Student Counselling Service

Supporting students to thrive at Notre Dame

The Student Counselling Service aims to promote and enhance student wellbeing, support academic success, and help students navigate the challenges of university life. We are a free and confidential service, providing a safe environment for currently enrolled students to discuss a wide range of personal, psychological, and study-related difficulties.

Our aim is to help students develop strategies and skills to resolve or manage problems that they face while studying, so that they can achieve their personal and academic goals.

Our counsellors are highly trained registered practitioners who provide short-term individual counselling. If longer term counselling or support is required, appropriate referrals to another professional or community-based organisation can be facilitated by the counsellor. Booking an appointment with one of our counsellors can be helpful if you would like to discuss external referrals and additional support.

Our services are based between our Fremantle, Broadway, and Darlinghurst Campuses. Students located on the Broome Campus can access telehealth appointments with our counsellors. Please contact the Student Counselling Service to discover session times and availability.

The Student Counselling Service is not a crisis service and does not provide after-hours consultations. Please see immediate and urgent contacts below.

We look forward to connecting you with our Counselling Service.

  • Emergencies or crisis situations

    The Student Counselling Service is not a crisis service and does not provide after-hours consultations.

    If staff members or students require immediate and urgent assistance, then:

    Step 1: Ensure your safety and the safety of others
    Step 2: Contact 000 for emergency services
    Step 3: Advise Security

    Fremantle Campus Security: 0438 923 955, or for 24-hour support, 9433 0123

    Broadway Campus Security: 0403458011

    Darlinghurst Campus Security: 0406318213

    Broome Campus Security: 0475985197

    Students are also encouraged to download the Sonder app, which includes 24/7 health and wellbeing support for all our students.

    After Hours Emergencies

    If you require immediate and urgent assistance, please contact the following services:

    Police, Ambulance, & Fire (for life threatening emergencies)

    000

    Mental Health Emergency Response Line (WA Perth Metro)

    Mental Health Emergency Response Line (WA Perth Peel)

    Mental Health Emergency Line (NSW)

    1300 555 788

    1800 676 822

    1800 011 511

    Lifeline

    13 11 14

    Other counselling services that may be able to provide appointments in a crisis situation:

    Kidshelpline (up to 25yrs)

    1800 551 800


    Suicide Call Back Service

    1300 659 467

    Beyond Blue

    1300 224 636

  • Counselling appointments

    All information discussed during sessions at the Counselling Service remains confidential. It is important to be aware that any information provided is stored securely and is not available to a third party external service.

    The only exceptions are:

    • If you are considered at risk of causing serious harm to yourself or someone else
    • If reporting of information is required by law
    • If your file is subpoenaed by a court of law
    • If mandatory reporting obligations apply, such as child abuse or notifiable conduct of a registered health practitioner or registered health student practitioner or a registered health student

    Sharing information
    Consistency with privacy legislation, no client information can be provided to any other person without written consent. In circumstances where it is useful to share information you can choose to sign a Consent to Release Information form giving your permission to share information with a third party.

    Counsellors
    Our counsellors are registered Counsellors with the Psychology Board of Australia and/or members of the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia or the Australian Counselling Association.

    Your counsellor will:

    • Listen to your experiences
    • Establish goals with you to work towards
    • Help you identify ways to address your concerns and achieve your goals
    • Introduce you to other on campus and external support services
    • Help you access external specialist or longer-term counselling if required

    In your appointment your counsellor may:

    • Take notes
    • Ask you to complete psychological assessments
    • Invite you to participate in exercises
    • Ask you to complete tasks during the week
    • Recommend that you see a specialist external service

  • Meet our team

    Isabella Zaninovich - Counsellor (Fremantle Campus)
    Isabella is the National Team Leader for the Student Counselling Service. With a warm, empathetic, and person-centred approach to therapy, Isabella creates a compassionate and supportive environment for her clients. Her practice is rooted in kindness, calmness, and a genuine desire to help others achieve their goals. Isabella integrates a range of therapeutic modalities, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Mindfulness-Based Interventions. As a passionate mental health advocate, Isabella is committed to empowering individuals to overcome challenges and reach their full potential.

    Due to her position within the team, Isabella has very limited availability. Please contact Student Wellbeing Administration to enquire about appointments with Isabella.

