Counselling psychology

What is a counselling psychologist?

Counselling psychologists are specialists in the provision of psychological therapy. They provide psychological assessment and psychotherapy for individuals, couples, families and groups, and treat a wide range of psychological problems and mental health disorders. Counselling psychologists use a variety of evidence-based therapeutic strategies and have particular expertise in tailoring these to meet the specific and varying needs of clients. They pay particular attention to the meanings, beliefs, contexts and processes that affect psychological health. This enables them to create collaborative, therapist-client relationships where the focus is on building psychological strengths and wellbeing as well as resolution of difficulties and disorders. Clients are assisted to assume control of their lives by developing new perspectives and understanding. As a result they learn to think in new ways, manage difficult emotional experiences more effectively, and practise different ways of behaving. Counselling psychologists work in a range of settings including private practice, government and non-government organisations, hospitals and educational institutions.

Areas of specialisation

Counselling psychologists specialise in the following areas.

Counselling and psychotherapy

Provision of a wide variety of evidence-based techniques and therapeutic approaches that are tailored to meet the specific needs and circumstances of the client. This includes areas such as grief and loss, significant life transitions, developmental issues, relationship difficulties, domestic violence, sexual abuse/assault, trauma, maintaining healthy lifestyles, vocational assessment and career development.

Mental health disorders

Prevention, assessment, diagnosis and treatment of clients with mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, substance abuse and more complex presentations such as posttraumatic stress disorder, chronic pain and personality disorders

Program development and evaluation

Use of research skills to analyse problems, design intervention strategies, and monitor and evaluate program outcomes. This includes areas such as treatment programs for offenders, addictions and mood disorders, and training programs in organisations.

Mediation

Resolution of conflict in interpersonal, work or community contexts

Assessment and reports

Provision of cognitive, personality and vocational assessments. Reports may be provided to individuals, health and legal professionals, and government departments.

Skills of counselling psychologists

Counselling psychologists have knowledge and skills in the following areas.

Assisting individuals to:

• Manage stress and conflict at home and work
• Deal with grief, loss and trauma
• Overcome feelings of depression, anxiety and fear
• Increase self-esteem and confidence
• Enhance personal relationships
• Cope with disabilities or health problems
• Deal with problems related to alcohol and drug use
• Manage chronic pain
• Manage depression
• Recover from eating disorders
• Manage obsessions and compulsions
• Deal with sexual concerns
• Manage anger or violence

Assisting couples to:

• Build satisfying relationships
• Improve their communication
• Manage conflict or disagreement
• Enhance sexual adjustment
• Resolve thoughts of separation or divorce
• Improve parenting skills

Assisting families to:

• Improve difficult relationships
• Handle problematic situations
• Work together on issues or problems
• Cope with separation, divorce or re-marriage
• Deal with problems often experienced in blended families

Assisting organisations to:

• Select new staff
• Conduct training programs
• Evaluate current programs
• Facilitate staff relationships
• Resolve interpersonal work conflicts
• Find an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) consultant
• Plan career paths
• Manage clients with behavioural problems
• Provide expert advice and supervision in complex casework

Qualifications and registration

Counselling psychologists have usually completed a minimum of six years full-time university training, including but not restricted to, two years of approved postgraduate study in a recognised counselling psychology program, plus 80 hours of supervised practice as a counselling psychologist and ongoing professional development.

All practising psychologists are legally required to be registered with the Psychologists Registration Board in their State or Territory and, as of mid-2010, a national registration board. This ensures they meet specified standards of competence and ethical practice.

In addition, psychologists follow strict guidelines for professional conduct that cover client privacy and confidentiality. Ethical codes, set and monitored by the APS, have been developed to safeguard the welfare of clients and the integrity of the psychology profession.

APS College of Counselling Psychologists

Membership of the APS College of Counselling Psychologists is restricted to psychologists who have completed the specialised training outlined above and have experience in the field. To remain a member of the College, practitioners are required to undertake a program of continuing professional development, with a particular focus on counselling psychology.

For information regarding the College go to www.groups.psychology.org.au/ccoun.

Locating a counselling psychologist

• Use the APS online referral service ‘Find a Psychologist(www.findapsychologist.org.au) by performing a search and selecting issues under the relevant category.

• Look for the APS listing under ‘psychologists' in the Yellow Pages.

• Medicare rebates are available for treatment of mental health disorders. Speak to your doctor about the possibility of making a referral to a counselling psychologist.