Motivated by my deep interest in grief counselling, particularly within the compassionate realm of non-profit organisations, I’ve been looking for roles where I can offer significant support to individuals navigating the complexities of grief and loss. In the past few weeks, I’ve had insightful conversations with recruiters, gaining a deeper understanding of roles that align with my interests and values. However, as my excitement met the reality of these roles, I noticed a gap between my experience and the demands of potential employers. While my rewarding journey in private practice and life has contributed significantly, it might have only partially aligned with the comprehensive expectations of these roles.

This newfound understanding inspired me to explore volunteering opportunities centred on grief counselling. After extensive research, I decided to pursue an opportunity with Griefline, an organisation that offers free grief support and resources. This commitment involves dedicating at least one weekly shift for 12 months, supporting individuals aged 18 and above in Australia who are coping with grief through their helpline services.

The application process included completing an online form where I shared my availability and reasons for volunteering with Griefline, briefly outlining my skills and experience. Additionally, I participated in a brief online interview with a member of the Volunteer Support Team to assess my suitability for the role. During the interview, I discussed the qualities and skills I believed were essential for this role, shared my personal experiences with grief and loss, and provided insights into my support system. A sense of joy filled me when they expressed genuine excitement about having me on board at the end of the interview. This further fuelled my enthusiasm for embarking on this meaningful journey with Griefline, as I eagerly anticipate contributing to the organisation’s mission and growing both personally and professionally through this impactful experience.

This decision resonates deeply with my commitment to bridging identified gaps, providing an opportunity to strengthen my connection with this meaningful field of grief and loss counselling. Beyond that, it signifies a genuine effort to give back to the community, marking a significant step in the personal development of my identity as a counsellor. As I step into this role, I am genuinely excited about the prospects of learning, growing, and positively impacting the lives of those navigating the complexities of grief.

Michelle Lim is the CEO of Ending Loneliness Together, she has shared with our community about her work and her fight to make Australia less lonely.

Ten tips for managing loneliness in the workplace:

1. Acknowledge your own loneliness – even if it’s just to yourself. It’s the first step to making things change.
2. Open the door to discussions and help to reduce the stigma of loneliness.
3. Give your colleagues the gift of your full attention: put your phone away at meetings and create a culture of active listening that enhances social connection.
4. Arrange to meet co-workers for lunch – increasing opportunities to get to know your colleagues better creates a deeper level of social connection.
5. Find or develop a peer support group to share your common interests, experiences and workplace challenges.
6. Celebrate team successes to help co-workers feel they have a common purpose and direction. A ‘thankyou’ goes a long way to help others feel valued and respected.
7. Form and maintain your professional networks to foster a sense of community and your professional identity.
8. Join a professional organisation to increase opportunities for meeting new people.
9. Remember your other self-care activities (for example, taking rest breaks, reducing stress) may also help in managing loneliness and developing meaningful connections at work.
10. Create your own self-care plan for boosting social connection and handling loneliness and encourage your students to develop their own.

MEDIA RELEASE 

12 February 2024 

Student lives at risk over school mental health policies  

While schools across Australia have unfilled vacancies for mental health practitioners, thousands of tertiary-qualified counsellors are available but are being shut out of the system.  

The peak body representing Australia’s counsellors and psychotherapists wants to know why. 

CEO of the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) Jodie McKenzie has revealed that all state education departments except one only accept limited professions like social workers and psychologists to fill the role of a school-based mental health practitioner, despite the fact that counsellors are qualified and experienced.  

She said there were simply not enough people in those categories to meet the needs of students, and “as counsellors, we know that sadly, when people cannot get the help they need, the consequences can be tragic.” 

Recently there has been a breakthrough of sorts with Victoria now recognising “counsellors of a prescribed class,” a move hailed by Ms McKenzie. 

“These are counsellors who are registered, experienced and are more than capable to meet student needs,” she explained.  

However she says one state is not enough, and has called on other states to follow Victoria’s lead. 

“New South Wales and Queensland both claim to be placing a mental health practitioner in every school in 2024 but I can’t see how this will be achieved while their current eligibility excludes counsellors.” 

Ms McKenzie said issues in the schoolyard include bullying, relationships, family issues, conflict, anxiety, stress, self-harm and suicide – all issues that counsellors deal with on a daily basis, “and when required we refer the student to more specialist support.”  

Pointing to the current cost of living crisis, she explained, “many parents currently can’t afford to pay for a therapist, so being able to access a mental health practitioner for free counselling at school will mean more students receiving support.” 

