The experience of mental illness and its impact can be profound.  For the person with an illness and for other family members the experience evokes a range of emotions.  Often every aspect of a person’s life is affected.  Relationships between the person with the mental illness and family and friends can change significantly. 

Everyone needs support to adjust to these changes.  Mental Illness Fellowship Victoria can provide that support. 

Our confidential counselling service is staffed by trained and skilled professionals who will treat you with empathy and respect.  

Counselling can also:

• Help clarify problems
• Provide a safe environment for the expression of your emotions
• Increase personal awareness
• Identify opportunities for change by building personal resources and a capacity to accept and value one’s self.
• Provide accurate, current information about mental illness
• Improve strategies for responding effectively to the people in your life
• Develop effective communication skills
• Provide, where necessary, referral to other services internally and externally.

Our counsellors

Our counsellors come from a variety of educational and therapeutic backgrounds including psychology, social work, nursing and gestalt therapy.  Collectively we have experience and interests in working with families, couples therapy, trauma and recovery, mindfulness-based therapy and group work, among other things. 

How to access our counselling services

Referrals are welcome directly from clients and from other service providers on behalf of clients.  Our receptionist will take details so your call can be returned.  You may be offered the opportunity to speak to someone on our Helpline.

Your first appointment will be an initial assessment and a referral to one of our counsellors for ongoing counselling is made from there.