Counselling and Advocacy Services
People who have experienced torture and trauma before coming to Australia might continue to suffer from some effects of the prolonged exposure to human rights abuses, violence, war and physical hardship. Settling into a foreign country can also be a very traumatising experience. Melaleuca Refugee Centre offers counselling and advocacy for individuals and their families from refugee background. We recognise that people’s pre-migration experiences and the process of resettlement are important to psychosocial well being. The service offers initial counseling upon arrival and long term counseling for those individuals or families in need. The counseling team provides specialised services for children and young people as well as adults.
Counsellor /Advocates provide a safe, confidential and non-judgmental environment where people can talk about their experiences, both pre and post migration, and can explore their strong feelings, thoughts, and memories. Reactions to trauma may include disturbed sleep, nightmares, panic attacks, feeling anxious, feelings of guilt and shame, feelings of hopeless or helplessness, and too much worry. People may be suffering from headaches, the pain of loss of loved ones and homeland, and feelings of dissatisfaction or emotional exhaustion. We often feel humbled by the courage, dignity, resilience and strengths people have brought with them.
Through working together, we aim for people to gain control and enjoyment in their lives and participate more fully in society. We use interpreters if people do not feel confident in the use of the English language. Our current staff are qualified psychologists, social workers, youth workers or art therapists. Through collaboration with other staff and volunteers, Counsellor/Advocates also support community development and settlement activities at Melaleuca. We also work closely with other agencies to support our clients, such as Intensive English Units within Anula School and Darwin High School, the Adult Migrant English Program and NT Legal Aid.
We offer:
- Counselling and advocacy Emotional support to individuals, parents and families
- Assistance to young people, including counseling, group activities and in-school support
- Child focused counseling and support, addressing the needs of children and their families, individually, and in groups
- In-school programs focusing on children, their parents and teachers
- Flexible services, including access to interpreters and counselling free of charge
- Training, consultancy and joint activities with schools, universities, health and other professionals and community members.
