• What is the KOI Counselling Service?

    The Counselling Service provided by King’s Own Institute is a confidential, free counselling service provided to any KOI student who is seeking additional support. Students can choose to access these services when they require them, or they may be referred by other members of staff who have identified some risk factors within the student’s life.

  • What is counselling?

    Counselling is a safe and confidential collaboration between qualified counsellors and clients to promote mental health and wellbeing, enhance self-understanding and resolve identified concerns.

  • What can counselling help with?
    • Transitional stress: homesickness, relocating from another geographical region and cultural differences.
    • Relationship difficulties: with family members, friends and colleagues.
    • Family issues involving: parents, partners, children, carers, relationship separation, divorce, financial complications, misuse of alcohol/drugs and gambling.
    • Challenging life experiences: trauma, abuse and domestic violence.
    • Lack of confidence: poor self esteem
    • Psychological Distress: depression, anxiety, panic, isolation, suicidal thoughts and anger management.
    • Repetitive destructive behaviour: binge eating, abusive relationships, addictive behaviours
    • Exam and study stress: perfectionism, procrastination, time management and performance anxiety.
    • Bereavement: grief and loss.

    One of the great things about counselling is that it is an adaptive service, and can provide help for a wide range of circumstances.

  • Does seeing a counsellor mean I have a mental illness?

    No, seeing a counsellor doesn’t mean you have a mental illness. However, there are some symptoms that do call for additional medical assessment. If such symptoms are identified the counsellor will ensure that you have appropriate information, referral to appropriate practitioners and follow-up support.

  • Will the counsellor give me advice?

    The purpose of counselling is to help you make your own decisions and for you to learn to be a wise guide for your own actions.

    The counsellor will work with you respecting your values, choices and lifestyle, and assist you work towards the choices or changes that fit for you and your circumstances.

  • Is counselling confidential?

    Counsellors work to a strict code of ethics which means they must inform you of the limits of confidentiality and then stick to these rules.

    However, if you are worried about the implications of any breach of confidentiality you may wish to:

    • Speak to a counsellor in general terms first in order to see how the privacy and confidentiality requirements may apply to your particular situation.
    • Seek anonymous help through a telephone line.
  • When is the service available?

    The KOI Counselling Service is Monday – Friday, 9 am-5 pm, with appointments available by request.

  • How do I book an appointment?

    The counselling team is able to be contacted for bookings via the counselling email address, counselling@koi.edu.au. Once your email is received, a member of the team will endeavour to provide a response within 24hrs.

    Alternatively, you are able to book an appointment in person or on the phone via reception at Market or O’Connell St campuses.

  • What different emergency and support services are available?

    For a list of emergency and support information please click here.