A Rockhampton counselling service, which has helped guide thousands of young people to a brighter future, has celebrated a major milestone.
Carinity Wahroonga has marked 30 years of providing free psychological therapy to help young people through issues such as anxiety, depression, grief, bullying and trauma.
Breanna Packer received counselling from Carinity Wahroonga therapists while suffering from depression, anxiety and self-farm during a “dark phase” in her early high school years.
The 26-year-old recalls the empathy of the “beautiful people” at Carinity Wahroonga who supported her and “paved the way” to better mental health.
“I’m grateful to have had the support at a time when I was very low. It’s very important to have someone help you through your battles,” Breanna said.
“During our life we have some struggles but it’s important to know there is support available. I’m thankful for the help Wahroonga gave me in taking that first step.”
Inspired by the support she received, Breanna went on to complete a diploma in counselling. She now works as a high school chaplain and is studying for a psychology degree at university.
Carinity Wahroonga currently provides long-term therapeutic intervention to young people, aged five to 18 years, who are in the Child Protection Program.
Carinity Wahroonga works towards assisting young people to “gain as much ‘normalcy’ in their life as possible”.
“The children who attend our centre usually display significant problems in all areas of functioning. They have observable difficulties in identifying, regulating and managing their emotions,” Program Coordinator Janine Haddon said.
“They have great difficulty with relationships with people in their lives, either school peers, teachers, carers, parents or siblings.”
“We observe them being able to build and sustain relationships, function better academically, and be able to partake in ‘ordinary’ childhood activities such as friendships and sporting activities – simple things that we all take for granted,” Janine said.
“Our biggest desire for these children is that they are able to grow up and lead full and productive lives without ongoing difficulties, and that there is a discernible break in the generational violence that often is their story.
“It is our hope that once the children leave therapy, they are able to function better in all areas of their life. The Wahroonga therapists and I feel privileged to be able to make such a positive impact on these children’s lives.”
