Affordable counselling
for life's Rough Patches

About Rough Patch

Who We Are

Rough Patch is a non-profit social enterprise founded in 2020 challenging the dominant ways  we think about mental health care provision in Australia.

We started as a grassroots initiative in response to gaps in affordable counselling and increased demand for mental health services.

Our team of counsellors strive to be inclusive, non-pathologising, anti-racist, anti-ableist, weight-neutral, queer friendly and actively seek to further their education about these issues on an ongoing basis.

What We Do

We facilitate low-cost counselling on a sliding scale from $70-$160 per session, allowing clients the dignity of choosing their fee-for-service without requiring proof of income.

We also support trained, professional counsellors in private practice who want to be a part of our Community of Practice. Through this, counsellors thrive and clients access support in a timely and affordable manner.

Our Mission

We understand that mental health is deeply intertwined with the social and economic fabric of our society. Our wellbeing and overall happiness is not isolated from the world around us. It is influenced by our living conditions, work environments, and access to support.

By offering accessible and affordable mental health care, we aim to provide support while also advocating for broader social change.

Our mission is rooted in understanding that healing comes not just from personal growth, but from building a society based on solidarity, equity, and collective wellbeing.

How Rough Patch Works

Our unique model means experienced, professional counsellors reduce their usual fees to provide clients with counselling and support. This means that you get professional, affordable and convenient therapy with a counsellor that is a good match for you. 

In turn, Rough Patch provides our counsellors with access to an innovative, warm and supportive Community of Practice ensuring our counsellors have the resources and support they need to do meaningful work and deliver exceptional care.


Low-fee telehealth counselling

We have recently transitioned our services to fully online. This means you can access lower-fee counselling from the comfort of your home, via telehealth, anywhere in Australia.


We believe mental health care is not a privilege, but a fundamental right for all. By offering our services online, we’re making affordable mental health support more accessible.

 

Meet Our Counsellors

Our Community of Practice

We have built a warm and supportive community of practice for our counsellors. We understand that therapists can feel isolated or miss out on learning and support opportunities in solo private practice.

Our community gives counsellors the opportunity to learn from clinicians across a diverse range of specialties and backgrounds. Through case consultation, training and conversation, counsellors expand their clinical skills by being exposed to new perspectives and areas of expertise by their colleagues.

At Rough Patch we recognise that an inclusive, compassionate and supportive community of practice leads to inclusive, compassionate and supportive counselling.

We saved our clients

estimated total in fees with our reduced-fee counselling service in the past year alone.
$ 0

We provided

reduced-fee counselling sessions in the past year alone.
0

At Rough Patch

our fees are reduced by up to 70% of the market rate.
0 %

How to Support Us

We have recently transitioned our services to fully online. This means you can access lower-fee counselling from the comfort of your home, via telehealth, anywhere in Australia.

Volunteer

Make a financial contribution

Donate pro-bono training or consulting

Meet Our
Counsellors

Our counsellors in our Community of Practice are PACFA registered and licensed to work in Australia.

Our team strives to be inclusive, non-pathologising, anti-racist, anti-ableist, weight-neutral, queer friendly and actively seek to further their education about these issues on an ongoing basis. 

Counsellors understand that mental health does not exist in a vacuum and therefore aim to be culture-responsive.

Contact Us

If you have a question, you can visit our FAQ page to see if we already have an answer for you.

We are a small team mostly run by volunteers. If you don’t hear back, feel free to send us another message. Please also ensure you check your junk folder.

We appreciate your patience and will get back to you as soon as possible.