To make an enquiry or book in an appointment please contact Meridian Wellbeing Services on 6257 2855, via email at [email protected] or complete Self-Referral or Client Referral Form.

Counselling 

Counselling services are available to all members of the LGBTIQ+ community and their allies who are 15 years old and above, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, ability, cultural background or religious belief.

Inclusive Pathways – Psychology

Inclusive Pathways is available to people who are:

• 16 years old and above
• Identify as LGBTIQA+ or questioning/exploring identity
• Have a Mental Health Treatment Plan
• Live/Work/Study in the ACT

Alcohol and Other Drug Counselling

AOD Counselling is available to individuals affected by their own or another person’s use of alcohol, drugs or other addictions. We welcome members of the community regardless of gender, sexual orientation, ability, cultural background or religious belief.

Counselling

Counselling Services are funded by the ACT government to provide free counselling for people living with HIV or impacted by HIV and those holding a valid Healthcare card or Centrelink concession card. Other Counselling clients, the fee table below will apply.

The fee is not subject to rebate through Medicare.

Inclusive Pathways – Psychology

Inclusive Pathways (Psychology) is funded by the Capital Health Network (CHN) to provide free psychological therapies and social and emotional wellbeing support to LGBTIQA+ people.

Inclusive Pathways is available to people who are:

• 16 years old and above
• Identify as LGBTIQA+ or questioning/exploring identity
• Have an active Mental Health Treatment Plan
• Live/Work/Study in the ACT

Alcohol and Other Drug Counselling

Meridian Wellbeing Services is partnered with Directions ACT to provide free and confidential counselling for individuals affected by their own or another person’s use of alcohol, drugs or other addictions. 

Counselling

The current wait time is at least 2 months.

Inclusive Pathways - Psychology 

Inclusive Pathways is currently experiencing unprecedented demand and our waitlist is now closed. If you would like to access our service, please complete an online submission here - we can then let you know when the waitlist is open again.

Alcohol and Other Drug Counselling

The wait time might apply to AOD Counselling.

If you are able to come in for face-to-face support this is preferred, however we realise this is not always possible. We provide online support via Zoom video conferencing on request.

To ensure your safety and the safety of the clinician, you will need to agree to certain conditions regarding Zoom sessions.

A copy of our Zoom Protocol can be found here.

We accept both self-referrals and external referrals from other service providers.

Counselling Services and Inclusive Pathways - Psychology 

Self-Referral Form

Client Referral Form

Alcohol and Other Drug Counselling

AOD Self-Referral Form

AOD Client Referral Form

Counselling Services

You do not need Mental Health Treatment Plan.

Inclusive Pathways - Psychology

You do need an active Mental Health Treatment Plan. If you face any barriers in obtaining a Mental Health Treatment Plan, we can support you to get one.

Alcohol and Other Drug Counselling

You do not need Mental Health Treatment Plan.

Our mental health professionals are committed to providing a safe, non-judgmental and inclusive therapeutic environment. Many of our staff are peers and all our mental health professionals are experienced working in therapeutic settings with the LGBTIQ+ community.

You can talk to us about absolutely everything that’s going on for you including anything that is impacting your wellbeing. We commonly talk to people about:

• Sexuality
• Coming out
• Living with HIV or being impacted by HIV
• Relationship issues
• Trans and gender diversity
• Sex and sexual health
• Stigma and discrimination
• Other community-focused issues
• Alcohol, drugs or other addictions for AOD Counselling

We understand that, for a lot of people, taking the first step of attending a counselling or psychology appointment can be stressful or intimidating.
In your first session we will:

• Get to know each other and ensure you feel safe and supported
• Talk about the session, including confidentiality and safety
• Get a little bit of background information and begin a conversation about what has brought you to the service and how we can help support you
• Do a lot of listening to understand your unique circumstances and lived experience

At your first appointment, you will need to complete a Client Intake Form including basic demographic details and information that will help us support you, such as your pronouns, gender identity and an emergency contact person.

We will also ask you to consent to Meridian holding your details in confidence and as per the Privacy Act. Some data that does not identify you in any way is also requested.

Absolutely – we take your privacy very seriously.

The only times we would divulge that you are one of our clients are:

• With your consent to facilitate referral to a new service or clinician
• If there is an imminent risk to your safety or the safety of someone around you. Even then we would only speak to the emergency contact you provided at intake or an appropriate service that could assist you

We keep limited information on file to assist us with delivering the best service possible to you.
For some programs we also ask for your consent to share basic and limited de-identified data with the ACT government who funds the program.

No, your record of appointments and client notes are held confidentially and securely.

Your written or verbal informed consent is required to provide details for other services.

We understand that on some occasions it may not be possible for people to attend their appointments.  Providing advance notice that you cannot attend your appointment means the appointment slot can be offered to someone else.

If you are not able to attend a planned appointment for any reason, please let us know as soon as possible via the below contact options:

• Call: 02 6257 2855
• SMS: 0412 882 855
• Email: [email protected]

Please be advised that

• Cancellation and immediate re-scheduling will incur no penalty up to 24 hours prior to appointment times.
• Cancellation within 24 hours of appointment times or No-shows will be counted as one of the sessions from your Segment-of-care.
• The maximum number of cancellations or reschedule is two.

If you miss your appointment, we will attempt to contact you by your preferred contact method to reschedule. You have 5 business days to book in a new appointment, after which your Segment-of-care will be closed.

Click here for a list of your rights and responsibilities.

There is also a poster detailing this information displayed in the waiting area of our service.

Click here for a list of Carers' rights and responsibilities.

There is also a poster detailing this information displayed in the waiting area of our services.

Our COVID precautions are in line with ACT government requirements. You are welcome to wear a mask when at Meridian although this is not mandated.

Meridian Wellbeing Services is not a crisis service. We are an appointment-based service and we only respond to phone calls and emails during normal business hours - 9:00am to 4:00pm, Monday - Friday.

Crisis contacts and other supports can be found here

Sometimes you may not connect with the first clinician that you see or the therapy or the style of therapy being provided – we understand this can happen.

We do our best to find something that works for your needs and commonly this means a mix of styles and approaches that can be adjusted at each session or at your request. We do not prescribe one type of therapeutic approach.

We welcome your thoughts on the type of therapy and style that might work better for you and we can easily look to try an alternative.

While we do not provide medical certificates, we can complete a Certificate of Attendance for you on request.

Payment for counselling sessions are made at the reception counter at the end of each session.

We accept cash or credit card and will issue you with a receipt.

If your appointment has taken place remotely (via Zoom or Team Meeting) we will send you an invoice after the session for payment via direct bank transfer.

Meridian is centrally located in Turner, ACT.

Address: Havelock House, 85 Northbourne Ave, Turner ACT 2612.

There is a tram stop nearby and limited visitor parking. Please see the attached Map for more detailed directions.

Meridian Wellbeing Services has a private entrance to our therapeutic space on the corner of Gould and Moore Streets. When you arrive, as you face Havelock House from the Gould Street side, the Meridian Wellbeing Services entrance is situated to the right of the main Meridian entrance. If you end up at the main Meridian entrance, that is perfectly fine, a staff member will provide directions.

If you get stuck or are unsure in any way please feel free to ring us on 6257 2855 for help with directions.