Inclusivity and cultural safety

01 / RESPECT BEGINS WITH LISTENING

Respect begins with listening

The Counselling Wollongong Studio is committed to person-centred, trauma-informed and inclusive counselling. We welcome Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, LGBTQIA+ people, including Sistergirls and Brotherboys, and people from regional and remote communities.

Cultural safety cannot simply be declared by a practitioner. Your experience, choices and feedback matter in understanding whether counselling feels respectful and suitable for you.

02 / WHAT THIS MEANS IN PRACTICE

What this means in practice

• Listening to how you describe your identity, culture, family, relationships and community.
• Respecting your name, language and pronouns, without expecting you to explain or defend your identity.
• Recognising the effects of colonisation, racism, discrimination, ableism, sexism, homophobia and transphobia on wellbeing.
• Making space for Country, culture, spirituality, story and lived experience when you choose to include them—and respecting when you do not.
• Working to reduce shame and blame, while acknowledging harm, strength, resistance and survival.
• Using clear information and welcoming feedback when something does not feel right.

03 / YOUR NEEDS AND CHOICES

Your needs and choices

You are welcome to discuss language or interpreter needs, sensory or mobility needs, communication preferences, cultural obligations or support-person involvement. You can share only what feels necessary to arrange a suitable service.

We will discuss what can reasonably be accommodated. Interpreter availability, premises accessibility or a particular adjustment is not guaranteed before it is confirmed with you. If this practice is not the right fit, other options or referrals can be explored with you.

Couples and families are not expected to fit one model of relationships or family life. Family therapy is offered for ages 11 and over, with suitability, safety and consent considered individually.

04 / ACKNOWLEDGING COUNTRY

Acknowledging Country

We acknowledge the Dharawal people as the Traditional Custodians of the lands and waters of Wollongong, and pay respect to Elders past and present and to the continuing connections between Country, culture and community.

This acknowledgement recognises continuing connections to Country; it does not imply that every service is delivered at a particular physical location.

05 / WHEN SOMETHING NEEDS TO CHANGE

When something needs to change

If you encounter an access barrier, feel misunderstood or have a concern about cultural safety, you can raise it directly in counselling. You can also use the separate feedback, complaints and privacy form. You do not have to continue with a conversation or disclose more than you feel comfortable sharing to explain a concern.

See our Accessibility statement and Feedback and reviews policy for further options.