Our counsellors are professionally trained in psychology, social work, counselling, family or psychotherapy. They are sensitive to the needs of people living with HIV and members of our LGBTIQ+ communities. All counsellors are bound by a code of practice, ethical frameworks, privacy, confidentiality and duty of care policies.
Mental Health
Counselling
Thorne Harbour Health's Counselling Service offers free specialist counselling to our LGBTIQ+ communities and people living with HIV.
Counselling involves talking in a confidential, non-judgmental, supportive and respectful environment. The counsellor will support you work through issues with increased awareness and understanding. It can help you develop greater self-acceptance, awareness, and make life changes and decisions.
Our Counselling team supports people of all ages and identities with a range of issues, including:
- New or recent HIV diagnosis
- Anxiety and depression
- Sexual Assault
- Living with HIV
- Gender identity
- Coming out
- Living with HEP C
- HIV and relationships
- LGBTIQ intimate partner & family violence
- Self-esteem
- Grief and loss
- HIV positive friends, family members or partners
- Relationship issues
- Safer sex, PrEP and PEP
- Sexual assault
OUR COUNSELLORS
COSTS AND LOCATIONS
Counselling appointments are currently provided free of charge.
On-site appointments are available at 200 Hoddle St in Abbotsford and the Victorian Pride Centre in St Kilda. Telehealth appointments (via Zoom or phone) are also available.
BRIEF & COLLABORATIVE COUNSELLING
Brief & Collaborative Counselling is a short-term counselling service, up to 3 sessions. It is based on Single Session Therapy (SST), which is an evidence-informed, person-centred framework intended to help you manage your most immediate concerns or goals. You and your counsellor work together on strategies for support and change.
At the beginning of your first session, your counsellor will guide you through a questionnaire. This will assist you to reflect and for your counsellor to find out more about your goals for the session. Sessions are scheduled for up to 90 minutes. At the end of your first session, your counsellor will arrange a follow-up phone call to see how you’re going and discuss options for further support.
ACCESSIBLE PSYCHOLOGICAL INTERVENTIONS (API) AND TARGETED PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT SERVICE (TPS)
If you live or work in City of Port Phillip, City of Stonnington or Northwest Melbourne, you may be able to access Medicare-funded counselling at Thorne Harbour Health.
In order to access API (Port Phillip and Stonnington) or TPS (Northwest Melbourne), please speak to your GP about a referral to Thorne Harbour Health.
You can also call our Duty Worker to discuss further 9AM-5PM Monday-Friday.
Phone: (03) 9865 6700 or 1800 134 840 (free call for country callers).
APPOINTMENTS
Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9AM – 5PM
Tuesday, Thursday 9AM – 8PM
If you would like to book in for an appointment or discuss services that may be relevant to you, call our Duty Worker 9AM-5PM Monday-Friday.
Phone: (03) 9865 6700 or 1800 134 840 (free call for country callers).
If we are unable to answer your call, we will get back to you within the next working day.
In case you are unable to speak to us and you are in crisis please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Rainbow Door