DES Home > EMQ Home >EMbrace Program >Counselling

Counselling

EMbrace Program Counsellors are appropriately trained and experienced mental health professionals who possess tertiary qualifications and are registered with nationally recognised professional associations, e.g. Psychologists Registration Board of Queensland, Australian Association of Social Workers; Psychotherapists and Counselling Federation of Australia.

What does Counselling involve?

EMbrace Program Counsellors will discuss your concerns and their effect on your life and work. They are trained to help you deal effectively with your concerns by examining a range of options. Support is provided in a caring, non-judgemental environment.
The counsellor may also refer you to further specialist assistance such as a medical practitioner, a specialist psychologist or drug and alcohol counselling etc.

Referrals to Counselling

Peer Supporters and the EMbrace program coordinator has a list of EMbrace Program Counsellors registered to provide EMbrace Program counselling.
you may refer yourself directly to an EMbrace Program counsellor by calling 1300 309 508
Other people, such as a supervisor may refer you, but only with your permission
All paid staff or their immediate family are entitled to FOUR counselling sessions in any 12-month period for any work-related and/or personal problem.
Volunteers are entitled to FOUR counselling sessions for issues involving emergency services work-related difficulties only.
A counselling session is deemed to be of one hour’s duration.

for a list of EMbrace program Counsellors call 1300 309 508

Confidentiality

EMbrace Program Counsellors are professionally bound by the guidelines, policies and procedures of EMbrace Program, which are in accordance with the DES Privacy Policy Statement (refer section 15.6 of the FMPM). EMbrace Program counselling information may only be revealed when:

It is a legal requirement to disclose information
Failure to disclose information would place the client or another person at risk
The client's written consent has been obtained to release the information to another person or agency
At times an audit will be conducted, during which an external auditor (not a member of the Department of Community Safety) will record clients’ names and dates of sessions to ensure the continuity of our counsellors professional and ethical practice.

Cost

There is NO cost to the client for the first FOUR counselling sessions.
Further counselling beyond FOUR sessions may be available, subject to written prior approval from the EMbrace Program Coordinator . Generally, extensions may be given when the problem is impacting upon emergency services work performance and especially when the safety of the client or others is at risk.

1800 Telephone Number

EMbrace Program provides a free 24 hour confidential crisis telephone counselling service for volunteers, staff and their immediate family members. The service is pager operated. Upon calling the free 1800 telephone number you will be asked to leave your contact details so a EMbrace Program counsellor can return your call as soon as possible. The free telephone counselling service is aimed at providing assistance to those who require immediate help or support.

Free Call: 1800 805 980

Last updated 1 June 2009