Call to replicate free counselling model
A Rangitıkei practice that offers free counselling sessions is calling on other communities to follow its lead.
Despite a growing number of Kiwis seeking help for mental health problems, most struggle to access timely and affordable help, which can often lead to a crisis, counsellor Anna Sophia says. She has established a notfor-profit counselling practice in Marton, which provides free sessions five days a week.
Now in its 20th year, the Counselling Centre employs four part-time counsellors and is not affiliated with a church or other organisation.
High fees and long waiting lists were the main obstacles to face-to-face therapy, with most private practices charging $90-$150 for an hour-long session.
Sophia said talk therapy remained the most effective treatment for mild to moderate depression and anxiety. But it is not widely available.
Sophia has always fought for social justice, but instead of protesting the state of mental health services she decided to find a solution. Now, she is challenging others to do the same.
‘‘Counsellors should be paid and paid well, but I don’t think anyone should have to pay for counselling,’’ Sophia said. The practice has contracts with Oranga Tamariki and Whanganui District Health Board, which provide referrals, but the bulk of its money comes from lotteries and trusts. It costs $250,000 a year to run and leases out part of its building for extra income.
‘‘I thought this model, that’s been here 18 years in a community most people have never heard of, can be replicated elsewhere.’’ Last year, 240 new clients came through the door, most of whom couldn’t afford counselling. The district has a high unemployment rate and the average income is just above $20,000.
During their initial visit, clients are asked to fill out a questionnaire on what they hope to gain from counselling.
If clients feel they are not making progress, they switch counsellors or their type of therapy is altered. ‘‘I keep thinking it’s such a small town, we’re going to run out of clients, but we’re still getting 40 a week,’’ Sophia said.
In the centre’s last annual report, family doctor Andy Corser wrote he had noticed good results after referring patients. ‘‘Many people in Marton would be unable to use this service if it were not available at low cost.’’
Rangitıkei College principal Tony Booker said students who were referred to the centre were never kept waiting.
‘‘The centre’s services are vital to our rural district.’’