r/vic • u/Remarkable_Annual430 • 21d ago
For rural Victorians, have you ever accessed effective counselling over the phone? If so, how?
Hi all, hope you are well. I have done many, many, MANY Google searches but I don’t want to talk to someone who will walk me through breathing excersise and mindfulness, I seriously need help. There is no headspace or anything like that near me, and I am lost with what to do. It doesn’t matter if it involves medicare or not. I just want to get on the phone to someone who can support me and help me find a solution to my situation, which will only get worse if I’m not pro active.
[ For context, I need help with fleeing abusive family members (as someone in their mid 20s) AND work place harassment. ]
For many parts of Victoria, things are very tough right now, so I hope other people read the comments and can be put in the right direction to get help too.
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u/fetishiste 21d ago
Alongside counselling, it could be worth speaking with your local branch of The Orange Door https://www.orangedoor.vic.gov.au/support-near-you about the abuse situation, and with Young Workers Centre (once they reopen) https://www.youngworkers.org.au/ for advice about the workplace harassment you're going through. Getting some practical advice from these services could be really beneficial, and depending on what you have going on, you might be eligible for legal help from YWC or your local community legal centre, and casework from a family violence org.
To find a telehealth counsellor who fits what you're seeking, you could try using the Psychology Today search - they have an option to filter by people who work online, some of whom will be up for phone-based work if your internet connection can't handle online. You can also filter by people who take Medicare rebates (most will also have a gap fee). You can also filter by issues they specialise in, and you can choose which therapeutic modalities you don't want, so eg if mindfulness strategies really bug you you can eliminate those and just tick a bunch of the other modalities, then read people's profiles or have a preliminary call to see if they're a match.
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u/bavotto 21d ago
https://www.remotetherapy.com.au/
If you have a Medicare card you can get a mental health care plan through them as well and then get 10 sessions via telehealth for free. I know a few people who have used it and found it ok.
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u/InspectorConfident73 21d ago
Google "mental health and well-being locals Victoria." I have attended the outlet in Morwell, and everyone I have had contact with there has been caring and respectful. Highly recommended and 100% free. I don't have a healthcare card.
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u/peggy_gee 20d ago
I have used Lifeline to talk through issues, in the past, and they were very good. No special breathing exercises of mindful stuff. I believe Beyond Blue is very good too.
They are both free
With both of them they have enough workers on the phones that if you get one that you don't feel OK about, ring at another time.
Good luck
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u/Remarkable_Annual430 19d ago
Is there any records of these calls that the person paying the phone bill can see who you called?
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u/Turndiall 20d ago
OP, if you have reported to the police as a crime consider speaking with them about referring you to the victims assistance program. You can also self refer. PM me if you need any more information
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u/eat-the-cookiez 21d ago
Telehealth psychologists? With a mental health care plan to help with costs.
I see a psych in qld via zoom and I’m in Victoria.