People thrive on relationships and some of the most important relationships we ever experience are those within our families. Unfortunately, these can often also be the most challenging. Emotions can quickly become heightened and it can be difficult to see a way forward.
Centacare FNQ's has been providing professional counselling services in Cairns and the Far North since 1981. We offer a supportive and collaborative environment where individuals, couples and families can discuss their problems and concerns, clarify the situation, gain new perspectives and work towards change.
Our counselling service is flexible. Whilst our main focus is on a whole family approach, we are also able to offer counselling for individuals, couples and families, at different stages of their lives:
At various points in life, anyone can find value in additional assistance. Whether you're navigating a challenging period, experiencing a significant life transition, or striving to nurture more meaningful connections with those who matter to you, our dedicated counsellors are here to offer extra guidance and support.
Centacare FNQ's has been providing professional counselling services in Cairns and the Far North since 1981. We offer a supportive and collaborative environment and work with children, young people, adults, couples, and families.
At Centacare FNQ, we believe in the potential of every child and understand that every child is unique, as are their circumstance. Our objective is to provide a safe environment free of judgement or expectation for the child to express, explore and resolve areas of distress in their lives so the child is able to reach their full potential. For children under 5 years of age, our service will use a dyadic approach which involves working closely with the child’s primary attachment figure. All children’s counselling sessions will commence with a parent/carer assessment which will allow the counsellor to understand the child’s unique needs and ensure support and engagement from the child’s support network.
When working with children we will use therapies geared towards their developmental needs and this can include play therapy, sand tray therapy, expressive therapies and attachment based therapy.
We provide therapeutic support for young people wanting to engage in support. Generally, children 15 and over can consent to counselling without the support of their parent or guardian, which will be discussed with and determined by the counsellor. The service encourages parents/carers/support networks to be engaged however understand this is not always the case. A parent/guardian may refer a young person to counselling with their consent.
Adults include any client 18 years and over seeking assistance and can self-refer to our services.
Relationship counselling offers a safe, non-judgemental space for couples to reflect on aspects of their relationship in which they are seeking support. Each individual couple wishing to access counselling will be required to contact the service and complete an individual intake. Individual sessions with the counsellor will commence to allow the service to understand the situation from both perspectives prior to service making a decision whether joint sessions will be appropriate.
Our family counsellors work with individual family members to help identify problems that are impacting each individual family member. If appropriate there may be opportunity to bring family members into joint sessions to facilitate conversations in a safe environment.
There are a number of pathways to access Counselling at Centacare FNQ.
Therapeutic support for children and young people subject to child safety intervention. The service can also support carers and parents to meet their child’s needs and increase placement stability. This is a free service and all referrals come from Child Safety.
Other pathways include:
Centacare FNQ is registered as a NDIS Service Provider and can provide counselling and therapeutic support to individuals with a NDIS plan.
Individuals with financial difficulties can see their GP and request a referral to Connect to Wellbeing. Connect to Wellbeing will complete an assessment and refer to Centacare FNQ. Eligible for 6 sessions initially with options for additional 4 sessions with GP approval.
Individuals can visit their GP to complete and Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) which can be sent to [email protected]. $40 gap fee which can be waived for those experiencing financial hardship. Eligible for 6 sessions initially with options for additional 4 sessions with GP approval
Centacare Mental Health & Wellbeing
22-34 Aplin Street, Cairns, QLD 4870
P: 07 4044 0130
E: [email protected]
Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday, 8.30 am - 5.00 pm
