South West Counselling Inc. began in 1982 as a mobile counselling service, founded by local advocates who recognised the urgent need for accessible, compassionate mental health support in the South West.

Over the years, the service has grown into a well-respected, not-for-profit, charitable organisation providing counselling and advocacy across the region.

Our core mission is to support emotional wellbeing at every stage of life—from children and teens to adults, couples, and families—through professional, affordable counselling services.

What sets us apart is our whole-of-family approach. Whether a family is facing separation, parenting stress, or individual mental health challenges, we can provide coordinated support through child therapy, couple therapy, and family therapy—ensuring each person is heard and supported within the broader family system.

Counselling is available Monday to Friday from our Margaret River office, with minimal wait times and a welcoming, client-centred approach.

 Can you share an example of how your service has made a real difference in someone’s life?

A family navigating relationship breakdown, trauma, or significant loss may come to us in distress, unsure where to begin. The parents might engage in couples counselling to rebuild communication and emotional connection, while their child or children access play therapy to safely process changes at home. Together, the family may participate in family counselling to develop shared understanding and healthier ways of relating.

Over time, this integrated support often leads to greater emotional stability, deeper empathy, and stronger relationships within the family system. These are the transformations we witness every day—and they represent the heart of what we do: creating space for healing, connection, and lasting change.

What are the most pressing mental health needs you’re seeing in the South West right now?

The most pressing issues we’re seeing in the South West include depression, anxiety, financial stress, family separation, health-related challenges, relationship issues, trauma, parenting stress, and family and domestic violence. Many people are feeling overwhelmed, isolated, or stretched beyond capacity. Demand for accessible mental health support continues to grow, especially support that understands the complexity of family systems.

How do you collaborate with other services or community groups in the Margaret River region?

As a place-based service who has been consistently working out of the Margaret River Community Centre for many years we have developed relationships with many other services in the Margaret River region. We receive referrals from a wide range of other services including other local community services and government departments, health professionals, schools, GPs, private practitioners, and allied health providers. These strong partnerships help us respond holistically to clients’ needs and reduce service gaps. We value being part of a collaborative care network in the Margaret River region and beyond.

Who can access your services, and how easy is it for people to reach out for support?

Our service is open to everyone—self-referrals are welcome, and we accept referrals from professionals, schools, and community organisations.

We offer low-cost counselling sessions Monday to Friday from our Margaret River office, delivered by a team of seven skilled counsellors with a range of specialist expertise.

For clients who face barriers attending in Margaret River, we can arrange sessions in surrounding areas such as Augusta or Cowaramup, depending on individual circumstances.

We also provide Employee Assistance Program (EAP) counselling for a number of local organisations—a valued in-person alternative to the telehealth services offered by many large providers. NDIS-funded sessions are also available.

Getting in touch is simple—via phone, email, or our website—and every person who contacts us is welcomed with warmth, confidentiality, and genuine care.

Are there any upcoming projects, events, or goals you’re excited to share with our readers?

We are grateful to have received funding through the AMR Shire’s Community Support Services Grants, which has enabled us to expand to five days per week in our Margaret River office.

With seven counsellors now available in our Margaret River office —each bringing a diverse range of specialist skills—we can provide tailored support to children, teens, adults, couples, and families.

As part of this growth, we are also expanding our outreach capacity to better support clients in surrounding areas, including Cowaramup and Augusta.

Looking forward, we’re excited to deepen our community engagement through local events, fundraising efforts, and new collaborative partnerships across the region.

What message would you like to share with someone who might be struggling but hasn’t yet reached out for help?

If you’re finding things difficult right now, please know—you are not alone. Reaching out for support can feel daunting, but it’s a powerful and courageous step toward healing and change.

Whether you’re facing a relationship challenge, parenting stress, emotional overwhelm, or simply feeling stuck, we’re here to listen, support, and walk alongside you—without judgement and at your pace.

You don’t have to carry it all on your own. Help is here when you’re ready.