Support and Equity Services

Student and staff counselling

Student counselling

Professional, confidential and free counselling services are offered to students through Support and Equity Services. Stephanie Johnson, the Student Facilitator (Counselling), has expertise in working with people who are dealing with a wide range of personal, study and cross cultural issues. Information about local community services is also available through the student counselling service.

Staff counselling

Staff counselling through the Employees Assistance Service (EAS)

Charles Darwin University has an agreement with the Employees Assistance Service (EAS) to provide counselling for staff and their immediate family members. These services are designed to assist staff in leading a more healthy, productive and satisfying life.

The EAS is a non-government community based organisation that provides counselling, training and consulting to the Northern Territory workforce. They are located at:

Level 2, Highway Arcade

Stuart Park

Phone: 08 8941 1752

EAS provides a FREE short-term counselling service to assist with problems such as:

The purpose of counselling is to assist staff in working through personal problems which may be impacting in the workplace.

The counselling process involves talking with a trained and experienced counsellor who will assist in clarifying any problems you may be experiencing and working through methods of dealing with these problems.

It is recognised that a range of issues can impact on an employee’s work performance. These may be work related or of a personal nature. In most instances normal supervisory assistance will serve to address these issues. In some cases, however, neither the efforts of the employee or the employee’s supervisor have the desired effect of resolving the employee’s problems. Charles Darwin University and the NT Trades and Labour Council agree that it is in the interest of the employee, the employee’s family and the university to provide access to an employee service which deals with such problems originating outside the work environment.

As a pro-active measure the service is available to employees and their families whether or not unsatisfactory work performance is an issue.

How can I access the service

To access a counsellor, contact your nearest EAS office, make an appointment and advise your supervisor. Another person may make an appointment on your behalf, or alternatively contact the Director, Support and Equity Services, on 8946 6422.

If you live outside of Darwin, you can speak to a counsellor by using the toll free number 008 193 123. EAS also visits Nhulunbuy, Jabiru, Katherine, Tennant Creek, Alice Springs and Yulara.

EAS will arrange an appointment as soon as possible and advise you of the regional visiting schedule. Confidential counselling sessions normally last an hour and some may require one session, others more. The counsellor may, with your approval, refer you to a specialist should this be necessary.

Who pays for this service

This counselling service is free for you and your immediate a family members. For initial appointments, if attending during normal business hours, you will be regarded as being on duty but you should inform your supervisor.

Employees participating in on going counselling with EAS will be granted access to leave entitlements available in accordance with the provisions governing sick leave.

Charles Darwin University staff should be aware that the counselling service does not override or replace the university’s grievance or complaints processes.

For further details please contact the Director, Support and Equity Services on 8946 6422.

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