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Counselling services

Our counselling services support individuals facing emotional challenges across the Bass Coast region

Our counselling services provide a safe, confidential space where you can talk about what’s happening in your life and get support. We work alongside you to build understanding, strengthen coping skills, and help you move forward in a way that feels right for you.

What we do

Our counselling team includes counsellors, social workers and psychologists who are here to support you in making positive changes in your life. We work with you to understand what you want to achieve and help you find ways to manage problems using your own strengths and resources.

Your counsellor won't judge you, tell you what to do, or make decisions for you. Instead, they will support you to understand your situation and choose the path that feels right for you.

Who can use the service?

People aged six and above who live in the Bass Coast and South Gippsland area and who may not be able to access private counselling services.

What we offer

General counselling: Provides support to people in the community or hospital who are experiencing emotional and psychological problems. Support provided can cover issues related to grief and loss, and management of anxiety, depression and other challenges across the lifespan.

Youth counselling: Counselling for those 12-25 years of age in Bass Coast Shire and South Gippsland Shire. Counselling can be provided at secondary schools, youth access clinics or all site offices.

Family violence counselling: Counselling, support and information to children and adults who are experiencing or have experienced family violence. Family violence may be physical, psychological, financial, sexual or emotional in nature and may be perpetrated by current or ex-partners, adolescent children, parents and siblings.

Sexual assault counselling and support program: Provides counselling, information and support. The service is available to children and adults who are survivors of sexual assault.

Children receive counselling together with a safe parent or caregiver to help make the support more effective.

Support is also available to non-offending family members, partners and friends.

How to access this service

Referral to this service can be made by your general practitioner (GP), another medical specialist or a healthcare professional, as well as hospital-based staff in the emergency department, inpatient wards and other areas of the hospital.

Referrals can be made via the telephone, email, fax or post as follows.

Phone: (03) 5671 3175
Email: access@basscoasthealth.com.au
Fax: (03) 9102 5307
Address: Access Team, P.O. Box 120, Wonthaggi, Vic, 3995

We will contact you within clinically recommended timeframes. If there’s no waiting list, you’ll receive an appointment booking letter or we’ll call to arrange a convenient time.

Clinically recommended guidance and resources for Health Professionals in the Gippsland region are available through Gippsland Pathways.

More information

Counselling is free of charge and offered within the Bass Coast region. Counsellors can see clients in Wontaggi or Cowes.

For counselling or more information please contact our Access Team:

Where: Wonthaggi Hospital or Philip Island Community Hospital
When: Monday to Friday 9:00am — 5:00pm
Phone: (03) 5671 3175
Email: access@basscoasthealth.org.au

Wonthaggi Hospital
Address

235 Graham St
Wonthaggi VIC 3995

Phillip Island Community Hospital
Address

50 – 56 Church St
Cowes VIC VIC 3922

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