She said it’s time to be blunt. “Students who can’t access the right help are at real risk; their lives are at risk. 

“This doesn’t have to be the case because there are qualified counsellors available. 

“Victoria has acted, now other states must act.” 

-End- 

In this series, counsellors share with CA their professional journeys and the things they have learned along the way. Counsellor and behaviour practitioner Sharon Marshall tells CA what she wishes she knew in the prelude to her career. As featured in the Counselling Australia Journal Autumn 2023, Volume 24 Number 2.

Sharon Marshall Diploma of Business, Diploma of Counselling (ACA membership), behaviour practitioner, registered counsellor, specialist support coordinator. My company is Boutique Caring and we are located in Brisbane.

Looking back to your final year as a student (before starting your counselling career), what are the top three pieces of advice you would give?

• Be true and honest to yourself
• Follow what you want
• Reach high and hard

Would you change your decision to be a counsellor or psychotherapist? Why or why not?

No. I studied Psychology for three years and regretted wasting HECS on that, so I deferred. I felt it was too orientated around research and statistics and there was not enough emphasis put on the holistic person-centred approach.

How do you describe that work that you do?

My day consists of assisting people to find the best that they are and can be. I show them techniques to assist them to dig deep and delve into their trauma. As hard as it is to confront those demons, I am fortunate to be able to assist people and have an impact on their recovery or journey. To do this, it is necessary for me to have a thorough understanding of the impact of the trauma on the client’s life. Therefore, I spend a lot of time in conversation, or with children in play therapy (I love this). I often say that they are the flower, and I am just watering it and one day it will bloom.

Do you love your work? Why?

About 10 years ago my life took a dramatic turn. Imagine a ball rolling down a hill, gaining momentum and pulling everything into the vortex with me. My brain was on overdrive and I had a complete breakdown. I took a massive overdose with the intent of dying. I had said my goodbyes to my children and husband and then died. But there were other plans for me. After a long rehabilitation in Belmont Private Hospital (my first admission was over 10 months and then two admissions after that), I bounced back and I said, enough is enough, no more of this medication and ECT. I took control of my life and now I am teaching, navigating, encouraging people to take control of their lives. I love my work as I do make a difference in someone’s life. I am very good at what I do because I have lived experience and I can totally relate to people’s mental health and their challenges. I have empathy and I learned at the very beginning that we have two ears and one mouth, therefore listening is often all people require. My company has just started a therapy centre where people – either NDIS or private – can join in activities. They can learn how to cook, make candles, make cheese, do a resin board or restore some furniture. The therapy centre is also a place of sanctuary and safety; they can just sit in the beautiful lounges and have a coffee and read a book.

What is your ACA level?

As a professional counsellor, I focus on upgrading my knowledge by undertaking courses, such as BPD and training, as my passion is understanding them. I am completing my Master of Counselling, which is inspiring and has a steep learning curve.

Each month we spotlight an ACA member in the ACA Monthly Bulletin, our monthly newsletter. The Member Spotlight is designed to showcase the work of our members to you! We hope their stories inspire or spark interest. Let’s share our experiences within our counselling community.

Vanessa Kredler | Counsellor, Psychotherapist.

What motivated you to pursue a career in counselling?
I have lived experience of addiction and trauma that motivated me to learn about all things healing and eventually led to supporting others. As soon as I started my personal recovery journey I started training as a counsellor in parallel because I knew there was something important about this work.

What specific areas do you primarily work within?
Most of my clients struggle with food addiction, disordered eating, and/or complex trauma. I work on zoom with clients from all over Australia and at various points on their recovery journeys. Sessions can vary greatly because with some clients I work at a very practical level as addiction recovery requires developing new knowledge, skills and ways of coping. With other clients we work at a much deeper level on healing underlying wounds, mainly through Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, which is very powerful. And often we work in parallel on practical and deeper aspects.

What is a recent personal success or achievement you’re proud of?
I have recently given a couple of presentations about food addiction to colleagues from the eating disorders field. This is very positive and encouraging because food addiction is not officially recognised in the DSM and ICD despite so many clients identifying with it. In the eating disorders field, food addiction is sometimes seen as a dangerous concept because it advocates for abstaining from certain food and food behaviours (for some clients), which can exacerbate dietary restraint in some people with eating disorders. On the other hand, the approach of moderating all foods advocated in the eating disorders field can be very harmful to some food addiction clients. It’s important that we have open discussion about how clinical presentations overlap and how we can best support clients without falling into warring camps. Dialogue and collaboration are very important so that we can improve our care, especially around food and eating which is a complex topic for everyone, even for people without addiction or disordered eating.

