Counselling allows you to have private and confidential conversations about issues that you may not feel comfortable talking to friends or family about. Counselling offers a place where you can be free to say what is going on for you without fear of it being passed on to others, and without being judged on what you say.

Unlike some other related fields, counsellors do share your records with medicare or other related departments. As someone with previous mental health issues, I also understand that you may not feel safe sharing your issues with other people, for a variety of reasons including unfortunate still existing stigma.

I follow the Australian Counselling Association ethical guidelines and do not disclose anything discussed in the session. You can be assured that what is said in the room, stays in the room. This is one of the main reasons people come to counselling, as the counsellor won’t be repeating the conversation anywhere else.

There are some rare legal exceptions to this relating to mandated reporting around harm. These are discussed before entering counselling.