    Andrew Winton - Counsellor (Fremantle Campus)
    Andrew is a clinically PACFA registered psychodynamic psychotherapist/counsellor, with over 26 years of experience in supporting individuals.  Andrew specialises in managing academic life, personal, relationship and family issues, life transitions, parenting issues, sexual and intimacy difficulties, spiritual issues and trauma. Andrew integrates a range of other counselling approaches such as schema therapy, DBT, CBT and existential interventions. Andrew has a reputation as a compassionate, empathic listener, with a desire to deeply understand individuals and their unique perspectives on life. Andrew is also an accomplished musician and a lifelong surfer.

    Please contact Student Wellbeing Administration to enquire about Andrew’s current availability. Andrew is typically available for appointments Monday – Thursday.

    Elysia Bullen - Counsellor (Fremantle Campus)
    Elysia is a registered counsellor and psychotherapist (PACFA) who completed her Master of Counselling at Edith Cowan University and holds additional training in gestalt psychotherapy (GTIWA). While Elysia’s therapeutic approach is grounded in gestalt therapy, she also draws from integrative and evidence-based interventions such as cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), internal family systems therapy (IFS), and schema therapy. Elysia also utilises mindfulness and somatic therapies where appropriate. Elysia's primary interest is in cultivating trusting, supportive relationships with her clients, which she believes is the foundation for meaningful change. As such, Elysia adopts a warm, relaxed and non-pathologising approach to therapy, and values creating a safe space where clients are supported to develop a deeper awareness of self, while fostering self-compassion. Outside of work, Elysia is an abstract artist, enjoys playing and listening to music, reading, and spending time in nature.

    Please contact Student Wellbeing Administration to enquire about Elysia’s current availability. Elysia is typically available for appointments Monday – Friday.

    Annie Keshet-Zhou - Counsellor (Fremantle Campus)
    Annie is a registered counsellor with both ACA and PACFA. She is trained in CCPT and integrates IFS, ACT, and mindfulness into her practice. Annie has experience supporting people across the lifespan, from children and young people and older adults. She values creating a therapeutic space that is warm, collaborative, and grounded in curiosity, where clients feel safe to explore their experiences at their own pace. Her approach is based on the belief that lasting healing comes through experiential change rather than insight alone. She also believes that every person possesses inherent strengths and inner resources that can be rediscovered throughout the therapeutic process. Outside of work, Annie enjoys island dancing, doodling, and spending time cuddling her dog.

    Please contact Student Wellbeing Administration to enquire about Annie’s current availability. Annie is typically available for appointments Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday.

    Tanya Hosken - Counsellor (Sydney Campus)
    Tanya views counselling as a purposeful and supportive conversation that fosters self-awareness, empowers choice, and creates opportunities for meaningful change. She holds a Graduate Diploma of Counselling, is a Clinical Member of PACFA, and has experience in NGOs and NSW Health supporting individuals with complex presentations. Tanya is passionate about helping clients navigate life transitions, grief, mental health challenges, stress, and relationship difficulties in a safe, empathetic, and non-judgmental environment. She draws on evidence-based approaches, including family systems theory, attachment theory, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and the Window of Tolerance framework to provide practical, effective support. With experience working across the lifespan and with people from culturally diverse backgrounds, Tanya brings an inclusive, compassionate, and strengths-based approach to counselling.

    Please contact Student Wellbeing Administration to enquire about Tanya’s current availability. Tanya is typically available for appointments Monday – Friday.

    Dimitri Antoniou - Counsellor (Sydney Campus)
    Dimitri is a PACFA registered Counsellor based on the Sydney campuses. Dimitri completed a Bachelor of Arts in Psychological Sciences from the University of New South Wales and is a Notre Dame alumni having graduated with a Masters of Counselling.  Dimitri has extensive experience working within the psychiatric inpatient/outpatient setting, predominantly focusing on group therapy for addiction. He also has experience with a range of individual presentations including anxiety, depression, anger, interpersonal difficulties and complex personality disorders. He is compassionate, warm and understanding towards his clients. He enjoys working with people to help them navigate their distress whilst being understanding towards what makes them unique as individuals. He adopts an evidence-based approach drawing from a range of theoretical modalities. In his spare time, he enjoys practising martial arts, playing golf and spending time with family and friends.

    Please contact Student Wellbeing Administration to enquire about Dimitri’s current availability. Dimitri is typically available for appointments Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.

    Beth Vila - Registered Pyschologist (Sydney Campus)
    Beth is a warm, empathetic, nurturing psychologist who is passionate about her work. Her gentle approach allows others to experience a positive experience of therapy, providing the foundation for effective growth. Beth is a firm believer that change is possible and works steadily with clients to achieve their goals. Beth has experience working as a psychologist in a variety of settings including: community mental health, conducting cognitive assessments, the not-for-profit sector and private practice. Beth utilises a number of therapeutic approaches including Cognitive and Behavioural therapies, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Her interventions utilise skills and strategies from: Solutions Focused Brief Counselling, Compassion Focused therapy and Mindfulness based techniques.

