Students offer free counselling

Final-year UniSC Counselling students, supervised by experienced professionals, have opened a free clinic providing therapeutic services in the Moreton Bay region.

The University of the Sunshine Coast’s new Community Counselling Clinic opened last month at its Petrie campus.

It has free consultations on Fridays for children and adults experiencing a range of concerns.

Clinical Educator Kelly Thomson said issues could include anxiety, depression, stress, life adjustments, grief and bereavement, relationship issues, alcohol and drug misuse, parenting or anger management.

“This will benefit people who cannot access fee-based counselling interventions because of the financial cost,” she said.

“It is a valuable opportunity for third-year Counselling interns who are trained in providing person-centred, strengths-based sessions as part of the nationally accredited counselling programs.

“They may also refer people to other services as required.”

Ms Thomson said the student counsellors would be closely supervised during the sessions by clinicians with decades of experience.

“Self-referrals and referrals from community agencies will be accepted but we anticipate very high public demand so places are limited,” she said.

A similar practice-based research and teaching centre already serves the Sunshine Coast community at the University’s Sippy Downs campus.

For information call (07) 5430 1289 or go to https://www.usc.edu.au/community/unisc-clinics/unisc-community-counselling-clinic