Overview

Who It's For

We support adults, young people, and children who have lived with domestic and family violence, whether their experience is ongoing, happened recently or occurred several years ago.

How We Help

Our counsellors will give you the space to talk through your experiences as and when you are ready, with the aim to regain your confidence as you move forward.

What to Expect

Our appointments are available face-to-face or online, and last between 60 and 90 minutes. Your counsellor will work with you to determine how many sessions you need.

Those going through domestic and family violence often experience:

We recognise that everyone’s experiences are different. Our experienced counsellors will work with you to determine a customised approach for your unique situation.

Physical or sexual violence
Coercive control and manipulation
Emotional and verbal abuse
Humiliation or social isolation
Financial control
Harassment, stalking and monitoring
Gaslighting

What you’ll take away:

01
Develop an exit plan, if required, to help you leave the relationship safely
02
If you’re a parent, learn ways to support your children through difficult times
03
Begin to work through past trauma
04
Learn coping tools to help manage stress
05
Regain your confidence and self-esteem
06
Learn ways to respond to negative behaviour in the future

24/7 Emergency Numbers

Need urgent help? Relationships Australia NSW is not a crisis service, but there’s a range of organisations that can help you.

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FAQs

Sometimes we all need some extra support and guidance to help find ways to move forward. Counselling can offer you practical tools and strategies to help you overcome challenges and look at things from a different perspective. Our counselling services are welcoming, non-judgemental and suitable for individuals, couples, and families. If you are in crisis, experiencing domestic or family violence, or have made the decision to separate, we have additional services that we can offer to give you the best support.
Our counsellors have a diverse range of skills, qualifications, and relevant industry training. While professional backgrounds often range from psychology to social or casework, all our counsellors need to have a Bachelors degree or higher, with additional counselling-specific training.
During the Client Intake process, our team will ask you specific questions to help connect you with programs or services that we believe will be best for your situation. Our counsellors have experience and ongoing training in a variety of counselling models and methods, and will work with you to determine the best approach for your particular needs.
Yes, we will do our best to accommodate your request to meet with the counsellor of your choice. However, we can’t always guarantee you will see your preferred counsellor, as they may already be booked out and unable to accept new bookings.
Unfortunately, it isn’t possible to speak with your counsellor prior to the sessions, due to their schedules. However, our client services team can help you with your enquiries, and make notes for your counsellor to refer to during your first appointment.
Yes – after your first session with a particular counsellor, you’ll continue to see the same counsellor for your follow-up sessions as well.
To respect the privacy of all of our clients, we are unable to call your partner directly to request that they attend counselling. If they’re looking for further information, more clarity, or want to discuss their concerns about coming to counselling, they are more than welcome to call us directly. We’ll be happy to speak to them confidentially and answer any questions they have.
Children under the age of 18 can attend Family Counselling or Adolescent Family Therapy sessions with their parents or carers. We can’t provide individual counselling sessions for children under the age of 18 years.
No – while we welcome referrals from healthcare professionals and GPs for many of our services, a referral for counselling isn’t required.
We don’t provide mental health assessments or diagnoses for any mental illnesses. However, this is something that most GPs can provide, so we encourage you to speak to your doctor or healthcare provider. They may then refer you to one of our services for further support. Find out more about mental health assessments here.
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Related Services & Workshops

Family Advocacy and Support Service

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Family Advocacy and Support Service

The Family Advocacy and Support Service (FASS) is a free service which supports men going through the Family Court system in cases of domestic and family violence. By offering aid to both perpetrators and victims, we aim to encourage long term positive behaviour change.

Care and Connect – Domestic Family Sexual Violence Linker Program

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Care and Connect – Domestic Family Sexual Violence Linker Program

Free, safe and confidential support to people who are experiencing domestic violence or family sexual violence in the Blue Mountains, Hawkesbury, Lithgow and Penrith Regions. Referrals via local GP or health professionals.

Women’s Choice and Change

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Women’s Choice and Change

This program is a free domestic violence support group for women. Our family therapists provide a safe and caring space to share and learn from others who understand your experiences. Skills and strategies are provided to help you move forward with your life.

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Relationships Australia NSW will be closed from Saturday 23 December 2023 until Tuesday 2 January 2024.  

Click here for more information. 

If you are in crisis, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Relationships Australia NSW will be closed from Saturday 23 December 2023 until Tuesday 2 January 2024.  


This closure includes all local centres, head office and our customer care team. For any enquiries during this period, please email enquiries@ransw.org.au and a member of our team will be in touch as soon as we reopen.

Click here for more information. 
If you are in crisis, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

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