Who are Counsellers?

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Absolutely, there is a clear distinction between a registered counsellor and those who may use counselling skills as an adjunct to their primary role. 

A registered counsellor’s level of education and competencies provides a sound risk management and professional framework that enables registered counsellors to operate to their full potential and know when to delegate activities to others. There are overlaps in regards to the functions and skills utilised by other professions similar to counsellors, as there are with nurses and physicians.

Counsellors provide an essential service within the mental health system, providing psychological interventions that support the consumers’ journeys through rehabilitation and recovery. Counsellors are capable professionals who are outcome-focused, providing clinical treatments through evidence-based psychological interventions. Counsellors operate collaboratively with allied health professionals through integrated care pathways. They provide consumers with better access to appropriate and cost-effective approaches to mental health promotion, prevention, and recovery.

• Safety: consumers have access to safe and high-quality psychological interventions. 

• Quality in practice: ensure the delivery of counselling interventions and services is consistent with repeatable and evaluative outcomes. 

• Innovation: effectively responds to consumer mental health needs by providing evidence-based psychological therapies. 

• Productivity: consumers receive the appropriate psychological intervention, enabling them to re-engage as valued members of their community. 

• Prevention: consumers receive support through their mental health journey with person-centred psychological interventions that reduce the burden upon themselves and their community. 

• Access: Everyone who uses a mental health service (or cares for someone who does) has access to effective interventions, experiences, and outcomes, regardless of their background or location. 

• Accountability: mental health consumers are some of the most vulnerable people in society; therefore, they have an inalienable right to expect accountability from all counselors through a transparent national registration and complaints process. 

• Person-centered: consumers can be included in decisions and choices about their treatment options when accessing mental health services.