CatholicCare Victoria

I agree with Sarah! the separation counsellor (Epping branch) took the abusers' side and insinuated that I was the liar and manipulator. She told me and I quote, 'you can cry as much as you like, but if the family court doesn't agree to supervised contact, you have to hand your son over.' She also asked me 'are you really scared of him or are you just saying that?' Did not remain neutral and for a person who should be familiar with domestic violence and manipulators, seemed to have been manipulated herself. Very unprofessional. Do not recommend.

Based on family violence, I used the Epping branch. I told the counsellor not to communicate with my abuser who is also an alienator, based on advice from another professional who was providing excellent guidance. She ignored my request and sided with the abuser. She contributed to my trauma. The room was not set up for positive discussion but she sat me directly opposite the family member (almost to encourage conflict). They also had me wait 4/5 hour AFTER the appointment time to suit the abuser to drop the other family member off. I had an intervention order against my abuser and they did not recognise this. DO NOT use this service. See a holistic therapist or someone else right for your situation that does not support abusers. This organisation made things worse for me, not better. Absolutely disgraceful.