Counselling

NDIS Capacity Building support

Talking with a trained counsellor to work through difficult feelings, life changes or challenges, and to build coping strategies.

The short answer

Counselling is talking with a trained professional about difficult feelings, life changes or challenges, and building ways to cope. It is a private, respectful space to work things through at your own pace.

About Counselling

People come to counselling for many reasons: stress, grief, relationship difficulties, adjusting to a diagnosis or a change in circumstances, or simply wanting to understand themselves better. A counsellor listens without judgement, helps you make sense of what you are experiencing and works with you on practical strategies.

Approaches differ. Some counsellors focus on talking through experiences, others teach specific skills for managing thoughts, emotions or relationships. There is no single right method, and the most important factor in many studies is whether you feel comfortable and understood by the person you are working with.

Counselling is separate from other mental health supports such as psychology or psychiatry, although the boundaries can overlap. If you are unsure which is best for you, a GP or an experienced provider can help you decide, and you can change your approach as your needs change.

Who is this service for?

People who would like to talk with a trained professional about emotional difficulties, life changes or challenges and build ways of coping.

What a typical session looks like

A counselling session is a conversation in a private, comfortable setting, in person, by phone or online. At the first meeting the counsellor usually explains how they work, what is confidential and what the limits of confidentiality are, and asks what has brought you there and what you hope will change. You are not expected to have everything worked out.

Later sessions follow the pace you set. Some focus on a specific problem such as a difficult relationship, grief or adjusting to a diagnosis, while others explore patterns in thoughts and feelings and build practical ways of coping. Many counsellors suggest small things to try between sessions and check in about how they went.

Who delivers this support

Counsellors have a range of qualifications and backgrounds, and the profession is regulated in different ways depending on the title. Psychologists are registered with AHPRA, while many counsellors belong to professional associations that set training and ethical standards. It is reasonable to ask about qualifications, experience with disability or with your particular concern, and which professional body they belong to.

How to choose a provider

• Ask about the counsellor's qualifications and professional membership.
• Find out whether they have experience with the kind of concerns you have.
• Ask how sessions work, how long they are and how often people usually attend.
• Check how they handle privacy and what the limits of confidentiality are.
• Consider whether you feel comfortable, and feel free to try more than one counsellor.

Questions to ask a provider

• What is your training and which professional body are you a member of?
• Have you worked with people who have a disability or a situation like mine?
• What approach do you use, and how will we know whether it is helping?
• What is confidential, and when might you need to share information?
• Are sessions available in person, by phone and online?
• What happens if I need more urgent help between sessions?

Common mistakes to avoid

• Staying with a counsellor who does not feel like a good fit rather than trying someone else.
• Expecting quick answers when meaningful change usually takes time and effort.
• Not asking about qualifications or professional membership.
• Keeping quiet about medication or a mental health diagnosis that the counsellor should know about.
• Waiting until a crisis before seeking any support.

Getting started

1. Think about what you would like to get from counselling.
2. Contact a small number of counsellors and ask about their approach.
3. Book a first session and see how it feels.
4. Review after a few sessions whether it is helping and what to change.

How it fits with the rest of your plan

Counselling can sit alongside therapy, support coordination, psychosocial supports and the help of family and friends. It is one way of looking after emotional wellbeing, not a replacement for medical care, and if you are living with a mental health condition it is worth keeping your doctor informed. Some people use counselling for a defined period, others return when life becomes harder.

Eligibility

You can use NDIS funding for Counselling if it is included in your NDIS plan. The NDIS funds supports that are reasonable and necessary: they relate to your disability, help you pursue your goals and represent value for money. Not sure whether it is in your plan? Check your plan, or ask your planner, Local Area Coordinator or support coordinator. You can also arrange it privately.

Funding

Capacity Building supports help you build skills and independence. If Counselling is in your plan, it is normally paid from a Capacity Building budget. These budgets are usually set for particular types of support, so check which one your plan uses. Many NDIS supports have price limits, so ask providers for a quote and check it against the current NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits. Whether your plan is managed by the NDIA, by a plan manager or by you, ask for a written quote and a service agreement before you start. If your plan is plan-managed or self-managed you can use providers who are not registered with the NDIS. If it is NDIA-managed you generally need a registered provider.

What it costs

Supports such as Counselling that are funded by the NDIS are paid at rates that follow the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits, which the NDIA reviews regularly. Many items have a maximum price, and some prices are higher in remote areas. Before you start, ask for a written quote that lists each support, the hours and the price, and check it against the current NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits on the NDIS website. A provider may charge less than a limit. If you pay privately, the provider sets its own fees. Plan-managed and self-managed participants can also use providers who are not registered, and those providers set their own prices.

Therapy services providers on the NDIS register

10,460 NDIS providers list therapy services supports on the NDIS Commission register of registered providers. A register listing shows what the register says, not who has capacity.

