Benestar - Sydney, New South Wales

Laura B.

Felt like I would get more support from a 5 minute online chat with Beyond Blue. The lady I spoke to was nice however all she could keep saying was "ok yep just breathe, just breathe through it". Then every 5 minutes "what kind of emotions are you feeling right now?". Long pauses after I finished speaking and then more of the "ok just breathe...." insanely irritating and I didn't feel like I was being truly listened to. I needed a conversation, not to be told to just breathe. Got off the phone feeling completely irritated and disappointed I experienced another example of our failing mental health system.

Meg F.

I would give negative stars if I could.

However, this is only my experience with one of the counsellors I engaged with, and is not representative of others.

The person who provided me service was extremely inattentive, unprofessional and even dismissive towards her clients.

She showed no interest in engaging in conversation and just coldly stares at her client’s eye. Not only did she neglect to take notes or offer any meaningful advice, she literally said "yeah whatever" to a question asked. Her phone also went off once during the appointment.

I feel insulted after the appointment, and had anyone be in a more vulnerable position than me, this could have been escalated into a medical incident. She should not be in a position talking to people who are already suffering from mental issues, as having an appointment with her will only exacerbates their suffering.

Avril L. J.

I have yet to access the service I requested a good while ago. Took them a long time to get back to me- I needed to send a reminder about my request. Then two appointments in succession were cancelled using an insulting sms that said they had been trying to contact me - they hadn't- one an hour and a half before my appointment and the next an hour and a half after it was supposed to happen. A lovely clinician assisted me with making an appointment with her when I turned up for my second non appointment. She had to take time out from seeing another client in order to do so. I have no doubt she will be really helpful but the service is entirely unsuitable for someone needing mental health support. I think my employers who have contracted this service are being taken for a ride. I have reported the bad service to them.

Troy L.

Was using Benestar through my work's EAP. Call was.meant to start at 5. No call. Called them at 5:20 to see what was going on..."someone tried to contact you today to say the appointment couldn't go ahead because something came up"

No one tried to contact me. I said that and the lady on the phone said that it's in the notes so that's all she can go by. I said that it wasn't acceptable and that if I was to cancel a call, the day of an appointment, I'd lose it.

This is the second time I've been let down now.

Rudy L.

Previously i was not quite sure whether I should go with Benestar, especially when looking at other reviews about Benestar. There might be few therapists are not capable or doesnt suit. I remember when my first session went so bad. She was not capable at all. She just basically listening without saying anything and was not capable at all. Then I called again to find another therapist. Then I spoke with ‘Annelise’ She is so wonderful, professional and kind. For me she is like a fairy godmother. After couple of sessions with her, finally IT WORKS! Method works well.

I can feel myself awakened or become a new person. She has great techninques to solve my problem which i should have done and realised long time ago. Thank you so much!

Justine C.

I needed a counselling session from an incident that happened last month in the building where I work part-time. I felt welcome by Lauren the moment I arrived for my appointment; and the space was inviting and relaxing. My counselling session with Catherine went by so fast, yet I liked how Catherine helped me see many different angles and perspectives from this incident, of which allowed me to shed a few tears and move on/forward with my life again; all in one session. Her encouragement to help me move forward with a new side hustle was second to none. As a result, I took major action today to assist in getting this side hustle off the ground, despite being in a pandemic. Catherine was a caring, enthusiastic therapist. Thank you so much.

Roberta C.

Terrible experience. I agree with what has been said in other reviews. When you actually reach out for help, these people don't help at all especially knowing how emotionally vulnerable you are, and they make of much worse!! Don't go to these people at all.

I definitely didn't feel cared after, the whole booking process was terrible, terrible service. Rebecca one of the counselor was actually nice, but another one I saw after, made me leave in tears.

Rachael D. Z.

Terrible service. Took six business days to even set up an appointment. They sent me an appointment time I couldn't do - when I specifically said I don't work that day due to parenting commitments. And the appointment they set is not for another seven days. If you were really in crisis you are better off calling Lifeline.