You searched "counsellors near me", rang a few places, and heard the same thing: books are full, there is a waiting list, or the nearest option is an hour's drive away. That is a frustrating spot to be in when you have finally decided to talk to someone.
It does not mean you are stuck. There are several ways to get support while you sort out something longer term, and some of them are free.
Why local can be hard
Some areas, especially regional and outer suburban ones, have only a handful of practitioners. Others have plenty on paper, but the ones who suit you, at a time you can actually attend, are booked out. Add travel and time off work, and "near me" can quietly become "not this month".
None of that says anything about you. It is a supply problem, and there are workarounds.
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Find a therapistOptions you can use this week
You do not have to pick just one. Many people do two or three of these at once.
- Your GP. A good first stop if you want a health check, are unsure what kind of support you need, or want to talk about a Mental Health Treatment Plan for Medicare rebates with an eligible provider. GPs can also tell you who is taking new clients locally.
- Medicare Mental Health Centres. Free walk-in centres for adults, with no appointment, referral or Medicare card needed. They are not in every area, so check the Medicare Mental Health website or call 1800 595 212 to see whether there is one near you.
- Medicare Mental Health Check In. A free service for people aged 16 and over, with no referral or diagnosis needed. You can work through short online programs on your own, or with a practitioner by telehealth. It is designed for common concerns like worry, sleep and low mood, so it will not suit everyone.
- A waiting list, as a back-up. If a local counsellor you like is booked out, ask to go on the list. It costs nothing, and you can still start somewhere else in the meantime.
- Online counselling. Sessions by video from your own home, with no travel. This is where InnerHub fits.
Note
Free services are a good choice, and for many people the right one. If one is available to you and suits what you need, use it. Paid counselling is simply another route when you want regular one-to-one sessions sooner.
What online counselling gets you, and what it does not
Online counselling widens the pool. You are not limited to whoever practises within driving distance, so it is easier to find someone who suits you and has a time that works.
What to weigh up:
- Privacy at home. You will need a space where you will not be overheard, and a reasonably steady internet connection.
- No physical room. Some people feel more settled in a room with another person. If that is you, in-person is a fair preference.
- Scope. Your counsellor works within their training. If what you are carrying needs a doctor or specialist care, they will say so and point you to it.
What to ask when you ring around
A few quick questions save a lot of back and forth:
- Are you taking new clients, and how long is the wait? Ask for a rough date, not just "a few weeks".
- Can I go on a cancellation list? Short-notice spots come up more often than you would think.
- What does a session cost, and is there a gap after any rebate? So there are no surprises.
- Do you offer telehealth? Some local practitioners do, which can shorten the wait.
- Do you work with what I am going through? Experience with your concern matters more than distance.
How to check an online counsellor
Online widens your choice, so it is worth knowing what to look for:
- Qualifications you can see. The degree, where it is from, and years of practice should be on the profile before you pay anything.
- Clear boundaries. A good service says plainly what it does not do, such as crisis care, diagnosis or prescriptions.
- Straightforward pricing. One clear price per session, and no subscription you have to remember to cancel.
- Easy to change. If the first person is not the right fit, you should be able to choose someone else without a fuss.
Where InnerHub fits
InnerHub is online only. Sessions are 50 minutes by video, for a flat $59.90 AUD each, with no referral and no subscription. You choose from profiles that show each practitioner's degree, the country it came from and their years of practice.
Our practitioners are experienced and qualified in their own countries. They are registered overseas, not with AHPRA, which is why sessions sit outside Medicare and do not attract a rebate. Our guide to therapy without a mental health plan explains what that means in practice, and how it works walks through booking. When you are ready, you can get matched in a couple of minutes.
How to choose while you wait
A simple way to decide:
- Need support today? Use the crisis lines below, or a walk-in centre if one is near you.
- Happy to start with something free and short? Try the Medicare Mental Health Check In.
- Want regular one-to-one sessions with someone you choose, soon? Compare online practitioners, or ask your local one for a waiting list spot too.
- Unsure? A GP visit is a sound first step and does not rule out any of the above.
You can also work out what you would like to talk about first. For example, our page on anxiety counselling describes what a session involves.
Not sure where to start?
Take the two-minute quiz to see what kind of support fits, or read how matching works.
Take the quizIf you need help sooner
Counselling is for ongoing support, not emergencies. If you are in immediate danger call 000. If you want to talk to someone right now, Lifeline is on 13 11 14, any time of day or night.
This is general information, not financial, clinical or medical advice, and not a substitute for professional care. InnerHub is for adults aged 18 and over.
General information, not clinical or medical advice. For adults 18 and over. InnerHub is not a crisis service: in an emergency call 000, or Lifeline on 13 11 14.
