Outcomes of explicit affective practice : an evaluation of the counselling practice of the Goulburn Family Support Service

The Goulburn Family Support Service Inc. (GFSS) is a non-government organisation which offers a whole family approach to resolving conflicts arising from any issue. With limited resources (1.5 FTE Diploma qualified positions), staff counsel an average of 135 new cases per year in the Goulburn region. Clients, who come from across a range of socio-economic groups, are largely self-referred (50%), but are also referred through law enforcement and child protection agencies, schools and health care. A third of the clients are affected by drug and alcohol abuse and more than half by domestic violence. Approximately 40 per cent are high need cases.