    Beth is currently on parental leave. Please contact Student Wellbeing Administration to enquire about appointments with Beth.

    Student Wellbeing Administration Officer
    Our Administration Officers play a vital role in supporting students by facilitating access to the various services offered by the Student Wellbeing team. They serve as the first point of contact, available via phone or email, and provide friendly, approachable support. Their responsibilities include directing students to the appropriate services, helping with the scheduling of counselling sessions, and coordinating Access and Inclusion appointments.

  • FAQs

    All currently enrolled students can access 12 counselling appointments per year and must confirm their student enrolment by providing their student number.

    All appointments are 50 minutes. Please note that if the session is delayed by more than 15 minutes you may be asked to reschedule your appointment.

    All appointments must be made by the client themselves. Students may not act behalf of students, nor can broader community members or family members make appointments of behalf of other students.

    Prior to your first appointment, you will need to arrive at least 15 minutes early to complete your intake and consent forms. Similarly, if you have a tele-counselling appointment, your intake and consent form will be sent to your student email address the day before your appointment and must be returned before the commencement of your appointment.

    Appointments can be scheduled fortnightly throughout the semester but at peak times, such as exam periods, you might have to wait longer for follow up appointments so that other students can also access the service within a reasonable time frame.

    If you are unable to attend your appointment and do not provide us with reasonable notice, this may be counted as part of your 12 available sessions per year.

  • General information about other Student Wellbeing services

    Access & Inclusion
    Access & Inclusion provides support to students with a disability, injury, medical condition, mental health condition or learning difficulty through the provision of reasonable adjustments and Learning Access Plans (LAPs). To be eligible for support, students must provide supporting medical documentation from their treating health practitioner. For further information about the support available from Access & Inclusion and to book an appointment online, please see here.

    Respect Officers
    University Respect Officers provide coordinated support to students who have been impacted by sexual assault, sexual harassment or gender based violence. Support is tailored to each student’s individual circumstances but can include connecting students to supports within the University and external resources, and with a student’s permission, coordinating support arrangements on their behalf so students do not need to keep re-telling their story. The Fremantle Respect Officer is available to meet with students in person, via zoom or over the phone. Students can book an appointment by phoning 08 9433 0879 or by emailing fremantle.respectofficer@nd.edu.au.

    Student Hardship Assistance Fund
    The Student Hardship Assistance Fund provides one-off grants to students impacted by financial hardship. Further information about the fund, including eligibility criteria and how to apply can be found online here.

    Grievances
    If you would like to raise a concern or complaint regarding any aspect of your involvement with the University, you are welcome to contact specialist staff who will provide you with support and information, and help you identify if the subject matter falls within the scope of the Procedure: Student Grievances or another University policy or procedure.

    If you wish to raise a Grievance or seek further information about the Grievance process, please contact the Student Grievance Officer on (08) 9433 0924 or by emailing student.grievance@nd.edu.au.

    If you are unsure which of our services could best support you, please feel free to email us at studentwellbeing@nd.edu.au

Contact us

Students are required to communicate with their registered Notre Dame student email address to consolidate appointment times and for general enquiries.

We are currently accommodating In Person appointments. Telehealth counselling services may be available to certain students who are enrolled in an online course, completing a practicum, live in regional or remote areas, or have special requirements.

All telephone and email contact are kept confidential, accessible only by Student Wellbeing administrative and counselling staff.

Fremantle Counselling Service
(08) 9433 0580
ND50/113, Customs House, 2 Henry Street, Fremantle
fremantle.counselling@nd.edu.au

Please be aware that the Fremantle Counselling Service phone and emails are attended Monday to Friday between the hours of 8.30am and 5.00pm (except for public and university holidays). We will do our very best to respond to any enquiries or messages within a timely manner.

Sydney Counselling Service
(02) 8204 4220
Broadway Campus: NDS5/531, Level 5 Pioneer House, Broadway
Darlinghurst Campus: NDS11/101 Level 1, Darlinghurst Road
sydney.counselling@nd.edu.au

Please be aware that the Sydney Counselling Service phone and emails are attended Monday to Friday between the hours of 8.30am and 5.00pm (except for public and university holidays). The counsellors may be available at Darlinghurst Campus on select days of the week. We will do our very best to respond to any enquiries or messages within a timely manner.