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Counselling Services

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Important update: Roe Street Renovations

From 6 November 2023 until late February 2024, our Roe Street counselling rooms will be temporarily relocated while we upgrade our building.

You will still be able to access our counselling services via telehealth or in-person at our temporary location on James St, Northbridge.

Please note that while our counselling services are operating from temporary locations we can only accept card payments.

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SHQ offers an accessible and inclusive counselling service where sexual health, relationship and unintended pregnancy issues can be talked through in a safe, confidential and relaxed environment. Our counsellors are specialised in the area of sexual well-being, empathetic and non-judgemental.

Download the SHQ Counselling and Psychology Services flyer

Sexual health and wellbeing counselling covers a broad range of issues. Some of the issues that we talk with people about are listed below.  If you are unsure if what you are seeking help about fits with our service, please call us to discuss.

 

Unintended pregnancy

  • Have you discovered that you or your partner are pregnant and not sure what to do?
  • Are you considering termination of pregnancy (abortion), continuing with a pregnancy, or considering adoption? Would you like to understand more about your options or talk them through?
  • Have you had a termination (abortion) and feel it would be helpful to talk about your feelings?

More information about unintended pregnancy

 

Counselling for issues impacting upon sexual health and wellbeing

  • Have you received a positive sexually transmissible infection (STI) or blood borne virus (BBV) result?
  • Are you engaging in risky sexual behaviours and not sure why?
  • Do you want to know more about looking after yourself and others with safe sex?
  • Would you like to feel more comfortable talking about sex with your sexual partner/s?
  • Would you like to get better at setting boundaries or being more assertive in your sexual relationships?
  • Have you experienced a sexual assault or sexual abuse in the past, and think that it may still be affecting you?
  • Are you having problems or difficulties with sex? Are you worried about sexual functioning?
  • Are sexual worries or problems affecting your relationship?
  • Would you like to talk about your sexual orientation?
  • Are you confused or worried about your gender identity?
  • Do you have questions about sex and technology?
  • Are you thinking about becoming sexually active and want to talk it through?
  • Are you looking for some pointers around talking to young people about sex and sexuality?

At SHQ we offer individual counselling, couples counselling and family counselling. Sometimes it is important to come to counselling alone, and sometimes it can be helpful to bring your partner or a family member with you – you can discuss this with us when you make your appointment.

SHQ Counselling: Telehealth Information for Clients

SHQ Counselling and Psychology Service offers a range of telehealth appointments in addition to our face-to-face appointments. Telehealth is a convenient, safe and effective way of accessing counselling. Not all appointments are offered via telehealth, so we will discuss what option is best with you.

SHQ telehealth sessions are private and confidential and are offered by phone or videoconference. Appointment fees are in line with usual clinic fees and are discussed with you before your appointment.

Phone appointments: We will ring you at your appointment time using the secure clinic phone system. At the end of the consultation, your call will be transferred to reception for billing purposes.

Video appointments: We will send you a Teams meeting invite by email before the appointment. You will need good internet connection and a device with a microphone and speaker but don’t need to download any software prior to your appointment. At the end of the consultation, reception will call you to complete any billing.

Please note that clinic emails are not regularly monitored so if you need to contact us between sessions, please call 08 9228 3693 during office hours.

It is important to us that we provide telehealth services in a safe and evidence-based way. At the beginning of each session, we will check it is a good time for the session to go ahead and that there is a good phone or video connection in place.

  1. Find a quiet place for the session to take place. Find a comfortable place where you are unlikely to be disturbed and you can speak confidentially.
  2. Allow time for the session. If you share your home with children, partners, pets and/or housemates try to plan your sessions to avoid interruptions as best you can.
  3. Charge up. Make sure the device you will use is charged. For video sessions by computer have your phone charged and nearby in case there is a technical glitch, and we need to ring you.
  4. Set up videoconferencing. Many people find that looking at their own face during sessions is distracting. Many clients (and therapists!) choose the “hide self-view” option so you only see the other person. This can feel more natural and like being in a face-to-face session.
  5. Using headphones. This can be helpful to improve sound quality, reduce background noise and give you more privacy. Not everyone uses headphones or microphones so do whatever best suits you.
  6. Turn off notifications. It can be helpful to shut down programs that could compete with your device’s speakers or microphone e.g., Instagram, Netflix, iTunes, TikTok or other video-conferencing software.
  7. Allow time to set up. Arrive and settle in a few minutes before your sessions with things you might need. This could include a drink, tissues, paper, pen, and diary for planning appointments. Please be aware it may take a few minutes to get the link set up and start a video session.
  8. Technical hitches. If a videocall drops out, we will call you back either by phone or via the video conference. If necessary, we may continue the session by phone if that is ok with you.

Please let us know if you have any questions about telehealth services or you need any further assistance.

Download this information as a pdf flyer

Our team of counsellors and psychologists are experienced working with people with a diverse range of needs. We offer support to participants, their parents, carers, and other support people.

Frequent referral topics include:

  • Public and private concepts: this is the foundation to many topics, particularly, appropriate behaviours, protective education, sex, and consent.
  • Protective education: supporting personal safety, abuse interruption and prevention
  • Respectful relationships: supporting all aspects of developing and maintaining healthy relationships.
  • Consent
  • Sex and Sexuality
  • Puberty and Hygiene

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SHQ employs qualified and experienced counsellors, social workers and psychologists who are specialised in the areas of sexual health, wellbeing and unintended pregnancy. We offer a variety of different therapeutic approaches to fit the varying needs of our clients. Because we value quality in service delivery, we have a high commitment to ongoing professional learning and development. Staff are required to maintain up to date knowledge of current research and developments in the field of sexual health and therapy.

Your confidentiality and privacy are valued and respected at all times. SHQ adheres to the Privacy Act, and all of your information is treated with the utmost confidentiality. When you come to SHQ, we will provide you with a copy of our Privacy Statement, which explains fully how we deal with your confidential information. Your counsellor can discuss this further with you if you have any questions.

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