Preparing for a Supportive First
Counselling Session
Free. Confidential. For all neuroendocrine cancer patients and carers at any stage of their diagnosis.
Patient Intake Form
Please complete the online intake form below before your first counselling appointment.
This information helps your counsellor prepare for your session and provides important background information that supports your care. If you’re unable to complete the form beforehand, don’t worry – your counsellor can go over it with you during your first appointment.
What to Expect at Your First Appointment
It’s natural to feel a range of emotions before your first counselling session, including some anxiety. Our goal is to make you feel supported and comfortable throughout the process.
The Initial Session
During your first appointment, the counsellor will:
- Outline the Counselling Process: We’ll explain how your records are managed, confidentiality, your rights and responsibilities, session length, our cancellation policy, reminders, and other relevant details.
- Introduce Themselves: Learn a bit about your counsellor’s background and their approach to counselling.
- Discuss Your Background: We’ll talk about your background, culture, and beliefs to ensure a culturally safe and respectful environment.
- Listen to Your Concerns: Share your current stresses, symptoms, and how they impact your daily life. We’ll assess these factors to better understand your needs.
- Ask General Questions: We’ll gather information about your family history and health to gain a broader perspective.
- Get to Know You: You’ll have the opportunity to ask questions, and we’ll work to understand you and your situation more deeply.
- Complete Screening Tools: You may be asked to fill out relevant screening tools to help guide future sessions.
- Explore Coping Skills: We’ll review your current coping strategies and support system, offering suggestions for improvements if needed.
- Set Counselling Goals: Together, we’ll explore your goals for counselling and create a plan to work towards them.
- Prioritise Focus Areas: We’ll decide together which issues to prioritise in your treatment.
Counselling Intake Form
Moving Forward – Your Ongoing Appointments
Following your initial appointment, your counsellor will work with you to tailor sessions to your unique needs and circumstances. There is no fixed limit to the number of sessions; we’ll work together to create a plan that feels right for you. Initially, regular appointments are recommended, and over time, sessions may be adjusted to fit your personal needs and availability.
Scheduling or Rescheduling Your Appointment
You’ve already made the first step and we’ve scheduled you into your first session, our counsellor looks forward to meeting you. We understand from time to time your circumstances change and you may need to reschedule. If so, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our NET Nurse.
Confidentiality
Anything you discuss with the counsellor is confidential. At times, the counsellor may be required to talk to other health professionals, family members, or by law to other organisations, though generally this will be discussed with you first.
NET Nurse Hotline
Multilingual Line Support Details
NeuroEndocrine Cancer Australia are pleased to announce that we can now offer our NET Nurse service to those who speak a language other than English, via the National Translating and Interpreting Service, for the cost of a local call (except for mobiles).
To access this Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National), simply follow these steps:
- Call 13 14 50, Monday to Friday 9.30 am – 4.30 pm.
- Say the language you need.
- Wait on the line for an interpreter (may take up to 3 minutes).
- Ask the interpreter to contact NeuroEndocrine Cancer Australia on 1300 287 363
- Talk with our NET Nurse with the help of an interpreter.
We look forward to being of service to all English and non-English speaking patients and families.