What is the most rewarding aspect of being a counsellor for you?
What is most rewarding is when clients feel heard and understood by me no matter what is going on for them. Particularly, when clients’ experience of food addiction is validated, as the concept is often not taken seriously by professionals or misdiagnosed. I also enjoy being able to be what in IFS we call a ‘hope merchant’, bringing hope that healing is possible.

How do you contribute to the betterment of the profession and your community?
Part of me says that I contribute to the betterment of the profession and the community by holding advocacy positions. For example, I am a SANE Australia peer ambassador and a member of the Blue Knot Foundation Lived and Living Experience Committee to co-design their trauma-informed services. I use my lived experience to help reduce stigma and improve services. Another part of says, it’s more about just aspiring to be authentic, integral, and humble in all areas of life, to the best of my ability.

Are there any particular projects or initiatives you’re currently involved in?
I’m involved with my food addiction colleagues overseas to raise awareness around the currently unrecognised concept of food addiction, and am supporting people on Dr Vera Tarman’s Sugar Free for Life Facebook group.

I also run regular Internal Family Systems (IFS) and food addiction groups to support clients who want to explore IFS in relation to food and eating and am immensely enjoying those groups.

What advice would you give to someone considering a career in counselling?
Don’t be afraid to use your lived and living experience as a motivator to enter the field but be aware of your own biases and do your own healing work so that you can keep it out of the work with your clients.

Is there a quote or philosophy that inspires your work?
Do your own work. I don’t know who said it, but it basically signifies to me that we can only take our clients as far and deep as we’ve gone ourselves and that we have a responsibility to look after our own healing in order to support others.

Safer Internet Day, raising awareness for a better internet for all, especially children and young people. 

• Safer Internet Day is a global initiative to raise awareness of online safety issues, a time for everyone to come “together for a better internet”. This can be encouraged through industry and policy actions, press conferences, school assemblies and new educational resources  
• In 2023, Safer Internet Day was celebrated in over 180 countries and territories worldwide. 

Three steps to approach online safety according to the eSafety Commissioner: 

Connect safely by keeping apps and devices secure and reviewing your privacy settings regularly.  

Reflect on how your actions online may affect others or your safety.  

Protect yourself and others by visiting eSafety.gov.au to find out how to stay safe online and report online abuse. 

In support of Safer Internet Day, the eSafety Commissioner will host a webinar exclusively for ACA Members. The webinar titled ‘Online Gaming, helping children and families get the most out of gaming’, will look at the current research and resources to support counsellors and is eligible for five OPD points. 

Join us on Wednesday 28 February 2024 at 11.00am, AEST 

Register here! 

This project is being undertaken as part of a Masters project in the Master of Counselling (Advanced Practice) program through the University of Southern Queensland.

UniSQ HREC Approval number: ETH2023-0538      

Clinical supervision is a fundamental component in the professional practice of counselling. Although clinical supervision is primarily conceptualised as a protective consumer fail safe (assessing practitioner burnout and ensuring ethical practices are maintained), it also meets the professional developmental, educatory and mentoring needs of new generations of therapists (Pelling & Armstrong, 2017). The importance of supervision is also recognised in the requirements of practitioner registration and maintenance with professional memberships of peak bodies (ACA, 2019; PACFA, 2023). Specialised, accredited training in supervision provides practitioners with the foundational skills to begin supervisory practice. However, supervisory practice is complex with myriad challenges for both supervisor and supervisee.

Boundary tensions, dual/poly-relationships, legitimate structural power imbalances and the maintenance of the supervisory alliance present a complex professional labyrinth for practitioners to navigate (Burns, 2020; Corey et al., 2018; De Stefano et al., 2017; Watkins, 2014). Although professional guidelines and contemporary best-practice literature provide useful theoretical and practical foundational resources, there is limited qualitative research that focuses on the voice of counselling supervising practitioners from an Australian context exists. If the counselling profession in Australia wishes to continue reaching for additional professional industry acknowledgement and practice rigor, further research into supervisory practice difficulties and challenges is necessary.

The purpose of this project is to broadly increase attention toward counselling supervision in Australia and gain further insight into how practitioners are navigating challenges relating to boundary tensions and poly-relational issues within the supervisory dyad.

Aims

The clinical counselling supervisory relationship can present unique, multidimensional, and interconnected practice challenges.

This study aims to broadly increase attention toward counselling supervision in Australia and gain further insight into how practitioners are navigating some of these challenges.

