Family violence counselling
Please note: This is not a crisis service. If you feel unsafe right now, please call emergency services on 000. You can also view this list of external support services.
A free therapeutic service for anyone aged 16 and over who is affected by family violence.
Everyone has the right to feel safe and free from abuse and violence in their relationships. If you’re affected by family violence, we’re here to help.
What is family violence?
Family violence is more than just physical assault. It also includes a range of power and control behaviours which may include:
- direct or indirect threats
- fear and intimidation
- sexual assault
- emotional and psychological torment
- financial control
- social isolation
- pet abuse and threats of harm
- monitoring and surveillance of movement and social life
- spiritual and religious abuse
- coercive control
- manipulative behaviours such as gaslighting (making you question your perception of reality)
- other behaviours that cause you to live in fear.
Family violence can affect anyone, from any community, and of any age, gender and sexual preference throughout Australia.
How can counselling help?
It can be hard to get support if you’re affected by family violence. You might have a range of feelings about your experiences or seeking help, including feeling anxious, nervous or uncertain.
Our service can help you to manage any psychological, emotional and/or physical impacts you might be experiencing. These can affect people who experience family violence, as well as those who witness it, and may happen straight away or after some time. Our counselling service is a pathway to safety, healing, and recovery.
We provide a safe, non-judgmental, confidential space to:
- talk about your experiences
- understand that the violence done to you is never your fault
- receive support, validation, and trauma-informed care
- get help to manage the impacts of family violence in your life
- rebuild your self-esteem
- learn about positive, respectful, safe and fulfilling relationships.
We can also work to identify and connect you with other supports that may be helpful to you.
Whether you’re currently experiencing family violence or have experienced it in the past, we’re here to support you.
What support is available?
We can provide up to 8 free sessions of specialist counselling for people of any gender who are currently or have previously been affected by family violence.
Sessions are available in-person at our centres in Kew and Cranbourne, or online via videoconferencing.
Who can attend?
We’re funded to provide this service for people aged 16 and over, with a connection to either the City of Boroondara, Shire of Cardinia, City of Casey, Greater Dandenong City, City of Manningham, City of Melbourne, City of Monash or City of Greater Shepparton.
If you are not from these areas, we can still support you through our general counselling services. While fees do apply for our general counselling services, we try to make them as affordable as possible and will discuss fees with you when you contact us.
Do I need a referral for this program?
You don't need a referral to access adult family violence counselling, and can self-refer into this program using the online form at the bottom of this page.
We also welcome warm referrals from other organisations, professionals and service providers where this will support clients. Please download and complete this referral form and return it to us via email.
Getting started
Please contact our Cranbourne Centre to find out how we can support you and your family. You can:
- send us an enquiry using the form below
- email [email protected]
- phone (03) 5990 1900.