People often reach out to a social worker because life feels overwhelming, stressful or confusing. You might be managing pressures at home, navigating a system like the NDIS or simply needing someone to talk to who understands both emotional wellbeing and real world challenges. Social workers are trained to support people across many areas of life, and the work is always grounded in compassion, collaboration and respect.
This guide explains how a social worker can help, what kinds of support are available and how to know when it might be the right time to reach out.
What Can a Social Worker Help Me With?
Mental Health Support
Social workers are trained to support emotional wellbeing in ways that feel safe, person centred and grounded in your lived experience. Therapy with a social worker can help you understand your feelings, build coping tools and create steady ground during difficult times.
People often seek support for:
- anxiety
- low mood or depression
- stress and burnout
- trauma or difficult past experiences
- identity and self esteem concerns
- overwhelm in work, study or family life
- navigating neurodivergence in day to day life
A social worker uses evidence informed therapeutic approaches. Sessions are collaborative and strengths based, with an emphasis on safety, regulation and feeling understood.
Support for NDIS Participants
Social workers play an important role in helping people navigate the NDIS and build the skills and resources they need for everyday life. Charlie supports participants, families and carers with a neuro affirming and trauma informed approach.
Support may include:
- therapy and emotional support to help you manage stress, change and daily challenges
- psychosocial skill building
- behaviour support that focuses on regulation, safety and needs based strategies
- functional information for reports and assessments
- guidance for preparing for plan reviews
- support to communicate with the NDIS or related services
- help linking with allied health, community or peer supports
To learn more about social work within the NDIS, you can refer to the NDIS guidelines.
Family and Parenting Support
At True Commons, I work with parents, carers and families to improve communication, strengthen relationships and create calmer, more connected environments. While this practice does not provide formal couples counselling, family support can help you understand patterns, reduce conflict and support each other more effectively.
Support may focus on:
- parenting strategies that are gentle, consistent and aligned with your values
- support for parents of neurodivergent children or young people
- carer support for people looking after family members with disability or complex needs
- communication tools for families wanting to reconnect or reduce tension
- guidance for navigating schools, health services or other systems as a parent or carer
The aim is to help families feel more confident, supported and equipped to manage challenges together.
Practical and Community Support
Sometimes the hardest part of feeling better is the stress happening around you. Social workers understand that emotional wellbeing is deeply connected to housing, finances, relationships, community and daily stability.
A social worker can help with:
- connecting you with housing, tenancy or financial assistance services
- advocating for you in health, education or government systems
- linking you with community programs, peer groups or support networks
- helping you understand and access your rights and entitlements
- supporting you to navigate services without feeling alone or overwhelmed
- safety planning if you are experiencing family stress or instability
This practical layer of support is one of the reasons many people choose a social worker. It acknowledges that wellbeing is shaped not only by emotions but also by the pressures around you.
When Should I See a Social Worker?
There is no specific threshold you need to reach before asking for help. Many people contact a social worker when they notice:
- ongoing stress or overwhelm
- changes in mental health
- difficulties communicating within family or caring relationships
- frustration navigating services or systems
- challenges related to disability or neurodivergence
- a need for both emotional and practical support together
- life transitions that feel stressful or isolating
Early support can prevent issues from building up, but social workers also help when things have already become complicated or heavy.
If you would like to talk with a social worker who offers therapy, family support and practical guidance, you are welcome to book an appointment. Reach out today – I’d love to chat!