Melbourne Counselling
Quick Links: Gamblers Help, Financial Counselling, Generalist Counselling, Community Education Program, Currawong Sexual Assault Counselling, Gambler's Help Self-Exclusion Support Service, 
Gambler's Help Venue Support Service,
Melbourne Counselling Services are a division of the Crossroads Network, based in the Melbourne CBD. All counselling services are free, confidential and provided by appropriately qualified staff. There is no need for referral to our services and interpreter services are also available if required.
The guiding principles of our counselling services are to:
- Help clients to achieve their goals
- Be supportive and responsive
- Respect cultural differences
- Minimise harm associated with potentially damaging behaviours
- Work as a team
Gambler's Help is a specialist counselling service for individuals, couples and families who are affected by gambling. Our problem gambling counsellors provide an opportunity to talk about issues or concerns in a safe, confidential and accepting environment.
Areas that may be explored in counselling include:
- How to manage gambling urges
- Issues that can underlie gambling problems such as anxiety, anger, boredom, loneliness, depression or relationship difficulties
- Beliefs about gambling such as the likelihood of winning, randomness, programming of poker machines
For further information or to make an appointment, call (03) 9653 3250.
Financial counsellors have expertise in debt recovery law. They help people who have debts to understand and exercise their rights and responsibilities in relation to their debts. The service is available to anyone who is experiencing financial difficulty, including people who have gambling-related debt.
For further information or to make an appointment, call (03) 9653 3250.
In addition to specialist services, we also offer a generalist counselling service for people who are not sure where to start or who want to discuss multiple or complex problems. Depending on the issues arising, a separate referral to another specialist counselling service may also prove to be helpful.
For further information or to make an appointment, call (03) 9653 3250.
Our Community Education Program provides education and information about gambling related issues, including:
- Education and information sessions to community groups and organisations
- Professional and peer education for health and community education organisations across the city
- Involvement at local community events to inform and educate city residents and visitors
- Access to resources relating to gambling issues
Currawong Sexual Assault Counselling
Currawong is a counselling service that supports young people (aged 13-25) who have been sexually assaulted at some time in their lives and who are connected to the North and West Metropolitan regions of Melbourne.
Survivors of sexual assault are usually left to deal with many difficult and confusing feelings. These can include painful memories, feelings of worthlessness, difficulties trusting others or a loss of hope for the future. Counselling can help you understand these feelings and break free from their negative impacts on your life.
We believe that:
- No-one ever deserves to be sexually assaulted
- We will respect your privacy and confidentiality
- You should be able to approach issues when you feel ready. Therefore there is no limit to the number of counselling sessions available.
- You are in control of your own counselling sessions and are always considered to be the expert on your own life
- Just as no two people are the same, no two experiences are the same. Therefore, we will respond to you as a unique individual
For further information or to make an appointment, call (03) 9653 3250 and ask to speak to the Currawong counsellor.
Gambler's Help Self-Exclusion Support Service
Gambler's Help Self-Exclusion Support Service is a specialist service for people joining the self-exclusion programs associated with hotels and clubs who have poker machines. Workers work closely with the gaming industry to provide
- Information about self-exclusion
- Support for people to help them maintain their decision about banning themselves from gambling
- Self-help information
- Referral to additional support services
- Referral to other self-exclusion programs - Crown, Betcare, online betting
- Support and referral for the familt of people on the self-exclusion program
For further information call (03) 9653 3250
Gambler's Help Venue Support Program
This three year program was launched in September 2010. Funded by the Department of Justice, it aims to to facilitate and support the ongoing development of responsible gambling practices and environments within the gaming industry, consistent with approved Responsible Gambling Codes of Conduct. The program also aims to build the capacity of staff within gaming venues to identify patrons exhibiting gambling behaviours that may be associated with problem gambling, and to provide support to relevant staff to respond appropriately to these patrons. Throughout Victoria each venue has been allocated a dedicated Venue Support Worker who will work in partnership with venue management and staff to deliver training and support services tailored to the individual needs of each venue and its staff.
For further information on the Venue Support Program please contact David Stephenson on (03) 9653 3298 or Louise Crowe on (03) 9653 3286
