At the Illawarra Women’s Trauma Recovery Centre, financial counselling has become a key component of the comprehensive support services offered to women navigating the aftermath of trauma.
The Centre has partnered with the Zahra Foundation to provide a dedicated financial counsellor to support women recovering from domestic, family and sexual violence.
Since joining the Centre in April 2025, financial counsellor Terri Northam has been instrumental in helping clients address complex financial issues, ranging from utility debt to joint loans with ex-partners.
With a focus on practical outcomes, Terri works with clients to assess their financial situation, prioritise debts, and develop actionable plans.
Her role is designed to assist women in gaining a clearer understanding of their finances and accessing available support systems to reduce financial stress and improve long-term stability.
“Every woman who walks through the door is carrying something different. I try to walk beside them, look at the whole picture, and work out a plan together,” says Terri.
Addressing Financial Trauma
The launch of the Centre’s Financial Counselling Service earlier this year marked a critical expansion in the holistic care model offered to women who are experiencing or have previously experienced domestic, family and/or sexual violence.
Among the common questions brought to Terri are concerns about unpaid utility bills, managing childcare costs, navigating Buy Now Pay Later services, and understanding joint debts with former partners that may still impact their financial situation.
“Electricity and gas bills come up a lot,” Terri explains. “Some women are afraid to open the mail or answer unknown phone numbers because the stress is too much. I can help them to navigate those difficulties.”
Helping Women Prioritise and Plan
Terri’s sessions start simply: Bring all your paperwork – everything from overdue bills to childcare invoices. From there, she helps women sort through the confusion and identify priorities.
“Sometimes what a woman thinks is the most urgent debt isn’t the one that needs immediate attention,” she says. “For example, some providers offer electricity assistance, but not everyone knows that. That can free up money to pay for something else, like food or rent.”
Terri also helps clients create a personalised income and expenditure plan – essentially a practical budget. But rather than dictate how someone should spend, she supports them in discovering sustainable habits, whether switching to cash for discretionary spending or finding small ways to build savings.
Empowering Women to Prepare for the Future
Terri’s support helps women recover from financial hardship and empowers them to protect themselves in the future.
For those still in relationships but considering leaving, Terri offers practical advice: open a separate bank account, keep passwords private, check what bills are in your name, and if possible, start putting money aside.
“A lot of women I meet haven’t been included in the financial side of the relationship at all. Just learning the basics – understanding what’s coming in and going out – can be empowering,” she says.
Terri also encourages women to keep important documents like passports and IDs in a secure, accessible place in case they need to leave suddenly.
A Call to Connect
“If someone is feeling overwhelmed, my biggest advice is: don’t do it alone. Book an appointment. Bring in your paperwork. We’ll go through it together.”
The Financial Counselling Service at the Illawarra Women’s Trauma Recovery Centre is free and confidential for women engaged in the Centre’s services.
Contact the Centre to find out more about our financial counselling services.
