New office for counselling services in the Shire
Mossman Port Douglas Counselling Services
A new chapter has started for Jenny Bill who offers counselling services in the Douglas Shire. With a brand new office space she can now offer counselling 7 days a week and cater for children 5+, youth, adults, couples and families.
Until recently Ms Bill hired the premises of the QCWA (Queensland Country Women’s Association) Port Douglas branch to provide face-to-face counselling two afternoons per week.
“After 15 months it was time to take the next leap and sign a lease,” Ms Bill said. I will forever remain very grateful to the QCWA Port Douglas branch for supporting us to achieve our goal of opening our own professional counselling room in the Douglas Shire.
“Mossman Port Douglas Counselling Services (MPDCS) now has access to our own room 24/7 and we are now in the position to offer face-to-face and telehealth counselling weekly over 7 days.
“This is not something that is currently offered in the Shire by any organisation and will hopefully provide opportunity for people that work a long 5 day week, to arrange a counselling appointment for themself or a loved one on a weekend day.”
The new office is situated at the RoundHouse in Craiglie. “The room is more professional. I am able to set up a children’s section dedicated to children 5+, using a room divider to close off the children’s section when I am with youth and/or adults.”
Blue counselling chairs
The main centrepieces of the room, three blue counselling chairs, are arriving this week, making the room almost completely ready.
“We would like to officially open our new counselling room once everything has arrived, however, I have commenced providing counselling support to my current clients there already and I have capacity to accept new referrals now.
“Bookings are essential; strictly no walk-ins. We will only be in our room providing counselling by appointment, when there are days with no client bookings, we will not be on-site. We are not a crisis service, nor are we open 24/7.”
Free Women’s support group
Ms Bill said she is still offering the free monthly women's support group in the new office. “I will be offering the support group a couple of days per month and at different times and see which times and days work best.
“If the group is successful and gets too large for my room, I will negotiate with the QCWA the use of their premises. I will also hire the QCWA if I gain any interest in my workshops I can present to the community.”
Need for it
Before Ms Bill started Mossman Port Douglas Counselling Services, she worked at Mossman Support Services (MSS) as a Practitioner in the Intensive Family Support Program. “Through this work I identified there was a need in the Shire for an affordable and professional counselling service.
“I offer a broad range of counselling skills and experiences and I am not restricted to a particular demographic or need. I wanted to be able to offer a professional service that could cater to the diverse needs of the Douglas Shire, at affordable rates. We see both residents and visitors to the Douglas Shire.
“My fee schedule has not increased and will remain set at the current rates to continue to offer an affordable professional counselling service to residents and visitors to the Douglas Shire.”
DVConnect
Mossman Port Douglas Counselling Services recognises and supports the QCWA in their efforts to provide assistance through a partnership the QCWA formed with DVConnect in 2011.
Recognising the severe impact of Domestic Violence, DVConnect is Queensland’s only statewide ‘crisis hotline’ for anyone affected by domestic violence or family violence.
“In my career, I have referred multiple people, the majority being women to DVConnect,” Ms Bill said. "MPDCS and QCWA have DVConnect in common. Without the continued funding support from the QCWA, DVConnect would not be able to assist as many people. The outcome of this would be of course that MPDCS and other professional services would find difficulties in where to refer people, if not to DVConnect.”
DVConnect (Qld) Statewide Domestic Violence Hotline: Women - 1800 811 811, Men - 1800 600 636, Sexual Assault - 1800 010 120
For more information about MPDCS and bookings visit their website: www.mossmanportdouglascounsellingservices.com.au