The 5 Best Counselling Services in Melbourne That Can Help You Find Peace
Finding the right counsellor changes everything. But sometimes finding the right one is like trying to fit a square peg in a round hole. It’s frustrating and can make you feel even worse about life.
But you deserve good mental health support, and we’re here to help you get that. Whether you need a CBT therapist or just affordable counselling in Melbourne, we wanted to make sure no one has to be stuck without help.
We did the research and investigated which professionals in the city are worth setting up an appointment with. Here are the top counselling services in Melbourne that stood out during our search!
How much does it cost to see a counsellor in Melbourne?
It costs at least $100 per hour to see a counsellor in Melbourne. This is just an estimate. The final price will depend on the counsellor and how many sessions are needed
1. Melbourne Counselling Centre
Contact Details: +61 1300 018 255
Operating Hours:
- Monday, Wednesday – 8 AM to 5:30 PM
- Tuesday – 8 AM to 6:30 PM
What earned Melbourne Counselling Centre a spot on our list is their straightforward, no-pressure approach. We appreciate how they focus on providing a safe space for people to unpack what’s weighing on them.
One client who has been struggling with anger outbursts for years told us his counsellor taught him easy techniques to stay calm during arguments with his partner.
A couple we spoke to said they’d tried other counsellors before but never felt truly heard. Their counsellors helped them understand their communication patterns and gave clear steps to improve.
We also find it convenient that they offer a broad range of services, including anger management, anxiety counselling, and PTSD support.
Booking is straightforward and can be done all online. The follow-up emails and texts to confirm are helpful too.
They also offer a 100% money-back guarantee if their clients are not happy with their first session. One woman said knowing she could get her money back made her feel more comfortable taking that first step.
Their cancellation policy, though, is strict. Cancellations made the day before or after the reminder text are charged 50%, and no-shows or same-day cancellations incur the full fee.
Words cannot express
“In 2022 i have undergone TRTP through Anne and it has absolutely changed my life and turned my life around. I had so much truma from a divorce and family abuse that has been bottle up for years and felt unworthy and big failure in my life. Thanks to Anne i have succeeded more in life in 2 years then i have all my life. I have overcome my truma’s and have tackled life head on with a clear and peaceful mindset. Im no longer angry or triggered. After 2 years this is my genuine review i feel so much better iv accomplished so much in life in such a short time and happily re-married and enjoying the cream and the cherry on the cake. Words cannot express to those who have truma to undertake the TRTP program through Anne because everyone is valuable, life is valuable and the grass is always greener. Just believe in the process like i have and you will pick the fruit from the tree you have been watering. Thank you Anne so much..”
- furkz diesel Google Reviews
I highly recommend completing
“After a referral from a friend who spoke highly of Anne, I made contact for TRTP. I was initially worried that my anxieties would get the better of me and not be able to complete the process. Anne was able to reassure me, talk me through TRTP and I completed the sessions in May 2023.
I highly recommend completing TRTP with Anne and the results are instant. The ‘felt experience’ is amazing. I came out of this process a much calmer person who was no longer in flight or fight mode 24/7. I felt safe with Anne throughout this process.
A few weeks after TRTP my mother passed away and I have been working with Anne as a Counsellor to manage my grief. Anne has helped me through the stages that come with grief. I am very grateful to Anne for having a safe space to open up for what has been a very challenging time.
I highly recommend Anne and TRTP”
- Aron Chapple Google Reviews
2. The Hart Centre
Address: 1/4 Bank Pl, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Contact Details: +61 3 9018 9567
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday – 8 AM to 5:30 PM
The Hart Centre is well-known for its expertise in relationship and marriage counselling. Many of the couples we spoke with said their counsellors provided support that’s practical and grounded, unlike others who gave vague and generic advice.
One couple who were on the brink of splitting up told us their counsellor gave them practical ways to rebuild trust over time, rather than just telling them to “work on it”.
Another couple we spoke with said their pre-marriage counselling helped them to go into their first marriage prepared to handle any arguments that came up.
The Hart is also one of the few places in the city that offers narcissism counselling. We like that they help people learn to set healthy boundaries with loved ones who struggle with narcissism.
They also offer online counselling, which is great for those who can’t make it to in-person sessions. A client struggling with anxiety told us the online sessions allowed him to get the help he needed while feeling safe at home.
The catch? Because they have so many counsellors, the quality can vary a little from person to person. One client loved their first counsellor but had a less positive experience when they had to switch to someone else due to scheduling.
Fix our problems instantly
“I felt that me and my partner are slowly drifting away with each other and many things just collapsed instantly. With the help of francesco, me and my partner made deep conversations with each other and fix our problems instantly without any bad circumstances happening. With that, I really thank Francesco for helping the both of us arrange things in a good way. Thank you so much Francesco.”
- Chris, Google Reviews
Thoroughly professional in every way
“The Hart Centre have been thoroughly professional in every way, providing me with well-informed quality clients. From management to reception the Hart Centre are an outstanding organization.”
- Paula Dunn, Google Reviews
3. Melbourne Therapy and Counselling Centre
Address: Suite 17/981 North Rd, Murrumbeena VIC 3163, Australia
Contact Details: +61 3 9973 6256
Operating Hours: Monday to Thursday- 10 AM to 6 PM
Melbourne Therapy and Counselling Centre is a specialist clinic for anxiety, stress, and relationships.
