Choosing a Counsellor

It can be very hard to choose a counsellor or therapist who is right for you. It can be especially challenging if you have been abused or traumatised.

If you experienced childhood trauma or abuse you can choose to call Blue Knot Helpline and Redress Support Service on 1300 657 380 AEST to speak to one of our counsellors. The service operates between 9 am and 5 pm Monday to Friday.

All Blue Knot counsellors are experienced trauma counsellors. When you call they will hear and listen to you to see what it is you need and how they can help.

Choosing a therapist can be challenging, confusing and time-consuming but is important to find someone with the right skills and with whom you feel comfortable. It is a good idea to ‘shop around’ before you decide.

When you first speak to a new counsellor or therapist feel free to ask them about their experience, ways of working and qualifications.

Blue Knot Foundation has a Referral Database of health practitioners and agencies with experience in supporting adult survivors of childhood trauma and abuse. Our helpline counsellors can provide you with the names and contact details of practitioners from this database in response to your
requests.

To find the name and contact details of a practitioner or agency for you to access call Blue Knot Helpline and Redress Support Service on 1300 657 380 between 9-5 Mon-Sun AEST.

(Blue Knot Foundation provides this information as a service only and cannot guarantee the suitability of a particular practitioner or agency for a survivor’s particular needs).

The therapist you choose should be a good listener.
They should be empathetic
and non-judgmental.
Your therapist needs to be a trusted partner in your process.

You might find the following suggestions helpful:

Ask other survivors you know if they can recommend someone
Speak to a counsellor on Blue Knot Helpline and Redress Support Service on 1300 657 380, 9-5 Mon-Sun AEST for suggestions of counsellors from the referral database
Prepare a list of questions e.g. What is their experience in working with survivors?
What approach(es) does the counsellor use?
How much will it cost? Does the counsellor offer concessions? What are the payment options?

Is the counsellor part of a scheme e.g. Victims Services or covered by Medicare?
How available is the counsellor?
What happens in a session? How long are they?
What happens if I need to cancel a session?
Can I make contact between sessions? What happens when you or the counsellor take holidays?
What happens after you finish therapy? Could you come back again? Will you be part of the decision-making process?

Beware of therapists who give hugs, shake hands too readily, or sit too close without invitation. If you feel uncomfortable when meet a therapist, trust your gut.
Beware if your therapist seems overly interested in your sexual history and questions you in detail, especially when the questioning does not seem relevant.
Beware if your therapist avoids sensitive issues and talks in generalities. Is your therapist able to handle the feelings and content that you bring to therapy, and support you through them?