Counselling - Guide Dogs Queensland

The support you need to move forward with strength

Losing your vision and adjusting to life without sight can be a scary and confronting experience, but we’re here to support you.

Image of a woman talking to a Guide Dogs Queensland Counsellor

Your personal support

From your first diagnosis, our dedicated team are on hand to listen with empathy and guide you through your experience. We do all that we can to give you the support you need to understand and accept your vision condition, address any barriers you’re facing and look after your overall health and wellbeing.

What happens in a counselling session?

A one-on-one counselling session is an opportunity for you to talk openly to someone about the feelings and challenges you’re facing around vision loss. Counselling can often help you to build effective strategies that will help you overcome any feelings you might be experiencing and continue to live a fulfilling life.

Who can receive counselling?

Image of a man with a Guide Dog speaking to a Guide Dogs Queensland team member at a cafe

Anyone, any age, any stage

No matter how long you’ve had vision impairment or what the extent of your vision loss is, talking to someone can help. This includes:

People adjusting to recent vision loss
People experiencing a change in their level of vision
People with long standing vision loss
Carers, friends and family members of people with low or no vision.

You can access our counselling services on their own, or in combination with skills training through Occupational Therapy or Orientation and Mobility training.

Image of a woman with a cane and a Guide Dogs Queensland Counsellor interacting in a session

Where do the sessions take place?

Before starting a counselling session, our team will work with you to find or create a safe space to help you feel calm and supported.

Depending on what you are most comfortable with, we are able to offer counselling:

In your home
In a private space at our Training Centre
At a convenient time over the phone.

How can counselling help me?

Counselling provides a safe environment where you can explore and discuss any challenges you may be facing, your thoughts, concerns and feelings around your vision loss. This can help you with:

Understanding and accepting your vision loss

Developing strategies to cope with changes in your life

Improving your outlook and wellbeing

Making plans for your future

Overcoming barriers to your mobility and independence

Accessing additional information, resources and support

Bec’s story

It’s scary to go outside with barely any vision because your imagination just goes into overdrive. I spoke to some counsellors through Guide Dogs and gradually as my confidence and knowledge of the routes I was taking grew, that anxiety went away.

Bec,

Guide Dog handler

Meet the Counselling team

Our Counselling team is dedicated to helping all Queenslanders impacted by low vision or blindness to overcome the associated emotional barriers, learn to manage their feelings and look to the future with hope and confidence.

How the Counselling team can help you

In addition to offering personal support in private counselling sessions, they may also suggest group programs that may be useful for you to participate in, like the Better Living Program or the Volunteer Peer Support Program. Facilitated by our experienced team, these programs give you the chance to share with people in a similar situation and learn effective strategies to cope with vision loss from others.

Experiencing vision loss can be challenging. We’re here to help you understand the impact of vision impairment and support you to take care of your health and wellbeing.

Dr Janet Cheong, Psychologist

Guide Dogs Queensland

Learn more about your funding options

You may be able to access funding and assistance through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) to help cover the cost of support and training programs.

Learn more

Image of a woman cuddling her black Guide Dog

Learn more about your funding options

You may be able to access funding and assistance through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) to help cover the cost of support and training programs.

Learn more