Domestic and Family Violence Support – Melbourne Psychologist

If you are experiencing domestic or family violence, you are not alone. Support is available, and help can be accessed safely and confidentially.

At Ishma Alvi Psychology, we provide trauma-informed psychological support for individuals affected by domestic and family violence, including emotional abuse, verbal abuse, financial abuse, coercive control, relationship violence, sexual violence, and complex trauma.

If you are in immediate danger, please call 000.

What Is Domestic

and Family

Violence?

Domestic and family violence includes a range of behaviours used to control, dominate or harm another person within a relationship or family context.

It may involve:

  • Physical violence

  • Sexual violence

  • Emotional and psychological abuse

  • Coercive control and intimidation

  • Financial abuse

  • Social isolation

  • Technology-facilitated abuse (monitoring, tracking, online harassment)

  • Threats or manipulation

  • Reproductive coercion

  • Cultural or spiritual abuse

Violence is not limited to physical harm. Patterns of control and fear are equally serious and damaging.

Crisis Support and Emergency Contacts (Australia)

If you or someone you care about is in crisis or experiencing emotional distress, the following services in our support section below provide free, confidential support.

Evidence-Based Digital Mental Health Tools (Australia)

Digital mental health programs can provide accessible support alongside therapy or as an entry point to care. The Australian-based platforms mentioned in our support section further down this page, offer evidence-informed resources.

Professional and Ethical Standards (Psychology Practice)

Psychological and psychosexual services in Australia are guided by professional, ethical and regulatory frameworks designed to protect client safety, confidentiality and quality of care. The below organisations mentioned in our suggested services section below on this page provide information about standards and best-practice guidelines.

Mental Health Resources for Specific Communities

Different communities may benefit from specialised services and platforms that provide culturally conscious, identity-affirming and population-specific support. We have listed a resources in the ‘Community’ section below.

Medicare and Mental Health Treatment Information

Understanding funding and access pathways can help clients navigate care more confidently. Trusted information sources are listed below in our ‘Medicare’ support services section.

Self-Help and Psychoeducation Resources

Psychoeducation and self-guided tools can support understanding, symptom management and recovery. Trusted Australian information sources are listed below our in ‘Support Services’ section.

Support services

  • Emergency Services – 000
    For immediate danger or medical emergencies.

    Lifeline – 13 11 14
    24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention services.

    Beyond Blue – 1300 22 4636
    24/7 mental health support for anxiety, depression and emotional distress.

    Suicide Call Back Service – 1300 659 467
    24/7 trauma-informed counselling and crisis support.

    Kids Helpline – 1800 283 147
    24/7 support for children and young people aged 5 to 25 years.

    13YARN – 13 92 76
    24/7 culturally safe crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

  • Head to Health
    Australian Government mental health portal to find trusted digital programs and services.

    Black Dog Institute
    Offers evidence-based tools including myCompass (resilience and mood management) and Sleep Ninja (adolescent sleep support).

    Centre for Clinical Interventions (CCI)
    Free self-help workbooks covering anxiety, depression, eating disorders and emotional regulation.

    MindSpot Clinic
    Free, government-funded online assessment and treatment programs for adults.

    Smiling Mind
    Australian-developed mindfulness and emotional wellbeing app.

    BeyondNow
    Digital suicide safety planning app developed by Beyond Blue.

  • Australian Psychological Society (APS)
    Professional guidelines, public education resources and the “Find a Psychologist” service.

    Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA)
    National regulatory body responsible for practitioner registration standards and the Code of Conduct.

    Society of Australian Sexologists (SAS)
    Professional organisation providing ethical guidelines, training standards and practice frameworks for the delivery of psychosexual and sex therapy services. These guidelines support safe, ethical and evidence-informed care in the treatment of sexual health and relationship concerns.

    eMHprac
    Resources supporting clinicians and services in implementing digital mental health tools within ethical practice standards.

  • headspace
    Youth-focused mental health support services for people aged 12 to 25.

    QLife
    Peer support and referral service for LGBTQIA+ individuals.

    Embrace Multicultural Mental Health
    Resources supporting culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

    Support Act
    Wellbeing and crisis support for workers in the music and creative industries.

    VIC Inclusive Practitioners Network
    A Victorian directory of health practitioners with experience, training and/or lived experience working with marginalised and diverse communities, including LGBTQIA+, neurodivergent individuals, sex workers, kink and BDSM communities, consensual non-monogamy, immigrant and refugee communities, disability, specific cultural, ethnic and religious groups, and other identity-based communities.

    Inclusion in this directory does not constitute specialist endorsement or formal accreditation as defined by AHPRA or the ACCC. Practitioners listed represent a range of professional backgrounds and experience levels.

    Just Shapes and Sounds
    A social enterprise focused on reducing mental health stigma within Asian communities. Services include community education, mental health advocacy, an Asian Mental Health Podcast, and access to a directory of Asian psychologists and culturally responsive mental health professionals.

  • Healthdirect
    Government-supported health information and service locator.

    Mental Health Online
    Self-assessment tools and digital treatment programs.

    MensLine Australia
    Support service for men experiencing emotional distress or relationship challenges.

  • Medicare Mental Health Services
    Information about Mental Health Treatment Plans, rebates and eligible psychological services.

    Better Health Channel (Victoria)
    Evidence-based health and mental health information provided by the Victorian Government.

The resources listed on this page are provided for general informational purposes only and do not replace professional psychological assessment or treatment. Ishma Alvi Psychology does not control external services and is not responsible for their content or availability. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, please contact Emergency Services on 000.