Are you a local in Emerald?

Six free sessions a year at Fernlea Community House in Emerald on Thursdays and Fridays. Then $49.95 per session by telehealth.

Are you a local in Emerald?

The Community Mental Health Access Clinic (CMAC) is run by ATEC at Fernlea Community House in Emerald. It offers free, trauma-informed counselling for people in Emerald.

All our counselling is trauma-informed. Prefer online sessions? See low-cost telehealth counselling: $49.95 by Zoom with a supervised student counsellor. There is no Medicare or health fund rebate.

In person in Emerald
No GP referral needed
Thursdays and Fridays, 9:30am to 3pm
Confidential support

Available to all Cardinia Shire residents.

What we can help with

Stress, anxiety and overwhelm
Low mood and depression
Grief, loss and bereavement
Relationship and family concerns

We work with you in a respectful, practical way that fits your goals and day-to-day life. Our service is trauma-informed, so we put safety, choice, collaboration and clear expectations first.

Looking for other free support nearby? See our guide to free mental health services nearby.

How many sessions you can have

Free counselling
6 free sessions a year
Then $49.95 per session by telehealth.
For people in Emerald.
- 50-minute sessions
- In person at Fernlea Community House

How to book

Choose a time. Pick a Thursday or Friday time in the booking calendar on this page.
Fill in the form. Complete the short new client form and confirm you live in Emerald.
Come to Fernlea. Your confirmation arrives by email. Come to Fernlea Community House, Emerald, for your session.

Book a free session

Who you will see

Sessions are delivered by our counsellors and by members of our low-cost clinic team, who are supervised onsite by our lead counsellor.

Supervised member of our low-cost clinic team
A member of our low-cost clinic team is completing her Master of Professional Psychology. She brings warmth, curiosity and care to collaborative, safe therapeutic work.
Supervised member of our low-cost clinic team
A member of our low-cost clinic team is completing her Master of Professional Psychology. She brings empathy, creativity and a calm, person-centred presence.

Clinic and hours

Fernlea Community House
356-358 Belgrave-Gembrook Road, Emerald VIC 3782

Thursdays and Fridays, 9:30am to 3pm.

Book a free session Email us

Free counselling FAQs

Who can use the free counselling clinic?

The free clinic runs at Fernlea Community House in Emerald. Prefer online? Our low-cost telehealth counselling is $49.95 on Zoom.

How many free sessions can I have?

You can have 6 free sessions a year. Then $49.95 per session by telehealth.

Where and when is the clinic?

Fernlea Community House, 356-358 Belgrave-Gembrook Road, Emerald. The clinic runs on Thursdays and Fridays from 9:30am to 3pm.

Who will I see?

Sessions are with our counsellors and with members of our low-cost clinic team, who are supervised onsite by our lead counsellor. You can choose who you see in the booking calendar, or take the first available time.

Do I need a referral?

No. You don't need a GP referral or a mental health care plan. Book a time online.

What can counselling help with?

Stress, anxiety and overwhelm, low mood, grief and loss, and relationship and family concerns. If you are not sure whether we can help, email enquiries@atec.vic.edu.au.

Is it confidential?

Yes. ATEC follows the Australian Counselling Association code of ethics. Your information is only shared if the law requires it, for example if someone is at risk of harm.

Is the clinic a crisis service?

No. 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.

PO Box 1024, Berwick VIC 3806
enquiries@atec.vic.edu.au

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Are you a local in Emerald?