Details of the next Telephone Counselling Training Course

The next Lifeline Newcastle & Hunter Telephone Counselling Course commences with an orientation night at:
The Willows
342 Hillsborough Road, Warners Bay
Thursday, 10th February 2011
6.00pm to 9.00pm

Applications for this course close on the 10th February 2011.

Applicants need to register attendance at the compulsory orientation by calling the Lifeline administration on 49402000 - before this evening.
Applicants are to bring their completed application and supporting documentation to the compulsory orientation night.

If applicants are accepted into the course – the following compulsory dates for the course appear below:

  • ASIST Living Works – Suicide training
    Friday 4th & Saturday 5th March, 2011, 9.00am – 5.00pm (both days)
  • Saturday, 12th March, 2011, 9.00am – 5.00pm
  • Saturday, 19th March, 2011, 9.00am – 5.00pm
  • Saturday, 26th March, 2011, 9.00am – 5.00pm
  • Saturday, 2nd April, 2011, 9.00am – 5.00pm
  • Saturday, 9th April, 2011, 9.00am – 5.00pm
  • Saturday, 16th April, 2011, 9.00am – 5.00pm
    ***One week off due to Easter***
  • Saturday, 30th April, 2011, 9.00am – 5.00pm

For all Students offered a position as a Telephone Counsellor attendance is required at the Compulsory Stage 2 Day - Saturday, 7th May, 2011, 9.00am – 5.00pm

What's Involved?

The training course commences with a compulsory two day ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training). This must be completed over two consecutive days - Friday 4th & Saturday 5th March. Both days commence at 9.00am and finish at 5.00pm with a 45 minute lunch break.

There is also an E-Learning component to the course, so access to a computer and internet is essential.

Lifeline training is intense and sequential and missed sessions are very difficult to catch up. Location of the training is notified when a student is invited into the course.

The course covers a range of counselling related topics, social awareness issues, self awareness components and self care techniques. Large group training, small group work and the on line learning have been designed and combined to teach specific counselling skills and explore how Telephone Counsellors can assist callers, whilst at the same time setting boundaries and self caring. The training includes role-plays to practice new skills, competency assessments and the provision of honest constructive feedback.

Lifeline Newcastle & Hunter has a reputation for quality training. Skills acquired from the training can be useful in everyday life. Volunteer Telephone Counsellor's report that their involvement with Lifeline has opened up new opportunities in their lives. The experience gained at Lifeline may complement their other work, family life and other training courses in counselling, psychology or psychotherapy.

Applicants do not have to have any tertiary qualifications to apply for the telephone counselling course. Our Telephone Counsellor's come from all walks of life with a variety of life experiences. Lifeline does value each of our Telephone Counsellor’s skills and life experiences. However distressed callers need Telephone Counsellors to focus on their issue. Lifeline teaches the skills needed in managing this strategy.

Course Costs

The fee for the Telephone Counselling course is heavily subsidised, so there is a 12 month commitment required if you are invited to become a Telephone Counsellor. Not all those who complete the course are invited onto the phones.
The standard fee is $350.00  OR  if receiving a Government pension or holding a current pension or Health Care card, the concession fee is $250.00 (proof is required upon payment).

Once an applicant has been invited into the course we request that the course fee be paid in full or a non-refundable deposit of $155.00 be paid by the first training session. Then direct debit payment/s within the next month can be organised for the remaining course fee. We do accept cash, cheque or money order made payable to “Lifeline Newcastle & Hunter” or EFTPOS/Bankcard/Mastercard/Visa to the Lifeline Newcastle & Hunter’s receptionist at Tighes Hill.

Application Process

Please note, not everyone who applies for or commences the training program is guaranteed an outcome of becoming an accredited Telephone Counsellor.
Lifeline Newcastle & Hunter reserves the right to refuse or cease training or deny accreditation.

The information and application packs for the next telephone counselling course will be available by the end of December 2010. The packs will be sent to all interested applicants that have contacted our Administration office on 4940 2000 and registered their contact details.

The packs contain all of the information and dates for the next telephone counselling course and the commitments required of a Telephone Counsellor. All dates and commitments need to be checked by the applicant for availability before returning their completed application by the 10th of February 2011.

Please contact the Telephone Counselling Manager, Annette Cain on 4940 2000 or by email annette@lifelinehunter.org.au if you require further information or clarification.