Family Counselling

Every member of a family can find comfort, love, and security through their relationships. Children, adolescents, and adults can feel a fulfilling sense of belonging when their families are stable and happy.

About Family Counselling

The members of the family can, however, face challenges and difficulties when changes occur within or outside the family. Families are made up of individuals with different personalities, opinions, and perspectives, which can lead to conflict.

In family counselling, family members are able to express themselves freely, identify and explore issues, and set achievable goals together. With their advanced training, our family counsellors are capable of addressing a multitude of family concerns and can work with all family members individually or together. Individuals can also receive counselling if they need a nonjudgmental, confidential space to explore and address their own concerns and issues.

Many major life transitions and events may adversely affect families. The following are some of the most common reasons our clients seek family counselling:

  • Issues related to blended families and step families
  • Differences in culture
  • A family member’s death
  • Adolescents and children with emotional and behavioural problems
  • Use of drugs and alcohol by family members
  • Conflicts and disputes within the family
  • Financial stress and family violence
  • Having a family member with an illness or disability
  • Loss of employment
  • Mental health problems such as depression or anxiety
  • Concerns about parenting
  • Divorce and separation
  • Resolving trauma

A BHN family counsellor can also refer families to local support services and resources. For more information, please see groups.

Accessing Family Counselling

There are family counsellors available at Prahran, Chelsea, Parkdale, Bentleigh East, St Kilda, and South Melbourne from Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm.

Cost

Please phone 132 246 (132 BHN) to find out the cost for this service.  Lower-cost fees apply for Healthcare and Pension Card holders.


Contact

If you would like more information about Family Counselling or wish to make a referral, please contact the Intake and Referral Service.

132 246 (132 BHN)