Counselling and Individual Support
Canteen counsellors are specially trained to understand the challenges cancer brings and you can talk to them about thoughts or feelings that you may find hard sharing with others. Our counsellors provide an initial 8-10 sessions either online or face to face.
Our counsellors can help:
- Develop strategies to deal with the impact of cancer on your life.
- Manage school, work, changing relationships with loved ones.
- Connect you with others in both face-to-face environments, and on digital programs.
Counselling and Individual Support FAQs
What kind of support do counsellors provide?
Counsellors are specially trained to understand the unique challenges cancer brings. They offer confidential, free support to help you manage the emotional, social, and practical impacts of cancer. This can include developing coping strategies, navigating school or work, and managing changes in relationships.
How are sessions delivered?
Sessions are delivered either online or face‑to‑face. Support is available no matter where you live, and you can choose the format that feels most comfortable for you.
Who can use Canteen’s counselling services and does it cost anything?
Canteen’s counselling services are completely free and available to young people impacted by cancer – whether you’re dealing with your own diagnosis, a family member’s diagnosis, or grief after a loss. Counselling is tailored to your individual situation and needs.
Where can I get counselling after being diagnosed with cancer?
Through Cancer Hub. Free professional counselling is available for every member of a family impacted by cancer, with separate pathways by age and audience.
For young people aged 12 to 25 with cancer or impacted by a family member’s cancer, Counselling and Individual Support (Canteen) is the dedicated pathway, with sessions in person, by phone, or online. For children aged 5 to 17, Children’s Counselling (Redkite) is the option. For parents and carers, including parents with cancer themselves and parents of a child or young person with cancer, parents counselling through Cancer Hub is available, alongside Online Support Programs for Parents and Carers (Redkite) for peer and expert support. After the death of a family member, Grief and Bereavement Support takes over.
You do not have to work out which counsellor to see or how to refer yourself. The Cancer Hub intake team identifies the right service for your situation and books the sessions.
Call 1800 431 312, or talk to someone on our team.
How can I find counselling for cancer patients near me?
Cancer Hub’s intake team handles this. Call 1800 431 312 and tell them where you are based and what your situation is. They will identify the right counselling pathway for you and book the sessions, including arranging the format (in person, by phone or online) that suits your circumstances.
The counselling services available through Cancer Hub are:
- Counselling and Individual Support (Canteen, 12 to 25),
- Children’s Counselling (Redkite, 5 to 17), parents counselling through Cancer Hub (for parents and carers)
- Grief and Bereavement Support (after a death in the family).
All are free. Most can be delivered remotely if you are not near a Canteen, Camp Quality or Redkite service site, which means location is rarely a barrier to getting connected.
When you are dealing with cancer or supporting a family member through it, finding the right counsellor is one of those tasks that gets put off because it feels too hard. Letting the intake team do it removes the friction.
Call 1800 431 312 or visit our support page to see how you can get in touch.
About Canteen
When cancer crashes into a young person’s world, Canteen is in their corner with whatever support they need. We provide individually tailored support to young people aged 12-25 and their parents.
Discover our other cancer services and resources
Counselling and Individual Support
Canteen counsellors provide specialised support through online or face-to-face sessions, helping young people cope with cancer’s impact.
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