Relationships Australia Victoria - Kew Centre - Kew, Victoria

Dominic E.

Staff are incompetent, biased and incapable of delivering solutions when it deviates from their script. Had it pointed out to me by other group members that I was being treated unfairly by staff in a group setting so I know I'm not imagining what's happening here.

Edit to add a highlight of the insanity: a session was done on communication, one group member mentioned how his wife had said "I'm fine" and the female facilitator proceeded to state that if women say they're fine it means they opposite. Not really sure what the goal of their programs are but it's certainly not conducive to a harmonious or equal society.

Gawain D.

I had one-on-one counselling at RA Kew over a number of months. My counsellor was incredibly helpful and understanding, talking through issues in detail, trying to find ideas that worked for me and referencing relevant research. The admin staff were always helpful and caring. A positive experience in difficult times.

Bianca F.

Awful experience. A lady rang me back to make my initial appointment. After an admittingly helpful start of the phone call, she asked me how old my child was, and then proceeded to change tone with "If you want my advice you and the father should get in a room and figure out how to parent together...". Coming from an abusive relationship, that comment was so out of line, unprofessional and incredibly inappropriate. With all of the education and discussion around domestic violence, that comment could be detrimental to a struggling parent. Especially coming from someone who is only qualified to be making appointments.

Innovatio E.

Reception staff are nice and helpful, however the family dispute resolution counsellors are unprofessional, discourteous and frankly should not be involved in any form of relationship counselling. I received an email from the mediator to advise me that ex had engaged them for FDR with attached information that if I did not attend, he would be given the s60i (her attached letter had my address wrong). I immediately emailed the mediator and explained that due to his initial refusal, I had engaged another organisation, Relationship Matters and had been given an appointment already prior to having received Relationship Australia's email. I asked for the counsellor's advice as to what I should do and indicated that I was more than happy to attend with her if we could be given expedited appointment. The email was forward onto her by her admin. After a week, I received no reply. I also left multiple voice msg with my current phone number. Eventually the nice receptionist had to email her again on my behalf. I then received an email reply from the same receptionist to include in the body of the email, an email response from the mediator, who apparently could not be bothered to email me directly. She alleged that she attempted to leave a phone msg but according to her, my phone allegedly was disconnected (there was no history of any phone call received to current phone number from her). I would not recommend Relationship Australia nor any organisations that purport to provide relationship counselling if their mediators do not know how to treat people with respect and courtesy. If you want respectful and professional relationship and counselling services, I would highly recommend the not-for-profit Relationship Matters instead.

SilverChef

Had a pre-meeting with my partner without my knowledge. Stating that women have a clearer understanding of what’s going on in the home. Biased from the beginning, my partner thought so too so we moved on.

Caitlin P.

The Right Now! Program run by the centre was extremely valuable and I'd encourage anyone eligible to participate.

Gabby C.

Katie and Lyn are so kind to me. They have tried to help me from many ways. I was a hopeless and depressed woman. Fortunately, I went to this place at the most darkness time of me. Best regards to you! I am so grateful about that things you do for me. Thank you.

Yeh M.

NO I DO NOT RECOMMEND ,Worse thing I ever did was contact this lot I came away more traumatized then before ,I rang because finnaly the state gov were offering free counciling yeh after 2 or 3 yrs after apology for past forced adoption sufferers and it was 1 day a week with im sure a student ...Yep that's all the gov deemed necessary for these sufferers where every other past wrong is addressed financially and more and we're still treated as 2nd class citizens