Psychology and counselling services
Access mental health nurses, psychologists and social workers for confidential support for personal, emotional and mental health difficulties.
Need emergency help?
Call these numbers anytime for support in a crisis and help with suicide prevention:
Swinburne's student wellbeing support line: 1300 854 144 or text 0488 884 145
Emergency services: 000
Lifeline: 131 114
Suicide Help Line: 1300 651 251
Being a student presents a unique set of expectations and experiences that can have a significant impact on your wellbeing. If you’re struggling with a personal, emotional and mental health difficulty, whether related to your studies or your life away from Swinburne, you can access our services.
The university has counsellors available to assist you. Our goal is to help address concerns in a positive way by helping to clarify the issues, explore options, develop strategies and increase self-awareness. All sessions are, of course, kept private and confidential.
We will support you if you are experiencing:
- crisis – if you’re acutely distressed and needing immediate support on campus
- relationship and/ or family issues
- academic and general stress
- grief and loss
- loneliness and isolation
- depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues.
Specialised support services also exist for sexual assault, drug addiction, trauma, Asperger’s and ADHD.
How to get help
You will need to complete the triage process before your first appointment, which lasts around 20 minutes. This time will allow you to discuss your situation and needs.
Triage sessions are available by appointment and are filled on a first come, first served basis.
You can book a triage appointment by phoning the Health Service on +61 03 9214 8483.
Locations
Hawthorn
Counselling services
+61 3 9214 8483
Level 4, George Swinburne Building
34 Wakefield Street, Hawthorn
Croydon
Counselling Services
+61 3 9214 8483
Wantirna
Counselling Services
+61 3 9214 8483
Specialist support services
Referrals can be made to the Eastern Centre for Sexual Assault (ECASA) and Eastern Domestic Violence Outreach Support (EDVOS), to support those impacted by sexual assault and sexual harassment.
- ECASA trauma clinician: Free and confidential counselling and support is available for people who have experienced sexual assault or sexual harassment, recently or in the past.
- EDVOS specialist family violence service: A wide range of services available including developing a safety plan so you can remain in your own home, helping you to find a safe place to stay, helping you support your children (keep them safe and prioritise their wellbeing), and contact support services such as legal and financial.
Referrals can be made to Access Health and Community. The Alcohol and Drug Youth Support Clinician provides counselling and fosters recovery by providing support to reduce the harms of alcohol, medication and other drug use.
Costs
Swinburne Students generally incur no cost to access any of our services. For International students, some overseas health cover may require payment upfront, that will later be reimbursed.
It is important that you give notice if you need to cancel an appointment with a mental health clinician-psychologist or the psychiatrist so we can offer your appointment to another student in need.
You must call to cancel if you think you won't be able to keep your appointment with your counsellor. You will be charged a $20 fee if you do not call us to cancel at least two hours in advance. This fee needs to be paid before you make another appointment.
To cancel an appointment with the psychologist or psychiatrist, you must give at least 48 hours notice or you will be charged a cancellation fee as follows.
Psychiatrist cancellation fees:
If you fail to attend your appointment or do not provide 48 notices you may be charged a fee ranging from $60 to $220 depending on the length and type of your missed appointment.
Note: You can arrange SMS reminders at the time of booking to be sure you don’t miss your appointment.
Did you know?
If you have longer-term mental health needs, you may also be eligible for further academic support.
Need urgent help?
If you are in crisis, you can call the Swinburne's student wellbeing support line on 1300 854 144 (or SMS +61 4 8888 4145). The line provides confidential phone support 24 hours Monday – Sunday, including public holidays.
Want to provide feedback?
We are committed to continually improving our service. If you have used our service recently, we invite you to fill in our feedback form.
Want to register for psychology or counselling sessions?
If you would like to register for a psychology or counselling session complete the form below, you can then make appointments.