Start here

  • Ask about the clinician’s experience, total cost and wait time.
  • If you would rather start online, compare a clinician conversation with a peer support service.
This guide is general information and has not been clinically reviewed. A qualified health professional can help you apply information to your situation.

You can start without a label

Counselling is a place to talk through difficulties and work towards changes with a trained professional. People seek it for many reasons, including relationships, stress, grief, identity questions and problems that are hard to name. You do not need a polished story. "Something is not working and I want help figuring it out" is a reasonable starting point. Counselling providers have different qualifications, approaches and areas of experience, so the word alone does not tell you exactly what a service offers. It is sensible to ask questions before you make an appointment.

Check the practical fit

Think about the kind of access you need. Can you travel there after school? Is video or phone easier? Do you need an interpreter, step-free access, a quiet waiting area or someone experienced with your cultural background? Ask the provider directly rather than assuming a general statement about inclusion covers your needs. Costs also vary. Ask the full session fee, whether any concession or rebate applies to your situation, cancellation charges and what happens if you cannot afford follow-up sessions. Not all counselling attracts a Medicare rebate. A GP can help discuss suitable referral pathways where relevant.

Understand privacy before sharing details

Ask, "What stays private, what are the exceptions, and who can see my records?" If you are under 18, discuss how the service handles your age, decision-making capacity, parent involvement and safety concerns. Avoid relying on a friend's experience because services and circumstances differ. You can also ask about appointment reminders, billing descriptions and whether a message might be sent to a shared phone or email account. Where possible, arrange a contact method you can access safely. A clear explanation should help you understand your choices, not make you feel difficult for asking.

Set a useful first goal

Your goal can be concrete and modest: sleep without spending an hour worrying, manage a conflict, attend a class you have been avoiding or understand why your mood has changed. You may revise it once you begin. Bring a few examples of what happens in daily life and anything you have already tried. You do not need to reveal every painful detail in the first meeting. It is okay to say a topic is hard to discuss and ask how the counsellor would approach it. You can ask what working together might involve and how progress will be reviewed.

Compare options without endless searching

If you have several leads, pick the two or three you could realistically access and ask each the same questions. For example: 'Do you work with people my age, what is the likely wait, and what will I pay?' Write the answers in one place. A directory profile can help you narrow the list, but a brief call or email may reveal more about access and fit. If you are already having difficulty making calls, ask a trusted person to help shortlist options or make the first enquiry with your permission.

Review whether it is helping

After a few sessions, consider whether you feel heard, understand the plan and can ask questions. Progress can be uneven, and an uncomfortable conversation is not automatically a sign that the relationship is wrong. Still, you are allowed to raise concerns, request changes or seek another provider. You might say, "I need more practical steps between sessions" or "I do not feel this example reflects my culture." If you are waiting for an appointment, ask the service what interim support is available. Counselling is one possible form of support; a professional assessment may identify other needs alongside it.

Compare options you can use

If in-person appointments are hard to reach, look at eheadspace’s online and phone options. ReachOut PeerChat offers text-based peer support for eligible people aged 16 to 25. The roles are different: a peer worker draws on lived experience, while a clinician can help assess your needs and discuss care. Ask what kind of help you want now and what you can access reliably.

Sources & further reading

These independent resources provide further information. Their inclusion does not imply endorsement of Youth Health.