Mental health in older adults is a growing area of need, particularly for individuals receiving support through Home Care Packages. Grief, loneliness, adjustment to retirement, chronic illness, and caregiving fatigue are common themes that impact older Australians’ emotional wellbeing.
Through the Woods Counselling provides tailored mental health support for clients aged 65 and over (or 50+ for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples) receiving Home Care Packages. Our services can be delivered in-home, in aged care residences, or via telehealth to ensure accessibility. We also support clients with mobility or transport issues.
We offer both verbal counselling and expressive therapies such as art therapy. These approaches are gentle, engaging, and effective in fostering emotional resilience, social connection, and a renewed sense of purpose.
Our practitioners liaise with case managers and care coordinators to ensure our services complement the broader care plan. We offer joint sessions with family members or carers when appropriate, and we provide outcome reports, session summaries, and referrals to other services if needed.
Session themes can include life review, grief processing, managing chronic illness, adjustment to aged care, and reconnecting with purpose. For clients with dementia, we use validation therapy principles and creative approaches to promote engagement.
Example: Helen, 84, began counselling after her husband’s passing. Over 10 sessions, she explored her grief, rebuilt confidence in social settings, and initiated regular outings with her grandchildren. Her care coordinator noted that her mood and participation in activities improved significantly.
We accept referrals from care managers or families and offer a free consultation to assess fit. Services are billed hourly under the package with transparent pricing. We work to ensure mental health support is a consistent, valued component of aged care.