Counselling and family therapy, online or in Berwick
Counselling at ATEC, in short
ATEC offers trauma-informed counselling and family therapy for adults, young people aged 16 and over, and families. Sessions run on Zoom anywhere in Australia, or face to face in Berwick by arrangement. You don't need a GP referral, and sessions are Bupa claimable.
- Cost: a 50-minute Zoom session is $156.16 with our Lead Counsellor or $110 with our Counsellor Level 2, paid when you book.
- On a budget: low-cost counselling is $49.95 for 50 minutes on Zoom, open to anyone in Australia. Outside Victoria? See affordable online counselling across Australia.
- NDIS participants: ATEC is an NDIS-verified provider, with NDIS counselling at home across Casey, Cardinia and south-east Melbourne, or on Zoom.
- Live in Cardinia Shire? You may be eligible for free counselling at Fernlea Community House in Emerald.
- How to book: pick your counsellor and a time in the booking calendar on this page. For face to face sessions, email enquiries@atec.vic.edu.au.
Who we help
We work with adults, young people aged 16 and over, and families. You don't need a diagnosis or a GP referral, and you don't need to have it all worked out before your first session.
- Zoom sessions Australia-wide
- No GP referral needed
- Bupa claimable
- Book and pay online in minutes
Common reasons people come to us
- Anxiety and worry
- Stress and burnout
- Low mood
- Grief and loss
- Problems at work
- Feeling lost, stuck or unsure of your direction
- Big life changes
- Conflict or communication problems at home (family therapy)
Counselling is a practical, short-term way to get some clarity, try new tools and build resilience. If you are looking for a diagnosis, a psychologist or your GP is the right first step.
Choose the support that suits you
All ATEC counselling is trauma-informed. Pick the option that suits your budget and situation.
-
Lead Counsellor
$156.16
- Individual counselling for adults, 50 minutes by Zoom
- Family therapy for parents and children together, booked online
- Bupa claimable
- No GP referral needed
- Face to face in Berwick by email enquiry only
-
Counsellor Level 2
$110
- Individual counselling only, for ages 16 and over
- 50 minutes by Zoom, Australia-wide
- No GP referral needed
-
Low-cost telehealth
$49.95
- 50 minutes on Zoom, open to anyone in Australia
- A separate clinic with supervised provisional psychologists
- No GP referral needed
-
NDIS counselling
- For NDIS participants
- ATEC is an NDIS-verified provider
- At home, in the community or on Zoom, with home visits across Casey, Cardinia and south-east Melbourne
Meet your counsellors
-
Lead Counsellor
Our Lead Counsellor works with individuals and families. His approach is to work alongside you to find new strengths, challenge old patterns and build a steady, sustainable way forward. He sees clients on Zoom, and face to face in Berwick by arrangement.
-
Counsellor Level 2
Our Counsellor Level 2 offers client-centred, trauma-informed counselling for individuals aged 16 and over. She helps people with stress and anxiety, and draws on her yoga and meditation teaching to build resilience and wellbeing. She works mainly by Zoom, and also visits NDIS participants at home.
Family therapy with our Lead Counsellor
When home feels like a battleground, it can help to talk it through together. Our Lead Counsellor offers family therapy for parents and children together, on Zoom or face to face in Berwick. You can book family therapy online, and anyone under 18 needs a parent or guardian's consent in the new client form.
Face to face in Berwick
Prefer to meet in person? Our Lead Counsellor sees clients face to face in Berwick. Face to face sessions aren't booked online. Email enquiries@atec.vic.edu.au and we'll find a time.
How it works
- Book online. Pick your counsellor and a time in the booking calendar on this page. The first time you book, you fill in a short new client form (about a minute) and pay for the session.
- Your first session. We talk about what brought you here, explain how counselling works and go through some options for ongoing support.
- Keep going at your pace. Your counsellor may suggest how often to meet. You can book your next session yourself, or ask your counsellor to book it for you.
Zoom sessions need a phone, tablet or computer with internet, and a private space where you can talk. Cancel at least 48 hours ahead for a full refund.
What people say
"My counsellor was an absolute gem. Couldn't have asked for a better bloke to get the advice and information I needed to set things in a forward motion."
"He is very knowledgeable and has an inviting, warm approach, which allowed me to be open so that I could get the best assistance."
Ready to get started?
Book online in a few minutes, or email us to arrange a face to face session or ask a question first.
Counselling FAQs
How much does counselling cost?
An individual 50-minute session on Zoom costs $156.16 with our Lead Counsellor, or $110 with our Counsellor Level 2, paid when you book. Family therapy with our Lead Counsellor is also booked online. For face to face sessions in Berwick, email enquiries@atec.vic.edu.au. Cancel at least 48 hours ahead for a full refund. If cost is a barrier, see our low-cost counselling for $49.95, which is on Zoom and open to anyone in Australia.
Can I claim with Bupa or Medicare?
Counselling sessions are Bupa claimable. Check with Bupa what your cover includes. There is no Medicare rebate for these counselling sessions. NDIS participants can use their plan for NDIS counselling.
Do you offer family therapy?
Yes. Our Lead Counsellor offers family therapy for parents and children together, and you can book it online. To meet face to face in Berwick instead, email enquiries@atec.vic.edu.au. Our Counsellor Level 2 offers individual counselling only.
What ages do you see?
Our Counsellor Level 2 sees individuals aged 16 and over. Our Lead Counsellor works with adults and with families, including children in family therapy. Anyone under 18 needs a parent or guardian's consent, which you give in the new client form when you book.
How are sessions delivered?
Most sessions run on Zoom, so you can join from anywhere in Australia. Our Lead Counsellor also sees clients face to face in Berwick. These sessions aren't booked online, so email enquiries@atec.vic.edu.au to arrange one. Home visits are available for some clients, including NDIS participants, and separate charges may apply.
Is there low-cost or free counselling?
Yes, in two separate programs. Low-cost counselling is $49.95 for 50 minutes on Zoom with supervised provisional psychologists, and it is open to anyone in Australia. Free counselling is only for Cardinia Shire residents, at Fernlea Community House in Emerald.
Is a counsellor the same as a psychologist?
Not quite. Counsellors and psychologists often work hand in hand, and both offer talking therapy. Counselling is a practical, short-term way to get some clarity, try new tools and build resilience. If you are looking for a diagnosis, a psychologist or your GP is the right first step.
Is counselling confidential?
Yes. ATEC follows the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) Code of Ethics, which sets strict rules on confidentiality. Your counsellor will explain the few legal limits to confidentiality, such as a serious risk to someone's safety, in your first session.
Do I need a GP referral?
No. You don't need a GP referral or a mental health care plan. You can book directly online.
Is ATEC a crisis service?
No. If you or someone else is in danger, call 000 or go to your nearest emergency department. For 24/7 crisis support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
ATEC is not a crisis service. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 000 or go to your nearest emergency department.
For 24/7 crisis support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. More services are on our emergency contacts page.
ATEC is led by an ACA registered counsellor and is an NDIS-verified provider.
Australian Trauma Education Centre, PO Box 1024, Berwick VIC 3806. enquiries@atec.vic.edu.auBook a session
