Rebates ---------------------------- 9

Medicare -------------------------------------------- 9

Employee Assistance Program ---------------- 10

Department of Veteran Affairs ---------------- 10

Victims of Crime NSW ---------------------------- 10

**QUICK REFERENCE PULLOUT GUIDE (1)

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**PULLOUT GUIDE FOR CLIENTS (2) —Contents: Useful questions to consider when choosing

a Counsellor ------------------------------------------------ 1

About the Counsellor ------------------------------------- 2

About the process ----------------------------------------- 2

What are my rights? -------------------------------------- 2

What makes a good Counsellor? ---------------------- 3

Confidentiality --------------------------------------------- 3

What can I do if I have a problem with my

Counsellor? ------------------------------------------------- 3

Professional Bodies -------------------------------------- 4

SERVICE PROVIDERS: Catholic Care Child and Family Centre _________ 11

Clinical Psychology Solutions ___________________ 12

Intalink Therapy Solutions _____________________ 12

Interrelate Family Relationship Centre _______ 13

Taree Womens and Childrens Refuge _________ 13

Mayo Private Hospital __________________________ 14

Medisense Health Care __________________________ 14

Psychological Insight (Dr J Sjostedt) ___________ 15

Psychological Insight (R Bonsor) _______________ 15

Community Health Child and Family___________ 16

Community Health Child Protection ___________ 16

Community Health Alcohol and Other Drugs _ 17

Community Health Mental Health ______________ 17

Community Health Sexual Assault _____________ 17

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Name: Psychological Insight

(Dr John Sjostedt) Address: 96 Wynter Street TAREE 2430

Office hours: 9:00 - 5:00 Tues - Fri

Phone number: 6557 8505

Practitioners : Psychologist Services Provided: Counselling, psychotherapy and hypnotherapy for the treatment of depression, anxiety, panic attacks and trauma, work cover, forensic work; also work with drug and alcohol and relationship counselling. Cost: Fee for service, VCT, DVA, Medicare

Name: Rosalind Bonsor Address: Taree Office hours: 9.00 - 5:00 Mon, Tues, Thurs

Phone number: 6557 8505

Practitioners: Social Worker

Services Provided: Individual counselling to children, adolescents and adults using treatments such as cognitive behaviour therapy, brief solution focused therapy, narrative therapy and interpersonal therapy.

Cost: Fee for service, VCT, EAP, DVA, Medicare, Workcover

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Name: Mayo Private Hospital

Address: Potoroo Drive TAREE 2430 Office hours: 9:00- 5:00 Mon - Fri Phone number: 6552 0071

Practitioners: Psychiatrist, Psychologist, Clinical Psychologist, Social Worker, Mental Health Nurse Services Provided: Provide a range of inpatient and out patient treatment options, individual therapy and group therapy. Cost: Fee for service, VCT, DVA, Medicare, Worker Cover Name: Medisense Health Care Address: 134 Pulteney Street TAREE 2430 Office hours: 8:00 - 800Mon—Fri 8:00-5:00 Sat and 9:00-5:00 Sun Phone number: 6551 3111 Practitioners: Psychologist Services Provided: Therapies for depression, anxiety, stress, work issues, anger, bi-polar, panic disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder & Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Cost: Fee for service, VCT, DVA & Medicare

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Everything you wanted to know about counselling but never though to ask.

What is counselling? ‘Counselling’ as a term is probably a bit misleading. People often

assume that counselling is a very passive activity, and that when you

‘have counselling’ a wise person (the Counsellor) will give you lots of

advice on how to sort out all your problems and live a better life. In

reality counselling requires as much participation and action from you

as it does from the Counsellor. Contrary to what many people think,

the role of a Counsellor is not to give advice. Instead, they will help

you question the way you look at things, the way you behave and

react to situations or people, and can also help you develop new

strategies for dealing with your situation. They do this by getting to

know you, developing an understanding of your circumstances,

listening to what you have to say, and by offering support and insight.

Just having an independent, objective person to talk to at a set time

and place can be very helpful in working through the issues concern-

ing you.

What is a Counsellor? ‘Counsellor’ is a generalist term for people who provide psychological

support. Anyone can call themselves a ‘Counsellor’. Always ask your

counsellor about their qualifications and experience before you

employ them. It may be helpful for example, to find out if they are a

member of a professional association (see pull out guide for clients),

and whether their qualifications are widely recognised by other health

professionals.

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Counselling Qualifications There are a number of training programs and degree courses that offer counselling qualifications. Very few of these however are recognised by the government agencies that provide rebates and subsidies for counselling services (eg Medicare, Victims of Crime, and Department of Veteran Affairs). This means if you intend to see a counsellor privately under one of these programs, you will need to make sure that they are registered to provide counselling services by the appropriate government agencies. Similarly clients seeing a private Counsellor under private health insurance or worker’s compensation schemes will need to check that their Counsellor’s skills and qualifications are recognised by their insurer.

Other terms that might also be used, include: Psychotherapist ‘Psychotherapy’ refers to the treatment of mental distress or disorder using psychological treatments. It is a term that can be used interchangeably with ‘counselling’. Traditionally, a ‘psychotherapist’ engages in a much longer, more intensive and introspective form of counselling.

Therapist A therapist is someone who provides therapies or treatments, including psychological therapies.