They tailor their approach to each person using evidence-based methods, meaning they work with people to set specific goals and build skills they can use right away.
One man told us his counsellor helped him create a stress management plan that made him feel in control rather than just surviving each day.
We also like how inclusive they are. They offer support for everyone: men, women, adolescents, and couples. Both in-person sessions in Melbourne and telehealth across Australia are also available.
A young adult said their telehealth let her keep up with sessions even when she had to move away from Melbourne. She appreciated that her counsellor was attuned to her struggles and helped her find realistic solutions to the issues she faced.
The only downside is that they’re not a walk-in clinic. This means every single appointment needs to be booked in advance. So, this isn’t the place for anyone hoping to get help quickly.
I highly recommend
“Meg meets you where you are, while still helping you move forward.
That’s how I would describe my experience with Meg and the Melbourne Therapy and Counselling Centre. Meg is genuinely empathetic, thoughtful and kind in her approach. Through our sessions, I gained clarity and felt supported in life choices, which has been incredibly empowering.You will laugh, you will cry, you will learn and grow – can’t give enough stars! I highly recommend her to anyone seeking a therapist that balances compassion with practical, growth-oriented support.”
- Prerna Varma Google Reviews
best therapy professional I have had
“Having sought a wide range of therapy services over the last several years, I can wholeheartedly attest to Meg being the best therapy professional I have had the privilege to work with. From the very beginning, Meg established a safe, warm and compassionate space to help me work through life issues. She brings a rare blend of genuine empathy, laser-sharp insight and pragmatic wisdom to guide her clients through their hardships.
I couldn’t be more grateful for my journey with Meg this year and highly recommend Melbourne Therapy and Counselling Centre for whatever challenges you need a helping hand with.”
- Hang Google Reviews
4. Counselling Melbourne Clinic
Address: 47 Fitzroy St, St Kilda VIC 3182, Australia
Contact Details: +61 488 857 688
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 6 AM to 11 PM
- Sunday – 9 AM to 8 PM
Counselling Melbourne Clinic stood out for its holistic approach to counselling. This means they look at the whole self, not just mental health. They look at factors such as relationships, lifestyle, and values to help people feel balanced.
They also invest heavily in the initial consultation. The first session can be anywhere from 90 minutes to 2 hours long, so people can talk through their goals and concerns and ask questions.
One of their clients told us that the long first session helped her open up about everything, and her counsellor created a program to address it.
They also offer online counselling and cover a range of issues, including grief, divorce, marriage, and relationship support.
One patient dealing with grief said the holistic approach helped him work through his sadness while also focusing on taking care of his physical health.
That said, the holistic approach works well for some people but not for all. A few people said they wanted a more direct, problem-focused style, so it wasn’t the perfect fit for them.
Ronnie has genuinely changed my life.
“Ronnie has genuinely changed my life. I have no idea what would’ve happened to me without him. It’s not the traditional therapy where you just yap, he dives deeper and does somatic therapy where he helps you understand why some things trigger you and helps you heal those parts. There were things I thought would hold me back my whole life but he has shown me a way where life can be freeing and peaceful. I have recommended him to so many friends and would continue to.”
- Sarah S Google Reviews
Ronnie has been fantastic to work with
“Ronnie has been fantastic to work with. His friendly approach puts you at ease from your first session, I had never heard of Somatic therapy before and thought it was worth a shot, we have been working together for several months now and the results have been subtle, yet when I look back now we have worked on and resolved some seriously big issues, I had not put time into resolving. Thanks Ronnie for all your help.”
- Wilson king Google Reviews
5. Live Your Story Counselling & Psychotherapy
Address: 177 Roden St, West Melbourne VIC 3003, Australia
Contact Details: +61 3 9015 9595
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 10 AM to 7 PM
- Saturday – 10 AM to 1 PM
Live Your Story Counselling & Psychotherapy has built its entire practice around making people feel seen, especially those who’ve felt left out by traditional counselling.
We particularly love their Multicultural counselling. This is an approach that ties a person’s background, values, and life experiences into counselling.
They offer support in seven languages, including English, Mandarin, and Cantonese. There are also counsellors who speak Bahasa Melayu, Bahasa Indonesia, Thai, and Hakka.
One of their patients told us that being able to speak Mandarin made him feel more comfortable in expressing his concerns. Not having to translate into a second language also made him feel genuinely understood.
They cover a wide range of issues too, from cultural adjustment anxiety to family conflicts. They even help with generational differences and give support for neurodiverse people.
Another patient who speaks Thai shared that her therapist helped her work through workplace issues by talking about how her cultural values clashed with local office dynamics.
However, because they take time to tailor each session to cultural needs, wait times for specific languages can be longer than average. One person said she waited three weeks to secure a slot for a Hakka-speaking therapist.
Coby and Ted are great at counselling
“Coby and Ted are great at counselling and they understand me so well with Asian cultural backgrounds in relation to gender issues. The place itself is soothing and warm, I just love here <3”
- Ha Hik Google Reviews
It’s a great pleasure to cooperate with Live Your Story
“It’s a great pleasure to cooperate with Live Your Story and to provide language services as well as counselling to our clients at one go. A great professional team to work with! Highly recommended.”
- Translation Bridging Google Reviews