Support the inclusion of quirky quolls in Australian counselling practice
Please sign this Change.org petition:
Protect and Uphold the Role of Vocationally Trained Counsellors in the National Standards
I finally found What I Want To Do When I Grow Up.
However, proposed changes in the counselling space may lock me out of being able to continue private counselling practice after this year. I will still be able to practice as a neurodivergence coach but would be locked out of yet more client referral pathways. This would make it even more difficult to run a sustainable and affordable practice.
The proposed changes are under the guise of making things more evidence-based, despite researching revealing over and over again that the most important factor in counselling outcomes is the therapeutic relationship. NOT what qualifications you have, but the quality and fit of the relationship between the client and their counsellor.
Most counsellors who will be affected are women in their 50s or older. Apparently, we're meant to upskill to a bachelor degree (that may soon become masters), while getting proof of at least 450 practice hours. Practice hours are usually unpaid. So, this means taking on greater debt while having reduced income, towards the end of your career.
Being a neurodivergent quoll, I have taken a wobbly career path. I have several qualifications, including a Bachelor in Psychology and a Masters in Health Science. I worked in public policy and health research for about 20 years. I decided to complete a vocational qualification at Diploma level in Counselling a couple of years ago to add clinical skills and experience to my knowledge.
In taking the long way round, I have worked in a variety of professional health and community service settings. I’ve seen the benefits and limitations of both the medical and the social model. I’ve learned through professional and life experience when to use different strategies and techniques. This is not achieved through a certain piece of paper.
Yes, we need standards and professional oversight of counselling but this does not feel like the way forward. It certainly does not feel like the supportive counselling field that I wanted to be a part of.
It really does feel like people pulling the ladder up behind them.