Counselling

The ASRC Counselling program provides specialist pro bono counselling and mental health services for asylum seekers who are experiencing high levels of psychological distress. Our client’s stories are ones of unthinkable persecution, war, torture or trauma and the psychological / psychiatric problems range from mild to severe. We provide programs and services that help children, young people, adults and families develop opportunities for renewal, strengthening, building healthy relationships, and connectedness within their new communities.

What We Do

The ASRC Counselling Program attempts to alleviate some of the distress of asylum seekers who have suffered trauma, grief and loss. We provide an independent and flexible program which allows us to respond to the needs of asylum seekers as they arise. We operate as a fully integrated counselling service providing:

  • A general counselling program for long term counselling and assessment for individuals, children, couples and/or families
  • A psychiatric service for assessment and treatment, with pro bono psychiatrists coming during week days and to an out-of-hours clinic on Saturday mornings
  • Counselling and psychiatric report writing for legal services & funding applications
  • Counsellors assisting a Wednesday night legal support clinic for asylum seekers who meet with lawyers to tell their story or hear news about their application
  • A Kidszone and Teenzone program for children, young people and their parents, with monthly family fun days and an annual family camp (see photos)
  • Professional supervision and de-briefing services for all ASRC staff and volunteers
  • A training and development program for counselling and ASRC staff
Volunteer Pam Rycroft

Volunteer Pam Rycroft

Pam Rycroft is a highly regarded psychologist and family therapist. She says: "I reckon that I, along with my fantastic KidsZone team, have the best job, because we work really hard at having fun with kids and their families. I love watching parents enjoying their kids and being kids themselves, bowling, sailing, playing drums, or whatever. The connections are strong and it is very rewarding!"

Asylum seeker - Arivananthan (Andrew)

Asylum seeker - Arivananthan (Andrew)

"I would need to write a book to tell you all the best about my counsellor. I can share my personal problems and she offers practical help for my health condition, and helps find food and transport tickets. She even rings when I do not turn up for appointments if I have no tram ticket. She really cares about me and makes me happy."

Supporter - Dr Suresh Sundram

Dr Suresh Sundram, Psychiatrist Fellow at Northern Hospital and honorary Associate Professor at Mental Health Research Unit says: My association with the ASRC over the past six years has been immensely fulfilling. The people - asylum seekers, staff and volunteers have been a constant source of inspiration and satisfaction. This is despite the, at times, heart-breaking work that the psychologists, counsellors and psychiatrists have to do. Ultimately we hope to alleviate at least a little of the trauma, distress and suffering that asylum seekers have experienced and continue to experience and thereby help in some small way.