Counsellors

Counsellors assist people to better understand themselves by explaining options, setting goals and helping them to take action.  There are no formal qualifications required to be a counsellor, however most professionals will have a degree or diploma in counselling, psychology or social work. 

As the counselling profession is self-governed, it is in the public's own interest to only use a counsellor/psychotherapist who is registered with a recognised professional body such as the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) or Psychotherapist and Counsellors Federation of Australia (PACFA).  Members of these associations meet professional standards of training and abide to a code of conduct and a complaints procedure.  Non-registered counsellors are not accountable to any government or professional body.

Counsellors train in the 'talking therapies' and are able to help with most personal issues such as relationships, grief, stress etc but generally do not perform diagnostic or testing services particularly for issues such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or clinical depression. Counselling has been proven to be an effective therapy for most emotionally based issues.

Counsellors can also be known as psychotherapists.  While there is no one agreed definition for psychotherapists, psychotherapists have traditionally differentiated themselves from counsellors by claiming to work therapeutically at a greater depth with clients and over longer periods of time.  Psychotherapists typically have qualifications/training in psychotherapy, for example, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy or Interpersonal Therapy, which are distinct from Psychologists qualifications.  However, many Counsellors and Psychiatrists may use the title of Psychotherapist.

This information was provided by Mr Philip Armstrong, National Manager of the Australian Counselling Association. For more information about Counsellors and Psychotherapists, please visit the Australian Counselling Association website and the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia website.