What counselling is

Counselling is a space where you can talk with a psychologist about things that are going on for you. This might include thoughts, feelings, worries, relationships, school, family, or anything else that feels important.

Your psychologist’s job is to listen, help you understand what’s happening for you, and support you to feel safer, stronger or more confident over time.

Who the counselling is for

You are the client.
This means the counselling is mainly for you and your wellbeing.

Parents or carers are important people in your life and may be involved sometimes, but your psychologist’s main responsibility is to you.

Your choice and your voice

You have a say in:

• what you talk about,
• what you don’t want to talk about yet, and
• what feels helpful or not helpful.

You can ask questions at any time, and it’s okay to say if something doesn’t make sense or doesn’t feel right.

Privacy and confidentiality

What you talk about with your psychologist is private. This means they don’t usually tell other people what you say.

There are some important exceptions:

• if your psychologist is worried about your safety or someone else’s safety,
• if the law says they must share information, or
• if you agree that something can be shared (for example, with a parent, doctor or school).

If your psychologist needs to share information, they will try to talk with you about it first, whenever possible.

Parents and carers

Sometimes your parent or carer might:

• join part of a session, or
• have a session on their own to learn how to support you.

Even if this happens, you are still the client, and notes are kept in your file, not your parent’s.

Your psychologist will think carefully about what information is shared and what is kept private, based on your age, understanding, safety and what’s best for you.

If your parents are separated

If your parents are separated, your psychologist has to follow the law and think about what is best for you.
They will talk with the adults involved if needed, but their main focus stays on your wellbeing.

Seeing your psychologist outside sessions

Because psychologists live and work in the community, you might see your psychologist at the shops, school events or somewhere else.

To protect your privacy:

• your psychologist won’t say hello first or tell anyone you’re a client,
• if you say hello, they’ll keep it short and friendly, and
• they won’t talk about counselling outside sessions.

This is to help keep things safe and private for you.

Telehealth (online sessions)

Sometimes sessions might happen online instead of in the room.

This can be helpful, but:

• it might feel different to face-to-face sessions, and
• sometimes technology doesn’t work perfectly.

It’s important that you’re in a private space where others can’t hear you during online sessions.

How counselling can feel

Counselling can be helpful, but it’s not always easy.

Sometimes talking about things can bring up big feelings, or things might feel harder before they feel better. That’s normal, and you don’t have to go through it alone.

You can always tell your psychologist how things are feeling for you.

If you need urgent help

ConnectEd is not an emergency service.

If you feel unsafe or need urgent help:

• call 000, or
• talk to a trusted adult, or
• call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Giving feedback or raising concerns

If you’re unhappy, uncomfortable, or worried about something:

• you can talk to your psychologist, or
• ask a parent or carer to help you raise it.

You won’t get in trouble for speaking up. Your feelings matter.

Remember

• This counselling is for you.
• You have the right to be treated with respect.
• You can ask questions at any time.
• You don’t have to do this alone.