Accidental Counsellor

Learn the basics to support someone experiencing crisis.

4 hours

Accidental Counsellor

Participants will leave this workshop with a toolbox of basic skills that they can utilise to facilitate supportive conversations with colleagues and clients who are in crisis, highly distressed, or displaying angry, abusive or manipulative behaviours. 

Description

  • Blended learning, plus 4-hour workshop 
  • Virtual or face-to-face delivery 
  • Minimum of 6 and maximum of 24 participants  
  • Audience: Anyone, 16 years + 

  • Foundations training also available – 7 hours face-to-face classroom delivery or 5.5 hours virtually via Zoom. 

Participants will leave this workshop with a toolbox of basic skills that they can utilise to facilitate supportive conversations with people who are in crisis, highly distressed, or displaying angry, abusive, or manipulative behaviours. 

On completion, participants will be competent in the following: 

  • Responding to individuals in need of support and de-escalation. 
  • Active listening skills and ability to deal with the here and now of confronting situations. 
  • Learn how to ask openly about suicide and respond safely. 

Setting boundaries, self-care and self-reflection.  

Equipped with active listening, calming techniques, and effective gentle questioning skills, you will be able to apply to many contexts the confidence, skills, and knowledge developed through the training. 

Booking conditions & pricing 

  • Prices start from $2300 (including GST) for 6-15 participants.
  • Venue and catering costs not included.  
  • Additional participant fees apply. 
  • Available for delivery in the Illawarra and NSW South Coast (travel costs may apply). 

Our Workplace Training Offerings

Our training can be used for professional development, continuous education, manager support, or general awareness. Professionals may claim CPD hours/credits/points as a pre-approved or self-directed learning activity, with clearly defined learning outcomes and attendance certificates supporting reporting obligations. For more information, please refer to your professional association or regulatory body.

As well as the programs outlined below, we also offer contextualised sessions and bespoke workplace training, workshops, and presentations. Please reach out to us via email to training@llsc.org.au if you would like to discuss how we can work together to meet the needs of your team.

Why train with us?

Lifeline South Coast is a local volunteer-based charitable organisation, with over 55-years of experience providing crisis support. The knowledge and skills gleaned over this period have informed the development of evidence-based training programs that strengthen the resilience and resourcefulness of our South Coast community.

Passionate about building individual and community resilience and educating people to reduce stigma surrounding mental ill health and suicide, the Lifeline South Coast training team is made up of a diverse group of skilled trainers. Working together to ensure people do not have to face their darkest moments alone, each trainer brings their unique voice, expertise, and experiences to the team. Utilising a flexible format to encourage interactive participation and increase learner engagement, the team are adept at contextualising training to ensure the content is relevant and practically applicable to individual workplaces, as well as every-day life.

 
 
 
The Cost of Mentally Unhealthy Workplaces

Supporting the mental health and wellbeing of employees is essential to maintaining a safe and supportive working environment. When looking at the cost of mentally unhealthy workplaces, studies have shown that:

  • 91% of employees think mental health is an important workplace issue, however only 52% believe their workplace is mentally healthy.
  • 1/5 Australian employees report that they have taken time off work due to feeling mentally unwell in the past 12 months.
  • $10.9 billion per year = the cost of mental health conditions on Australian workplaces (including absenteeism, presenteeism, and compensation claims).
Fostering Mentally Healthy Workplaces

A mentally healthy work environment is one that promotes a positive and inclusive culture where staff feel appreciated and supported. Studies have shown that cultivating such a workplace culture not only benefits individual employees, but has a profound impact on the organisation as a whole:

  • 3/4 of Australian employees say a mentally healthy workplace is important when looking for a job.
  • $1 spent creating a mentally healthy workplace results in a positive return on investment (ROI) of 2.3.
  • Mentally healthy workplaces enjoy increased staff engagement, performance, and productivity, and are better able to recruit and retain talent.

We’re proud to have delivered training to 

For 24-hour telephone crisis support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14

If life is in danger, call 000

Lifeline South Coast would like to acknowledge the lives that have been lost to suicide. We are committed to supporting those with a lived experience of suicide and aim to reduce the stigma around seeking help for poor mental health and suicidal crisis.