Applications for telephone counselling training close on Monday 1st February for the March – June program.

Applications for training in the second half of the year will re-open in April.

• Sydney Information Session  Tuesday, the 2nd of February, 2010 – 6.00pm - 8:00pm 
• Ashfield Information Session  Wednesday, the 3rd of February, 2010 – 10:00am -12:00pm
• Sutherland Information Session  Thursday, the 4th of February, 2010 – 10.00am - 12:00pm

Becoming a Lifeline Telephone Counsellor is a journey that will enrich your life. There are several Lifeline Centres in the Greater Sydney Area. These are located at Balgowlah (9949-5522), Gordon (9498-8805) and Westmead (9891-6212). Please contact these centres directly if they are more convenient for you.

What does the training involve?

Our initial training course for telephone counsellors is conducted twice a year, commencing in February and July.  In 2010 we are planning to hold training at each of our three sites:

• Sydney city site - Tuesdays from 6.00pm to 9.00pm
• Ashfield site - Wednesdays from 10.00am to 1.00pm
• Sutherland site - Thursdays from 10.00am to 1.00pm.

This course covers a range of counselling related topics. Lectures, small group work and on line learning have been designed and combined to teach specific counselling skills and explore how telephone counsellors can assist callers. The training includes role-plays to practise these skills, assess competency and provide feedback.

Lifeline Sydney & Sutherland has a reputation for quality training. Skills acquired from the training can be useful in everyday life. Volunteer telephone counsellors report that their involvement with Lifeline has opened up new opportunities in their lives. The experience gained at Lifeline may complement other training courses in counselling, psychology or psychotherapy.

NB: During the third week of training trainees are required to complete the ASIST course (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training). This must be completed over two consecutive days (please refer to the Calendar of Training for specific dates.

See the calendar and curriculum for our next course, commencing with the Information Session in February 2010:

• Lifeline Sydney calendar of training
• Lifeline Ashfield calendar of training
• Lifeline Sutherland calendar of training

Course Fees

The course fee is $495 (No GST). Please note that this is a subsidised fee which does not cover the full cost of the training. The fee covers:

• 15 week telephone counsellor training course
• Training materials
• Two day ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) course and workbook
• Ongoing professional development and supervision

We request payment in full by cash or credit card on or before the first night of training.  For information on our refunds, please see our student handbook.

Assessment and Certification

Assessment occurs throughout the training process with feedback and ongoing support provided. Once you have successfully completed the training course it is up to Lifeline to invite you to become a volunteer telephone counsellor. 

Do you want a national qualification?

Lifeline is an RTO (Registered Training Organisation), this means you can also complete a Certificate IV in Telephone Counselling Skills (CHC41002). The benefits include:

• Nationally accredited qualification recognised throughout Australia
• Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for other nationally recognised qualifications
• Membership of professional organisation
• Pathways to selected university qualifications.

Volunteer Commitment

Telephone Shifts

Our volunteer telephone counsellors perform a regular fortnightly shift of four to five hours, which amounts to 100 hours a year. We have a 24-hour roster and shifts are allocated to suit you. Beds, bathroom and kitchen facilities are available for your comfort. Each year, we request telephone counsellors complete four 6-hour or three 8-hour overnight shifts.

Supervision

Telephone counsellors in their initial year are required to attend supervision sessions initially on a monthly basis, for three months and then quarterly for the remaining nine months as part of the accreditation process. Accredited counsellors are required to attend supervision every 3 months which equates to four supervision contacts per annum. All telephone counsellors are required to attend at least one individual supervision session and at least one skills-based supervision session per annum.  There are also group supervision sessions available.

Counsellor Development

Telephone counsellors in their initial year are required to attend 3 counsellor development sessions. Accredited counsellors are required to attend 2 counsellor development sessions per annum.

Volunteer telephone counsellors are expected to adhere to Lifeline Sydney & Sutherland policies and procedures and fulfil accreditation and re-accreditation requirements.

Application Process - Apply Online

All training is provided, no formal qualifications are necessary. There is a selection process and course numbers are limited. Applicants need to be at least 21 years old, mature, caring and non-judgmental.

Please check your availability for all training dates before applying for the course. Enrol for the Information Night by applying online  

Your attendance at the information session is required if you wish to enrol in the course.