Counselling

Counselling is provided for concerns related to sexual health. These include:

• relationship issues (including mismatched sexual desire)
• any issues to do with sexuality (including body image)
• vaginismus (otherwise known as Genito-Pelvic Pain/Penetration Disorder; pain with vaginal penetration)
• orgasm issues, erectile or ejaculation difficulties
• sexual and/or gender identity
• concerns around pregnancy options
• termination of pregnancy/post-termination issues
• sexual issues relating to a disability or chronic illness
• living with sexually transmitted infections

Our sexual health counsellors will be able to refer you to another service if there is a more appropriate service for your concerns.

Clients under 25 years old

Counselling services are FREE for all clients aged 25 years and under.
Note: Our counselling service is available for people who are 12 years old and over.

Concession/Health Care card holders

A $25 fee applies per session for clients over the age of 25 with a valid Concession/Health Care card.

Clients over 25 years old (Non-Concession card holder)

A $50 fee applies per session for clients over the age of 25.

Sessions for workers and carers of people living with a disability

Please see Disability Services: Education for workers and carers of people with a disability below.

We can provide single sessions with a carer, worker or parent to provide a tailored program for the person/s they are supporting. This session can usually be provided within a few weeks of the initial request.

Our goal is to build capacity of the key workers/support people for the client. Through providing carers/workers with the skills to engage with individuals around relationships and sexual health they can provide sustainable and ongoing support.

This session is longer than a regular client appointment (1 hour) and costs $100.00. To make an appointment, phone 8300 5300

Free interpreting can be arranged. Please let us know what you require when booking your appointment (for example, if you want a male or female interpreter).

A sexual health counsellor is available for appointments during work hours. The days and times vary for each location, so please contact us to find out when counselling is available in your area.

There may be a waiting time for appointments, as there is often a high demand for counselling.

However, some issues such as unplanned pregnancy are considered a priority, so make sure you let us know it is urgent when you call.

For counselling locations, see Find a Clinic.

To make an appointment call 8300 5300.

Rural clients can phone to arrange for a telephone counselling appointment. You will be asked to call SHINE SA at the pre-arranged time to ‘check-in’ for your appointment (but you can negotiate having the counsellor call you back for the session if you need).

We prefer self-referrals, but referrals may be made from parents, caregivers or teachers as long as the young person is requesting and consents to a service and understands it is a counselling appointment that has been booked.

SHINE SA has a range of educational self-help books and DVDs that may help you with your concerns.

See Library

At SHINE SA you’ll be treated with respect and receive quality health care at all times. For information about your rights as a client of SHINE SA see Client rights.