Suicide & Suicidal Ideation Counselling in Melbourne
1 in 6 Australians (16.7%) have experienced suicidal thoughts in their lifetime (ABS 2020-22), and 3.3% experienced them in the past 12 months. If you are having thoughts of suicide, you are not alone, and those thoughts deserve to be taken seriously — not dismissed, minimised, or met with panic. Notably, 74.9% of people with recent suicidal thoughts also had a mental health disorder (ABS), which means treating the underlying condition is often central to reducing suicidal ideation. 29% of Australians experiencing loneliness reported suicidal thoughts (Beyond Blue 2024) — isolation and disconnection are powerful risk factors that therapy directly addresses.
How does therapy help with suicidal thoughts?
I work with people experiencing suicidal ideation in the context of ongoing therapy at my Carlton, Melbourne practice and online. I take a careful, compassionate approach that takes the pain seriously without amplifying it. Suicidal thoughts are almost always a response to unbearable psychological pain — and understanding that pain, and finding ways to reduce or tolerate it, is the work of therapy.
In my experience, people who are thinking about suicide don’t necessarily want to die. They want the pain to stop. Therapy works by addressing the sources of that pain — the depression, hopelessness, isolation, trauma, relationship breakdown, or chronic sense of being a burden that can make life feel unbearable. When those underlying drivers are treated, suicidal ideation typically reduces significantly.
What can you expect from therapy for suicidal thoughts?
Therapy for suicidal ideation at my practice involves:
- A safe, non-judgemental space to talk openly about what you’re experiencing — without alarm, dismissal, or pressure
- Understanding the drivers — what conditions in your life, relationships, or mental health are making the pain feel unbearable
- Collaborative safety planning — developing practical strategies together for managing moments of acute distress
- Treating underlying conditions — depression, anxiety, trauma, and other issues that frequently accompany suicidal thinking
- Building connection — addressing the isolation that often surrounds suicidal ideation, and restoring a sense that life can hold meaning
I am not a crisis service. If you are in immediate danger, please contact a crisis service (details below) or go to your nearest emergency department. Once you are safe, therapy can begin the longer work of understanding what brought you to this point and building a life that feels more worth living.
What should I do if someone is suicidal?
If someone you care about is expressing suicidal thoughts: take it seriously. Don’t dismiss it as attention-seeking. Ask directly if they are thinking about suicide — asking does not plant the idea. Listen without judgement. Encourage them to seek professional help. If you believe they are in immediate danger, don’t leave them alone — call Lifeline (13 11 14) or take them to the nearest emergency department.
Sessions are self-funded at $120. No referral is needed. Message me on WhatsApp or book online.
Frequently asked questions
What should I do if someone is suicidal?
Take it seriously. Don’t dismiss it as attention-seeking. Ask directly if they are thinking about suicide — asking does not plant the idea. Listen without judgement. Encourage them to seek professional help. If you believe they are in immediate danger, don’t leave them alone — call Lifeline (13 11 14) or take them to the nearest emergency department.
How does therapy help with suicidal thoughts?
Therapy helps by addressing the unbearable psychological pain that drives suicidal thinking. We work to understand what’s behind the pain — the losses, the hopelessness, the isolation — and find ways to reduce or tolerate it. Therapy also addresses underlying conditions like depression, anxiety, and trauma that often co-occur with suicidal ideation. Over time, this builds a life that feels more bearable and more worth living.
Will my therapist report me if I talk about suicidal thoughts?
Telling your therapist about suicidal thoughts is safe and important. I will listen carefully and without alarm. My role is to understand your pain and work with you to keep you safe — not to panic or breach your trust. Confidentiality is only broken when there is a serious and imminent risk of harm, and even then I would aim to involve you in any decisions about involving others.
Is suicidal ideation a mental illness?
Suicidal ideation is not itself a diagnosis, but it is strongly associated with mental health conditions — 74.9% of people with recent suicidal thoughts also had a diagnosable mental health disorder (ABS). Treating the underlying condition — whether depression, anxiety, trauma, or another issue — is often the most effective way to reduce suicidal thinking.