Counselling/Psychologists

Hi there,

I've been thinking about getting some counselling to help with all the stuff in my head but its so expensive... is there a way to get cheaper treatment that I've missed? My health insurance will refund $700 worth of visits which is great, but thats only 5 sessions or so and that doesn't seen enough!!

cheers

Hey Kiwimel,

There are a number of cheaper options for counselling.

Wellington Peoples Centre
385 8596
Lukes Lane, Wgtn
$35 a session or if you become a member of the centre ($10 a month) $5 a session

Wellington Womens Collective
Level 4, 84 Willis Street
499 7709

Wesley Counselling Service
384 7694

Salvation Army

See if you can get a hold of Kites Directory : Mental Health & Addiction Services Wellington from your doctor or from Kites.

All the best

Roswell

Cheers!
I knew there must have been something I was missing I'll have a look at those.

Does anyone know of anything in Auckland?

if you earn less than a certain amount, or on a benefit, you can get disability allowance to cover $50 a week I think

lil_miss_haley
theres a place in Orewa called "Rosa Trust" they charge $70 an hour I think. Even less for children. Tel. 09 427 8111

Wow it seems crazy that councelling is sooo expensive-I had a couple of sessions years ago ,it was really helpful-I should have more but the cost just blows it out of the water.
Anyone know of some cheap options in Hamilton.I might phone the Salvation army too-they seem like a good organisation.

Oi!

If you lot have info on places to go for help, support or whatever, could you please check our 'Help' section on the home page, n if 'your' places are not already mentioned, would you please add them there as well?

That saves me from doing it, then! Good on you all for sharing this information, by the way. You guys rock!

We know Pat, we know

Oh, and you rock too!!

You can definitely get up to $54 a week from WINZ if you apply for disability. Talk to your GP about how it will help your illness first and they can fill in the forms. Some Gps' have the forms already or you can pick one up from your local WINZ. You need to keep receipts to prove that is what you are using the money for. Most individual private counselling these days begins at $70-80, so it means you may have to pay some yourself if you need to go weekly.

http://www.workandincome.govt.nz/individuals/a-z-benefits/disability-allowance.html#Whocangetit1

Try ringing around counsellors in your area first, to get an idea how busy they are, how fast they get back to you, what they charge, what sort of therapy they do and what particular issues they specialise in. Dont waste your time if they don't get back to you.

You can also get referred to your community mental health service where you shoud be able to see a psychologist /get counselling. (If you don't get help there try elsewhere- they are not the be all and end all).

Many churches such as salvation army, methodist provide counselling/group support services to meet different needs such as parenting, self esteem, grief issues etc. Usually they cost very little or are free. I'm not religious but have found a lot of help this way.

I do not think a good listening ear should have to cost too much or be inaccessible in other ways.

ACC provide counselling for 'sensitive issues' - some counsellors charge a surcharge - possibly most do - I have in the past refused to pay a higher surcharge - it's the principle of the thing - it's one of the questions I ask of a counsellor, about a surcharge - the last woman I went to didn't charge - I believe they're well paid enough - and I firmly believe that as I didn't cause the problem, why should I pay even more, the loss of income (for me) can't be calculated.

IN OZ,
the rulez recently changed.
You can have twelve sessions a year with a clinical psychologist with a right of renewal
for Nothing if youre on a Benefit!

Finding a good one is a MUST!
Shop around,Its important to go with someone you trust.
As you may know,trust is a BIG-ISSUE for ppl that have been used abused and thrown aside.

Someone with practical techniques and skilled in hypnosis is good also,as in Hypnosis
you can learn more quickly,the things that need to be taken-in!
Post hypnotic suggestion is very effective and can prepare you for Great Work
the Next time around.

Main thing is to check-out your therapist!
Mine is the best by far!lol