Parent and Carer Counselling

Parent and Carer Counselling is available to parents and carers of children and young people impacted by cancer. 

• Camp Quality Parent and Carer Counselling supports parents and carers of children under 15. 

• Canteen Parent and Carer Counselling supports parents and carers of young people aged 12 to 25. 

There’s no set agenda. Sessions are guided by what’s happening for you and your family at the time, and what you would find most helpful. 

Some parents and carers come with a specific concern they want support with, while others use sessions as a space to reflect, explore options, build confidence, or navigate challenges as they arise. Your clinician will work alongside you to identify your priorities and develop practical strategies that fit your family’s circumstances. 

Our approach is practical, flexible and focused on what will be most helpful for your family right now. Sessions are guided by your goals and may include emotional support, communication strategies, resources and practical ideas to strengthen family wellbeing. 

Many parents and carers come with a specific question or challenge they want to work through. Others use sessions as a reflective space to consider what’s working well, identify next steps and build confidence in supporting their child or young person through cancer. 

Sessions are available Australia-wide via telehealth and can be accessed from wherever you are. Appointments are offered by Microsoft Teams video call or phone, Monday to Saturday, making it easier to fit support into family life. 

Our Parent and Carer Counselling sessions are delivered by qualified mental health professionals, including:

• Social workers
• Counsellors
• Psychologists

All clinicians have experience supporting children, young people and families impacted by cancer.

Support is flexible and based on your family’s needs. Some parents and carers find that a single session provides the guidance they need, while others benefit from a series of up to six sessions. Your clinician will work with you to determine the most helpful level of support. 

Where appropriate, we may offer joint parent sessions for partners, co-parents or carers who would like support around shared parenting goals, family communication and supporting their child’s wellbeing. 

These sessions focus on the impact of cancer on family life and helping parents work together in their parenting role. They are not relationship counselling. 

If your needs would be better supported through relationship counselling, family therapy, practical support, financial assistance, specific bereavement services, or more intensive community-based support, we will connect you with other services. Depending on your circumstances, we may also recommend individual parent sessions rather than joint sessions. 

No. Parent and Carer Counselling focuses on helping you support your child or young person and navigate the impact of cancer on family life. 

While we take a family-focused approach and may offer joint parent sessions, we do not provide relationship counselling, couples counselling or family therapy. 

If these services would be more appropriate for your needs, Cancer Hub can discuss referral options and connect you with specialist services, such as: 

• Relationships Australia for relationship counselling, couples counselling and family therapy 

• Penthos for specialised relationship support relating to grief and loss for bereaved parents 

• Other local health, wellbeing and community services that best match your circumstances 

Our goal is to ensure you receive the right support for your needs while continuing to support you in your parenting role. 

Yes. Parent and Carer Counselling is part of Cancer Hub’s broader support system. Where appropriate, your clinician may work alongside Cancer Hub’s Navigation Team to help ensure continuity of care, connect you with additional services and resources, and support your family’s changing needs over time. We also work alongside the Redkite team, who provide counselling for children and parents who have a family member under 18 years experiencing cancer. 

We also work closely with other cancer-specific organisations and community services across Australia to help families access the support that best meets their needs. 

No referral is required. You can contact us directly and we’ll help you find the support that’s right for your family.