Personal and relationship services

Most of us face personal difficulties at some point in our lives. These problems can affect our work, our relationships and our day-to-day wellbeing. If you are dealing with personal or relationship problems, a range of services and support can help.

Talking to someone often helps#

Often the best way to deal with a personal issue is to talk it through with another person.

There may be a friend, a family member or someone in your community you feel comfortable confiding in. Many people, however, find it easier to talk about their problems with someone they do not know.

If you would prefer that, you might consider speaking with a professional counsellor, social worker or psychologist. These professionals support people who are living with emotional, mental health and lifestyle problems.

Understanding yourself better#

A trained professional can help you understand yourself and your behaviour more clearly. They can also help to identify and treat a mental health condition.

To find professional support in your area, you can ask your doctor for a recommendation or contact a local community health service.

If you are affected by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, dedicated counselling and support services are available. You can also reach out to family violence support services in your local community. If drug or alcohol use is part of the picture, ask your doctor or a local health service about specialist treatment and support programs.

Relationship problems#

All families and couples have disagreements from time to time.

Disagreements are a normal part of healthy relationships. What matters is how they are handled. In respectful relationships, people talk through their differences and work towards compromise through honest, two-way conversation.

Sometimes underlying pressures, such as problems at work or financial stress, can cause family members to clash more often.

If you reach a point where you feel you can no longer manage these difficulties on your own, it is a good idea to seek outside help. It can often be easier to talk to someone who is not connected to the family.

You might already know a counsellor, or you could ask your doctor for a recommendation. Your local community health centre can also help, and many areas have relationship advice and counselling services for couples and families.

Violence or abuse is never acceptable#

If you are experiencing family or domestic violence, you are not alone, and help is available.

If you do not feel safe in your relationship, either emotionally or physically, it is important to seek the right help. Violence or other behaviour that feels controlling is not simply a “relationship issue”.

Specialist services can provide information and advice to anyone experiencing or affected by family violence, sexual assault or a relationship or separation problem. Many of these services operate confidential telephone helplines, and some are available extended hours, every day of the week.

If your difficulties are specifically related to parenting, look for a parenting support or advice line in your area.

Support for everyone#

Relationship and family services are available to people from all communities and cultural backgrounds.

If you would like help from a service that is welcoming to lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender diverse, intersex, queer and asexual (LGBTIQA+) people, look for an LGBTIQA+ friendly helpline that offers information, support and referrals for individuals, their friends, families and allies.

Family relationship services can provide:

• information about family relationships at all stages of life
• confidential help for families
• support through a separation
• mediation and family dispute resolution
• counselling and family therapy
• relationship and parenting skills education
• support for carers

Services that are sensitive to your cultural background can be arranged, and many can provide an interpreter if you ask for one.

Key points#

• Most people face personal or relationship difficulties at some time, and talking to someone often helps.
• Counsellors, social workers and psychologists support people with emotional, mental health and lifestyle problems.
• Disagreements are normal in healthy relationships; what matters is how they are handled.
• Outside help can be valuable when you can no longer manage difficulties on your own.
• Violence or abuse is never acceptable, and confidential support services are available.
• Relationship and family services are for people of all backgrounds and can arrange interpreters.

Where to get help#