New counselling service FeelBetter Limestone Coast is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of regional people.
FeelBetter Limestone Coast service owners and accredited social workers Celeste Raymond and Rachel Fenn share a passion for helping the community and a strong sense of social justice.
“We decided to open our own business because we saw there were so many gaps in our community in terms of needs that people have that were not currently being met by other services in our community,” Ms Fenn said.
FeelBetter Limestone Coast is located at 2 Mitchell Street in Mount Gambier and is a relaxed and comfortable space.
“We want to be warm and welcoming and not clinical, very relaxed so that people of all genders, ages, stages in their lives will feel comfortable coming into our space and that we are approachable,” Ms Raymond said.
The business has been off to a great start with referrals and clients and Ms Fenn said they had been quite overwhelmed with how many people had approached the service.
“It has been lovely to connect with people and realise that what we were thinking might be a need in the community does seem to be a need,” Ms Fenn said.
Ms Raymond and Ms Fenn have worked in the social work profession for more than a decade and have a wealth of knowledge between them, with extensive experience across a broad range of services, organisations and helping people in crisis.
“Between us we can really service the community in a way that if somebody comes to us with any sort of need, issue or problem we know how to approach that,” Ms Raymond said.
“We are not funnelled into just being a counselling or therapy service, we can do that alongside being able to provide very practical support for other stressors that people are experiencing.”
FeelBetter Limestone Coast is open to all ages, abilities and genders, from infants through to children, adolescents, adults and the older population and supports not only Mount Gambier but the entire Limestone Coast region.
“We feel really strongly that people in rural areas, there should be this equitable access to services, which is difficult, but I feel like it is what everyone deserves,” Ms Fenn said.
“Statistics do show that demographics in rural areas are more vulnerable to certain psychosocial issues like mental health issues or substance abuse issues.”
Ms Fenn said their service was very individualised and client-driven and relationship-based practice was at the core of the business.
“We do not know what service we are going to offer until the individual comes through the door, sits down and we talk to them and we are able to make that assessment of what their needs are,” she said.
“It is all about what they need at that moment in time and helping them work through that.”
Ms Raymond said client needs or concerns could include, but are not limited to, housing, domestic violence, mental health, substance use, relationship breakdowns and parenting concerns.
“Between Rachel and I we have worked across all of those areas, so people can come to us and we can really draw on our knowledge from all of those spaces and know how to help people with really anything,” Ms Raymond said.
“We have been approached by a wide range of clients and services including EAP supports and employment agencies.
“We are also NDIS Providers for all ages under Capacity Building NDIS Plan criteria, which is really positive for community to have another service able to provide these supports.
“Our passion is whole community wellbeing, including being part of the committee that drove the recent football mental health charity match ‘Switch the headspace Match for Mental Health.
“We are really pleased to be able to engage with community and meet such varied needs.
“We find that we naturally easily build rapport with clients, enabling us to help clients move quite quickly from feeling stuck or in crisis, to regaining control of their lives, which is really positive.”
Ms Raymond said they wanted to help people live better lives and be more equipped to run their own lives.
“Do not struggle on with your own struggles thinking you cannot go and talk to someone because we are here,” she said.
Ms Fenn said they also wanted to help people gain an improved understanding of their strengths and capacity.
“The lens that we come from is everyone has strengths and everyone has capacity and sometimes they just need a little bit of support to be able to realise that,” Ms Fenn said.
“I guess that is very much why it is so client-driven, because it is about the clients own strengths and what they bring to the table, and we are just providing that support to channel that.”
FeelBetter Limestone Coast has ease of access with no GP referral required and anyone needing support can call 87268142, email admin@feelbetter.au, visit www.feelbetter.au or drop in to the office.
