Sydney Counselling

We are a free and confidential service, providing a safe environment for currently enrolled students to discuss a wide range of personal, psychological and study-related difficulties.

Our aim is to help students develop strategies and skills to resolve or manage problems that they face while studying, so that they can achieve their personal and academic goals.

All counsellors are highly-trained registered psychologists who provide short-term individual counselling. If longer term counselling or support is required, referral to another professional or community-based organisation can be facilitated by the counsellor. The service also offers various workshops, as advertised during the academic year.

• Contact

  Location and Operating Hours

  If you would like to speak to a counsellor, you will need to make an appointment.

  Broadway:
  Level 5, Pioneer House
  Student Wellbeing Reception
  NDS5/531
  Monday to Friday
  9am to 5pm

  Darlinghurst:
  Level 1, NDS11/101
  Our counsellors are available at the Darlinghurst site on selected days of the week by appointment.

  How do I contact the Counselling Service?
  Phone: (02) 8204 4220
  Email: sydney.counselling@nd.edu.au
  Website: www.notredame.edu.au/sydneycounselling

  Please be aware that the Sydney Counselling Service phone and emails are being attended to Monday to Friday between the hours of 10.30am and 7.00pm.

• Meet our team

  Counsellor - Dimitri Antoniou (Counsellor)

  

  Dimitri is a PACFA registered Counsellor based on the Sydney campuses. Dimitri completed a Bachelor of Arts in Psychological Sciences from the University of New South Wales and is a Notre Dame alumni having graduated with a Masters of Counselling.  
  
  Dimitri has extensive experience working within the psychiatric inpatient/outpatient setting, predominantly focusing on group psychotherapy specialising in addiction. He also has experience with a range of individual presentations including anxiety, depression, trauma, interpersonal difficulties and complex personality disorders.
  
  He is compassionate, warm and understanding towards his clients and does all he can to make sure they feel nurtured and supported through their mental health journey. He enjoys working with people to help them navigate their distress whilst being understanding towards what makes them unique as individuals. He adopts an evidence-based, goal-orientated approach drawing from a range of theoretical modalities.
  
  In his spare time, he enjoys practising martial arts, playing golf and spending time with family and friends.

  Counsellor - Tanya Hosken (Counsellor)

  

  Tanya views counselling as a purposeful, constructive and supportive conversation that brings about greater self-awareness, choice and the opportunity for change.

  She has a Graduate Diploma of Counselling and a  background working with NGO's, counselling those living with a genetic disorder and multiple health challenges. She is passionate about supporting people through major life transitions, grief and loss, those experiencing psychological distress and helping clients create healthy and respectful relationships.

  She enjoys building on clients strengths, skills  and abilities so that they can continue on their journey creating a manageable and meaningful life. Tanya’s approach centers around co-creating a trusting and supportive therapeutic relationship where together they can work towards the clients goals and their emotional and mental health needs.  She uses a range of approaches to provide meaningful and practical support and is skilled in working with CALD individuals. She is experienced in working with individuals, couples and creating safe and supportive therapeutic groups.

  Tanya’s favorite things to do include practicing yoga, reading, watching cooking shows, playing in the ocean (swimming, bodyboarding, SUP and kayaking) and savoring a good coffee.

  Counsellor - Beth Vila (Counsellor)

  

  Beth is a warm, empathetic, nurturing psychologist who is passionate about her work. Her gentle approach allows others to experience a positive experience of therapy, providing the foundation for effective growth. Beth is a firm believer that change is possible and works steadily with clients to achieve their goals.

  Beth has experience working as a psychologist in a variety of settings including: community mental health, conducting cognitive assessments, the not-for-profit sector and private practice.

  Beth utilises a number of therapeutic approaches including Cognitive and Behavioural therapies, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Her interventions utilise skills and strategies from: Solutions Focussed Brief Counselling, Compassion Focussed therapy and Mindfulness based techniques.

• How do I make an appointment?

  
  You can contact us at (02) 8204 4220 or sydney.counselling@nd.edu.au to make an appointment.

  All telephone and email contact is kept confidential, accessible only by counsellors.

  Please be aware that the Sydney Counselling Service phone and emails are being attended to Monday to Friday between the hours of 10.30am and 7.00pm.

• What if I can’t attend my appointment?

  
  If you cannot attend an appointment, please call us at (02) 8204 4220 or email us at sydney.counselling@nd.edu.au to cancel or reschedule. This enables the counsellors to see someone else who may also need an appointment.

  Please be aware that the Sydney Counselling Service phone and emails are being attended to Monday to Friday between the hours of 10.30am and 7.00pm.

• What should I expect?

  
  Individual counselling sessions are typically 50 minutes. The number of sessions will vary, where students are seen on a short-term basis.

• What do people talk about?

  
  Counselling is a process of talking and listening. It involves helping you develop new perspectives and skills to resolve problems.

  Some common issues students talk to us about include:

  • concerns about study-related issues (concentration, motivation, and exam anxiety)
  • difficulties in relationships with significant others (family, partners, and friends)
  • questions of identity, self-esteem and confidence
  • feelings of depression, anxiety and fear
  • loss or trauma
  • stress or conflict at home, work or university
  • coping with disabilities or health problems

• Is counselling confidential?

  
  All information discussed during sessions at the Counselling Service remains confidential. It is important to be aware that any information provided is stored securely and is not available to a third party external to the service.

  The only exceptions to confidentiality are:

  • if you are considered at risk of causing serious harm to yourself or someone else
  • if reporting of information is required by law
  • if your file is subpoenaed by a court of law
  • if mandatory reporting obligations apply, such as for child abuse or notifiable conduct of a registered health practitioner or registered health student practitioner or registered health student.

• What about emergencies or crisis situations?

  
  The Counselling Service is not a crisis service and does not provide after-hours consultations.

  If staff members or students require immediate and urgent assistance, then:

  Step 1: Ensure your safety and the safety of others
  Step 2: Contact 000 for emergency services
  Step 3: Advise Security (Broadway: 0403 458 011, Darlinghurst: 0406 318 213)

  After Hours Emergencies:
  If you require immediate and urgent assistance, please contact the following services:

  Police, Ambulance, & Fire (for life threatening emergencies)	000
  Mental Health Emergency Response Line	1800 011 511
  Lifeline	13 11 14
  Other counselling services that may be able to provide appointments in a crisis situation
  Kidshelpline	1800 551 800
  Camperdown Community Mental Health Team	02 9515 9000
  SuicideCallbackservice	1300 659 467
  Beyond Blue	1300 224 636
  NSW Health Sexual Assault Services - Sexual assault (NSW Govt)	1800 424 017
  Alcohol and Drug Information Service (Your Room)