Counselling services

Counselling is a type of talking therapy that allows a person to talk about their problems and feelings in a confidential and helping environment.

Counsellors are trained to listen, help you deal with any negative thoughts and feelings, and work collaboratively to overcome issues that are causing emotional pain or making you feel uncomfortable. Counsellors may draw on a range of different resources in the process.

Counselling differs from therapy/psychotherapy, in that it is usually shorter-term, deals with more practical and immediate issues, and focuses on finding solutions, both practical and emotional for a current situation. Psychotherapy tends to be longer, involve a more in-depth analysis of your personality and situation, and seeks to provide a more profound shift in life perspective.

Counselling is delivered by different professionals. We have both social workers and psychologists in our team who are experienced counsellors.

Students typically present to the service by using the online booking form. 

Having received the booking request, one of our duty counsellors will then try (within 1-3 days) to get in contact with you via phone to speak to you about your issue. 

Sometimes the problem can be resolved during that initial contact. Other times, the counsellor might suggest booking in for a counselling appointment, or they might refer to you a service better suited to your situation. 

For students who are booked in for a counselling appointment, during the counselling session, you'll be encouraged to share what is troubling you, one-on-one with one of our counsellors, either face-to-face or over the phone/Skype. You may be asked to describe a difficult situation, or difficult thoughts and feelings you are struggling with. By discussing your concerns with you, the counsellor can help you gain a better understanding of the situation, of your thoughts and feelings, as well as helping you identify some potential solutions.

It is common to require only a few counselling sessions in order to come up with a plan to resolve the issues that are troubling you. If more sessions are required, your counsellor will let you know. Flinders students can access up to 6 sessions per year. 

Counselling sessions can range in length from short 15 minute phone calls, to the more typical hour-long face-to-face appointment.

Here at the counselling service, we are mindful that some students may be cautious about seeking help because of fears of overt or subtle discrimination. This includes LGBTIQA students, indigenous students, culturally and linguistically diverse students, students of faith, students on the autism spectrum and students with mental illness or disability. 

Our goal is to make the counselling service a safe space for everyone. To this end, we have undertaken a number of service changes in order to ensure that students from diverse backgrounds feel welcome.

• All of our counsellors have done LGBTIQA awareness training
• Many of our staff are listed as members of the Ally Network
• We have close ties to Yunggorendi, including a shared counselling/ Indigenous support role
• Oasis, which is managed by Health, Counselling and Disability Services has chaplains available for students seeking support around their faith and spirituality
• Recently our counsellors did training with Autism SA on better supporting the needs of students on the autism spectrum
• Our counsellors have qualifications in psychology and social work and are highly experienced in a broad range of areas including mental health, education, cross-cultural counselling, disability, sexual diversity, drug and alcohol, trauma, sexual assault/harassment and family and relationship issues
• Our handouts include services for students from diverse backgrounds

We want all students to feel comfortable seeking help and support from the counselling service. If you are needing support but unsire about whether the counselling service will be appropriate, please contact our intake workers.

Lifeline - 13 11 14 - - crisis support and suicide prevention - available 24/7

Suicide call back service - 1300 659 467 - counselling for people affected by suicide

Beyondblue - 1300 22 4636 - support, advice, action - available 24/7

Mental Health Emergency Triage Service - 13 14 65

National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service - 1800 737 732 - counselling, information and support - available 24/7

Domestic Violence Crisis Service - 1300 782 200 - available 24/7

Crisis Care - 13 16 11 - Monday to Friday 4.00pm to 9.00pm, 24 hours on weekends and public holidays

Family Drug Support - 1300 368 186 - Supporting families affected by alcohol and other drugs - available 24/7

Kids Helpline - 1800 55 1800 - support for 13-25 year olds - available 24/7

Mensline - 1300 78 99 78 - support for men, anywhere, any time - available 24/7

Headspace - 1800 650 890 - support for 12-25 year olds - available 24/7

We've still got you covered:

Flinders University provides all students with counselling services available through Health, Counselling and Disability, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Call 8201 2118 to make an appointment or email counselling@flinders.edu.au at any time and a counsellor will contact you within the next business day.

For those students studying or working remotely, we have face-to-face options in most regional areas and remember that counselling appointments can be conducted via telephone or Skype as well. When the counsellor contacts you talk with them about your options.   

Flinders University also provides all students with dedicated crisis counselling support after-hours, on weekends and on public holidays. This service can be contacted by phone on 1300 512 409 or by text on 0488 884 103.

Students studying remotely might also find the following services useful:

• In the Northern Territory (Alice, Darwin, Katherine), contact EASA Counselling Services on 1800 193 123.

• BUSH SUPPORT SERVICES 1800 805 391 Bush Support Services is a 24-hour confidential telephone support and debriefing service for multi-disciplinary remote and rural health practitioners and their families. It is staffed by qualified psychologists with remote and cross-cultural experience, is toll free and available from anywhere in Australia. For more information https://crana.org.au/support.

• SA Regional Access 24/7 https://saregionalaccess.org.au/ At this link there is information about SA Regional Access, a 24 hour 7 day a week telehealth online counselling service that offers free professional and online counselling for anyone who live or works in regional, rural or remote South Australia or have a rural connection. You do not require a medical referral to initiate contact. This means you can access free professional counselling anywhere, at a time that is convenient to you. 

• For Doctors and Medical Students – Doctors and medical students around Australia now have access to free, confidential telehealth mental health services through the new Drs4Drs Support Service. To access this service call 1300 374 377 (1300 DR4 DRS) or visit Drs4Drs.com.au. 

Refer to our privacy page for how we handle your confidential information.