Migrant and International Students
Holmesglen TAFE provides free, confidential counselling for all students.
In many countries people only talk to their family, close friends or a religious leader for help with problems. In Australia people choose to see a counsellor instead.
In Australia counselling is very common. People ask to see a counsellor with no feeling of embarrassment because people see counsellors all the time about so many things. It is not an unusual activity.
But what exactly is a Counsellor?
A Counsellor is a specially trained and qualified professional helper. Counsellors at Holmesglen are members of relevant Australian professional organisations. Therefore your counsellor will be a fully qualified psychologist or social worker. This means they use the highest standards of friendly, concerned and confidential helping.
What can you talk about with a counsellor?
A counsellor will talk with you about anything that you are concerned about. Counsellors talk to people about small problems or big problems. Sometimes counsellors help International Students learn how to do everyday business and personal things in the Australian way, or how to find information about something. You might benefit from help with things about life at Holmesglen or about life in Australia, or about life away from your country and your parents. Of course a counsellor will never replace your parents, but a counsellor can assist with some of the encouragement and advice like an "away from home" substitute parent.
Counsellors must keep strict confidentiality because they will talk to you about any private difficulties you may want to talk about. Counsellors will not talk to anyone else about you or situation unless you ask them to do so. It is important to counsellors that your privacy is respected and protected.
An advantage of seeing a counsellor is that the counsellor will not judge you or your situation. He or she will not think "you are a bad or good person". He/She will respect you as an individual.
Another advantage of seeing a counsellor is that a counsellor can be more objective than friends and relatives when exploring your choices. Your counsellor's first priority is to promote your own well being and success.
Will a counsellor tell you what you should do?
Counsellors in Australia try to avoid telling you what to do. Instead, they will explore with you all the choices you have as well as help you identify these choices. The counsellor will work with you to help you decide what is the best action for your success and well being
So you can come to see a counsellor about any big or small question or worry that you have and you can be sure that the counsellor will listen to you and try to help you in the best way. Remember: a counsellor will not tell you what you should do, but will discuss with you the things you can do to improve or solve any difficulty you may have.