Over the past 10 weeks, I’ve be providing on-site counselling support through a local MEGT (Australia) Ltd office, working with clients who are navigating the often difficult path of re-entering the workforce.

Many of the people referred to MEGT face complex personal and systemic barriers:

👉🏽 Long-term unemployment,

👉🏽 Mental health challenges,

👉🏽 Trauma,

👉🏽 Family breakdowns, or

👉🏽 Inconsistent support networks.

Unsurprisingly, many arrive at this point with little trust in systems or professionals – and even less belief in themselves.

❌ In Week 1, I had 100% no-shows.

✅ By Week 10, I had 100% attendance.

And in the weeks in between, something powerful took place: we built trust.

For individuals trying to reconnect with meaningful work, the path is rarely linear. What I observed from day one was that attendance wasn’t the issue, trust was; and understandably so.

If someone has experienced judgment, invalidation, or system fatigue, the prospect of showing up to yet another appointment – especially with a stranger – can feel overwhelming.

Even within supportive environments like MEGT, many clients are hesitant to open up. Not because they don’t care, but because it’s safer not to hope.

What they need is a service that meets them where they are.

Over the 9 active weeks of counselling (not including Week 1’s no-shows), average client attendance rose to 74%, with steady week-to-week improvement.

That kind of shift doesn’t happen by accident.

It’s the result of a few deliberate strategies I’ve refined through my work with Solid Foundations Counselling, and adapted for this context:

✅ A flexible standby system

Instead of wasting appointment times when a client didn’t show up, I introduced a standby list for on-the-day sessions conducted over the phone in the event of a “no show” or late cancellation.

Consenting clients were given the option to be added to this list instead of waiting weeks to get in to see me in person. This maximised both my time and the client’s readiness to engage, creating more opportunities for productive conversations for those enthusiastic about making changes.

✅ Trauma-aware referrals

When a client needed more specialised or long-term mental health support, I made ethical, trauma-informed referrals with their consent. That meant not passing people off, but walking with them through their options and helping them take the next step with clarity and confidence.

✅ A human-first approach

This might sound obvious, but it’s worth repeating: people engage when they feel safe, seen, and respected. I prioritised building genuine rapport, adjusting my approach depending on each client’s readiness, and making sure they felt like an active participant – not just a case file.

Employment support is about far more than CVs and job readiness. For many clients, success starts with the belief that change is possible.

Mental health concerns, trauma, addiction recovery, housing instability, low confidence, and systemic disadvantage all play a role in whether someone is able to show up – literally and emotionally – to a pathway program.

Counselling that understands those layers doesn’t just “check a box” for support services, it creates momentum.

I’m currently exploring opportunities to bring this model into other services across Melbourne and beyond, including:

✅ Vocational training programs

✅ Employment support services

✅ Youth engagement initiatives

✅ Transitional housing and reintegration programs

✅ Mental health or allied services looking to boost engagement

If you’re part of a team working in employment support, mental health, or community services, and you’re looking for someone who can complement your team with counselling that actually connects, I’d love to have a conversation.

Together, we can design a support model that not only looks good on paper but works where it matters most: in the lives of those we serve.

At Solid Foundations Counselling, I specialise in:

🔹 Individual therapy for men and women

🔹 Anxiety and depression treatment

🔹 Relationship counselling

🔹 Stress management for job seekers and frontline staff

🔹 Youth engagement and mentoring

🔹 Community-based and online counselling options

📍 Available for on-site sessions in Melbourne and online across Australia.

📞 Want to learn more about partnership opportunities or how counselling could support your clients? Book a free consultation or get in touch via phone or email.