The research question of this investigation is as follows, “How are counselling supervisors navigating boundary tensions and poly-relational challenges that arise within clinical supervision?”.

The study is also interested in exploring the occurrence of transparent practice, with particular attention toward the application of initial and ongoing contracting within the relationship.

Participation

This research proposes to conduct semi-structured interviews with ten experienced and accredited (ACA or PACFA) counselling supervisors (10 participants in total).

Participation will involve partaking in an interview that will take approximately 60 minutes.

Participation in this project is entirely voluntary. If participants decide to take part and later change their mind, they are free to withdraw from the project at any stage. Participants will be unable to withdraw data collected about yourself after they have participated in the interview.

Please reach out to the Research Team (below) to participate in this study.

Privacy and Confidentiality

All comments and responses are confidential unless required by law.

The interviews will be audio recorded and later transcribed for thematic analysis.

You will be provided with a copy of the interview transcript for your records and afforded a two week period to review the accuracy of the transcription.

Upon concluding the interview, your endorsement will be assumed and you will not be provided an opportunity request any changes to the transcript before the data is included in the project for analysis.

All members of the research team will have access to the recording and transcription. Transcriptions will be conducted by members of the research team.

It is not possible to participate in the project without being recorded.

Non-identifiable audio recording and transcription data will be made available for similar future research purposes.

An executive summary of the research projects results will be provided to you in a timely manner.

Any data collected as a part of this project will be stored securely, as per University of Southern Queensland’s Research Data and Primary Materials Management Procedure.

Questions

If you have any concerns or complaints about the ethical conduct of the project, you may contact the University of Southern Queensland, Manager of Research Integrity and Ethics on +61 7 4631 1839 or email [email protected]. The Manager of Research Integrity and Ethics is not connected with the research project and can address your concern in an unbiased manner.

Thank you for taking the time to help with this research project. Please keep this document for your information.

ACA Member Catherine Chen has agreed to share her journey with all ACA Students Members as she embarks on her first year after graduation. Catherine completed her Masters of Counselling in December 2023 and is now exploring her next phase. Catherine will be sharing her journey monthly with students as she ventures into the world after study.

By Catherine Chen

After dedicating two years of hard work, completing the final unit of the Master of Counselling course was a surreal and rewarding moment. Following a month filled with celebration and travel, I entered a reflective space, intentionally slowing down to acknowledge my tendency to rush into the next chapter without appreciating the present. Taking a moment to genuinely celebrate my achievements, the decision to pivot from a career in finance to embrace the counselling path wasn’t merely a change—it was a courageous leap of faith. It meant stepping into the unknown and reconnecting with the authentic self I’ve always aspired to be. Honestly, it feels like I’m answering a calling—a realisation of who I am meant to be.

Returning from the break in the new year, the reality set in as I received the Level 2 membership card from ACA, signifying the celebration of my achievement. While it symbolises accomplishment, there’s also an honesty in admitting that it stirs a sense of being a bit lost – where do I go from here? Rather than resisting the uncertainty, I found it helpful to acknowledge it. Embracing this uncertainty has given me the strength to view this phase as an opportunity for personal and professional development. I am determined to navigate the unknown with resilience, curiosity, and an open heart.

I’m also genuinely thankful for the overwhelming support from those around me. A former colleague, with whom we shared a placement experience in private practice, generously offered to meet weekly on Zoom calls, providing invaluable support throughout this transitional journey. Our conversations delved into crucial aspects like resume writing and supervision. Motivated by this encouragement, I dedicated my spare time to pursuing additional Internal Family Systems (IFS) training through PESI AU, leveraging the ACA member discount, and earning professional development points for the upcoming year.

Under the university career counsellor’s guidance, I developed more detailed plans for the job-hunting process and enhanced my LinkedIn profile. Proactively, I also reached out to reconnect with select academic teaching staff from the Master of Counselling course, seeking their guidance in navigating this transitional period. Their support is precious during this phase of growth and exploration.

Remaining informed about current legislation, especially how counsellors are recognised as mental health practitioners in Victoria with the help of ACA, allows me to be receptive to job opportunities that may not have the title of a counsellor but involve a counselling role. This awareness broadens my horizons and will enable me to identify relevant positions aligned with my expertise and passion.

Lastly, but certainly not least, I sought support from family and friends, drawing strength from their love and encouragement. It’s important to remember that the lack of a response from a ‘perfect job’ doesn’t shape my identity; it merely indicates that it may not be the right fit. Instead, it serves as an opportunity for self-discovery and the courage to explore new possibilities.