Clinician A clinician is a health care professional (such as a doctor, nurse, psychologist) who specialises in the treatment of patients. The term also refers to a mental health clinician who provides psychological treatments to address mental health problems.

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Name: Interrelate Family Relationship Centre

Address: 146 Victoria Street TAREE 2430 Office hours: 9:00 - 5:00 Mon - Fri Counselling only 9:00-5:00 Thur and Fri Phone number: 6551 1200

Practitioners: Counsellor Services Provided: Counselling in the context of family relationships Cost: Fees may apply, EAP

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Name: Clinical Psychology Solutions Address: 90 Albert Street TAREE 2430 Office hours: 8:30 -5:30 Mon - Fri Phone number: 6552 4180

Practitioners: Clinical Psychologist, Psychologist Social Worker Services Provided: Individual, child, adolescent, adult, couple, family and workplace psychological counselling services. Cost: Fee for service, EAP, Medicare, DVA & Workcover Name: Intalink Therapy Solutions Address: 94 High Street TAREE 2430

Office hours: 8:30 - 5:00 Mon - Fri Phone number: 6551 0771

Practitioners: Clinical Psychologist, Psychologist, Occupational Therapist, Social Worker Services Provided: Counselling, therapy and mental health services for children, teens, adults & families. Paediatric assessments for infants, children and teens. Cost: Fee for service, EAP, DVA, Medicare & Worker cover

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Listed below are those occupations most commonly

recognised as Mental Health Professionals:

Doctors (GPs) Visiting your family doctor, also known as a general practitioner or GP, can be a good place to start. They may manage your mental health themselves or refer you to a psychiatrist, psychologist or social worker.

Psychiatrists Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialise in mental illnesses like depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Some psychiatrists may focus solely on conducting medical tests and prescribing and managing medication, while others have extensive training and experience in counselling. To see a psychiatrist you first need a referral from your GP.

Psychologists Psychologists specialise in the study of human behaviour. Psychologists apply their expertise using reliable and scientifically supported methods. Psychological therapies are widely used to treat individuals and families and can also be applied to groups and organisations.

Psychologists are regulated by the NSW Psychologists Registration Board. In order to register as a psychologist, they must complete a four year degree and then either a post-graduate internship (Registered Psychologist) or a Masters degree (Clinical Psychologist). (Source: Australian Psychological Society 2009).

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Social Workers Social workers are trained in individual counselling, family work, group work, community development, and advocacy. To qualify as a Social Worker, they must complete a four year undergraduate degree at an accredited tertiary institution.

Mental Health Social Workers have particular training and ex-perience in working with people with mental health issues. To register with Medicare they must be accredited to practise as Mental Health Social Workers by The Australian Association of Social Workers. (Source: Australian Association of Social Work, 2009 and Medicare Australia).

Occupational Therapists (OTs) in Mental Health Occupational therapy is a profession concerned with promoting health and well being through occupation. Occupational therapists who work in mental health specialise in assessing how an individual's mental illness impacts on their ability to function in their everyday occupations and roles. Occupational therapists work with their clients to develop and achieve personal goals. Occupational therapists can assist people to enhance their budgeting, social, interpersonal, time management and stress management skills. Occupational therapists complete a four year university degree, which includes studies in human biology and anatomy, social and behavioural science and occupational science.

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SERVICE PROVIDERS

Name: Catholic Care Child and Family Centre Address: 148 Victoria Street TAREE 2430 Office hours: 9:00 - 5:00 Monday and Tuesday Phone number: 6539 5900 Practitioners: Psychologist Services Provided: Counselling in the context of families, couples and individuals, grief and loss, depression, stress/anxiety, trauma, victims of violence, planning/goals and dealing with change Cost: Fee for service, EAP

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Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Government departments and some non-government organisations will subsidise the cost of counselling services for their employees. Talk to your employer or Human Resources Department for more information.

Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA) Subsidies toward counselling services are available to war veterans and their families. For more information http://www.dva.gov.au/Pages/home.aspx

Or call 1800 011 046

Victims of Crime NSW (VCT) Victims of violent crimes that have occurred in NSW may be eli-gible for free, face to face counselling through the Approved Counselling Scheme. For more information visit: http://www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/vs

Or call 1800 633 063

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Occupational Therapists (continued) To register with Medicare, OTs must be members of OT Australia and meet the Australian Competency Standards for Occupational Therapists in Mental Health. (Source: Australian Association of Occupational Therapists, 2009 and Medicare Australia).

WHAT ARE THE COSTS?

Private Counselling services can be expensive. How-ever, you may be able to access rebates and low cost or free counselling.

It is worth asking Counsellors in private practice if they have a concession rate. Some will charge on a sliding scale depending on your income and circumstances and can offer greatly reduced and affordable rates.

If you are experiencing a mental health issue and would like to seek the support of a professional, the following subsidies or rebates are available.

Medicare If you are experiencing a mental health issue like anxiety or depression, you may be eligible for Medicare rebates for up to 12 individual or group sessions per year with a Psychologist, Clinical Psychologist, Mental Health Social Worker or Mental Health Occupational Therapist. You will first need to get a referral from a GP, psychiatrist or paediatrician who will also work with you to create and monitor a Mental Health Care Plan. For more information talk to your GP.