Online counselling and treatment services

Online counselling and treatment services are now widely spread in Australia, and two decades of research now support their ability to deliver positive mental health outcomes. These services are recommended by ReachOut Schools for use with students.

These services help with:

• crisis counselling and support

• mental health literacy and symptom recognition

• treatment and self-paced therapy.

Online counselling and one-on-one support

1800 RESPECT

24/7 national domestic violence and sexual support service. Telephone and online counselling.

All ages. Phone: 1800 737 732 Website: 1800respect.org.au

Butterfly Foundation web counselling

Live, one-to-one counselling service over the internet to anyone who is concerned about an eating disorder, disordered eating or body image problems. Run by professional counsellors.

Ages 14+

8am-12am AEST Mon to Fri (except national public holidays) Phone: 1800 33 4673 Website: thebutterflyfoundation.org.au

Kids Helpline Chat

24/7 online counselling and phone counselling service run by Kids Helpline.

Ages 5-25 years. Phone: 1800 55 1800 Website: kidshelpline.com.au

Lifeline Crisis Chat

Online web-counselling. Short-term support for people who are overwhelmed and having difficulty coping or staying safe.

Ages 15+ 7pm-12am AEST Phone: 13 11 44 Website: lifeline.org.au

MensLine Australia

MensLine Australia is a professional telephone and online support, information and referral service, helping men of all ages to deal with relationship problems in a practical and effective way. Available online and by phone 24/7.

Phone: 1300 78 99 78 Website: mensline.org.au

QLife

Counselling and referral service for people of diverse sex, genders and sexualities. Nation-wide, early intervention services to support Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual (LGBTQIA+) people of all ages.

Online 24/7. Phone: 3pm- 12am (AEST) Phone: 1800 184 527 Website: qlife.org.au

Suicide Call Back Service

Free nationwide professional telephone and online counselling for anyone affected by suicide. Available online and by phone 24/7.

Phone: 1300 659 467 Website: suicidecallbackservice.org.au

Online treatment

Butterfly Foundation online support groups

The Butterfly Foundation runs monthly Online Support Groups as part of its National Teleweb Support Service (limited places).

Ages 16+ Website: thebutterflyfoundation.org.au/our-services/support-groups/online-support-groups

E-couch

Self-directed online cognitive behaviour therapy program for young people experiencing anxiety, depression, grief and anger.

Ages 16+ Website: ecouch.anu.edu.au

Mental Health Online

Online anxiety assessment and treatment program, that also screens for 14 other common psychological conditions.

Ages 18+ Website: mentalhealthonline.org.au

MindSpot

National online and telephone treatment for anxiety and depression, with support contact from therapists arranged during assessment.

All ages. Website: mindspot.org.au

MoodGym

Online self-directed cognitive behaviour therapy program for anxiety and depression.

Ages 16+

Website: moodgym.com.au

MyCompass

Online mood tracking tool and treatment program for mild to moderate stress, anxiety and depression. Run by the Black Dog Institute.

Ages 18+ Website: mycompass.org.au

OnTrack

Online cognitive behaviour therapy and mindfulness based treatment program for people suffering symptoms of depression, alcohol dependence, psychosis and diabetes. Designed to supplement work with professionals.

Ages 18+ Website: ontrack.org.au

This Way Up Clinic

Guided online programs for managing anxiety and depression, that can be ‘prescribed’ by a mental health or allied health professional, plus a range of self-help resources.

All ages with the support of a professional. Website: thiswayup.org.au