Providers listing therapy services

• 00 Towards your Horizon - SA; includes Glenelg South, SA
• 1 Abbira Care Services - VIC; includes Fraser Rise, VIC
• 1 All Care - SA; includes Findon, SA
• 1 Care Connect - NSW; includes Manly, NSW; Rooty Hill, NSW; Rosehill, NSW
• 1 Disability Support Services - SA; includes Prospect, SA
• 1 Roof Therapy and Assessment - NSW; includes Caringbah, NSW
• 1 Stop Paediatric Services - SA; includes Mount Gambier, SA
• 1-Care - NSW; includes Lalor Park, NSW
• 10 Plus Care - VIC; includes Camberwell, VIC
• 101 Physio - VIC; includes Melton West, VIC
• 121 Therapy Australia - NSW; includes North Haven, NSW
• 122 Health - VIC; includes Warrnambool, VIC

See all 10,460 therapy services providers

Listings by state and territory

• New South Wales (3,918)
• Victoria (2,645)
• Queensland (2,122)
• South Australia (967)
• Western Australia (833)
• Tasmania (251)
• Australian Capital Territory (234)
• Northern Territory (155)

Suburbs with the most listings

• Brisbane, QLD (576)
• Melbourne, VIC (354)
• Sydney, NSW (338)
• Central Coast, NSW (262)
• Parramatta, NSW (198)
• Perth, WA (188)
• Adelaide, SA (186)
• Blacktown, NSW (180)
• Liverpool, NSW (168)
• Campbelltown, NSW (160)
• Ipswich, QLD (154)
• Canberra, ACT (153)

Listings covering the most areas

• Permalink Support Services - 503 areas
• Physihome - 316 areas
• Bayside Mobile Physio - 185 areas
• Aligned Assist - 184 areas
• Allied Horizon Disability Services - 154 areas
• Butter Fish Services - 143 areas
• Blooming Life Support Services - 140 areas
• Number 1 Care Provider - 134 areas

Checking credentials

• Check registration Search the NDIS Commission's register of registered providers to see whether a provider is registered and for which types of support. Plan-managed and self-managed participants can also use unregistered providers.
• Ask about worker screening Ask whether workers hold a current NDIS Worker Screening Check where their role requires one, and how the provider checks its workers' identity and qualifications.
• Get it in writing Ask for a written quote and a service agreement that describes the support, the prices, how to change or end it and how to make a complaint.

Regulation and safeguards

NDIS providers and their workers must follow the NDIS Code of Conduct, and registered providers are regulated by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.

• NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission Regulates NDIS providers and handles complaints about the quality and safety of NDIS supports. Phone: 1800 035 544.
• National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) Runs the NDIS. Contact them about your plan, your funding and eligibility. Phone: 1800 800 110.

Related services

• Daily living and life skills development
• Dietitian
• Early Childhood Intervention
• Employment assessment and counselling

Frequently asked questions

What happens in a counselling session?

You talk with a trained counsellor in a private, respectful setting. They listen, help you understand what you are experiencing and work with you on strategies that suit your situation.

How do I choose a counsellor?

Look at their qualifications, their experience with the kind of concerns you have, and whether you feel comfortable with them. It is fine to meet more than one before deciding.

Is counselling confidential?

Counsellors keep what you tell them private, with limited exceptions, for example where there is a serious risk of harm. A good counsellor explains this at the start.

How long does counselling take?

It varies. Some people find a few sessions enough, while others prefer longer-term support. Your counsellor can talk with you about what to expect.

Can I bring someone with me?

Often yes, depending on the counsellor and your needs. Ask when you book.

What if I feel worse after a session?

It is normal to feel emotional after difficult conversations. If it continues or worries you, tell your counsellor or another health professional.

What is the difference between a counsellor and a psychologist?

Psychologists complete extended university training and must be registered with AHPRA, and they can assess and treat a wide range of mental health conditions. Counsellors have a range of qualifications and focus on talking therapies. Both can help, and the right one depends on what you need.

Do I have to talk about painful things in counselling?

You set the pace. A good counsellor will not push you to share more than you are ready for, and will work with you to find a way that feels safe.

Can counselling be done online or by phone?

Yes, many counsellors offer both. Some people find it easier to talk from home, and it can also help if travelling is difficult.

Can I use my NDIS plan to pay for Counselling?

If Counselling is in your NDIS plan and is reasonable and necessary for you, then yes. Check with your planner, Local Area Coordinator or support coordinator. You can also arrange it privately.

How do I find a Counselling provider near me?

Browse providers on SolDirectory, or send a free enquiry with your location and what you need and suitable providers will review it. Then ask each one about availability, a quote and a service agreement before you decide. Details come from providers and registers, so confirm them directly.

Sources and further reading

• NDIS: how the NDIS works, plans and price limits
• NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission: find a registered provider, make a complaint

Browse the NDIS and aged care provider directory