It is with great excitement we announce a development for our Victorian members. Starting from Term 1 – 2024, eligible Victorian counsellors will be able to apply for Mental Health Practitioner (MHP) roles within Victorian Government Secondary Schools and Specialist Schools with secondary-aged enrolments.

About the opportunity

In 2019, the Victorian Department of Education (the department) introduced Mental Health Practitioners (MHP) initiative to expand mental health and wellbeing supports provided to schools. To date MHP roles were available to applicants who are fully qualified Mental Health Nurses, Occupational Therapists, Psychologists and Social Workers.  This ongoing initiative is now expanding to include eligible Registered Counsellors.

The positive change comes following a significant shift in Victorian legislation with the implementation of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act (the Act) on 1 September 2023. The Act now recognises counsellors of a prescribed class as a mental health practitioner. To align with the Act, the Victorian Department of Education is including eligible counsellors in scope for school-based MHP roles.

MHPs work flexibly, based on the needs and priorities of their school and students. They are supported by regionally based mental health coordinators who also coordinate the mental health and wellbeing activities of other schools in the local area participating in the MHP initiative. They usually work as part of a multi-disciplinary team that helps students develop resilience to prepare them for future challenges.

The role includes:

• mental health prevention and promotion
• short term support for students including direct counselling
• coordinating supports for other services for students with complex needs.

Allocation of MHPs is based on student enrolments, with each eligible school campus receiving support from a MHP between one and five days per week.

The positions offer:

• meaningful work that has a positive impact on student outcomes and their lives
• job security and flexibility, with part-time positions available
• work life balance, with paid school holidays
• access to a range of professional development supports.

Eligibility criteria

• Have completed a university degree of Bachelor of Counselling or Master of Counselling;
• are a practicing/fully qualified member of either the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) or the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA); and
• hold a current Working With Children Check.

How to apply

MHP roles are regularly advertised on careers.vic.gov.au.

We hope that this news sets a positive precedent will inspire other States and Territories to follow suit, recognising and embracing the important role that counsellors and psychotherapists play in supporting mental health in educational settings.

We stand firm in our mission – to advance the profession, representing an educated and accountable workforce that is availed the same professional opportunities as their industry peers. We continue to educate and advocate for the value and impact of our members in supporting mental health and wellbeing.

More information

• For more information visit the department’s Mental health practitioners in secondary and specialist schools webpage
• Register for the department’s online information session for fully qualified/practicing members of ACA: Mental Health Practitioners initiative webinar Tickets, Thu 15/02/2024 at 4:00 pm | Eventbrite
• For more information about employment conditions and salary go to Victorian Government Schools Agreement 2022
• If you have any additional queries, email [email protected]

Each month we spotlight an ACA Member in the ACA Monthly Bulletin, our monthly newsletter. The Member Spotlight is designed to showcase the work of our members to you! We hope their stories inspire or spark interest. Let’s share our experiences within our counselling community.

Zoe Slater | Counsellor, speaker, CEO Freedom Choice Academy, author and creator of the Zoeism- inner wisdom guidance cards, personal development workshops.

What motivated you to pursue a career in counselling? 
A compelling curiosity as to WHY people knew what the right thing was to do or say, but often did the opposite. Regularly betraying themself or another person, ultimately keeping themself trapped in long term pain and suffering. Most often pushing away what’s good for them and move towards that which is bad for them, continuing emotional stress and life dissatisfaction.

My pull to study psychology was strong but the thought of sitting, all day, every day at university for several years repelled me redirecting my focus to other priorities. Until one day… in my early thirties an experience highlighted it was time to lean into my calling. This is how the experience unfolded. I was in a great position managing a recruitment agency in Sydney, but deep down at the soul level, I was unfulfilled. An emptiness, searching and longing for what will give me meaning. I realised counselling was a sense of coming home within myself, a place of interest where ‘I belong’.

I was gazing out the window contemplating my life when a candidate arrived in my office with a track history of jumping from job to job, blaming the boss and work environment. Businesses were looking for the right fit person. People were looking for the right fit job. However, the patterns of their inner psyche, blame, dissatisfaction, stress, and tension were so obvious. People would say ‘all I need is a new job’, to be happy or if the current employer would change, everything would be okay. The outside world needed to change ‘not them’! My heart knew this person needed help. In that moment, I chose to help people to see their patterns, to heal their wounded emotional imprints, to gain freedom and choice over their life. To have the job / work environment that adds to their happiness and more, because… they understand who they are, to then understand what they need. I wasted no time quickly finding the right educational platform that was the right fit for me and within weeks I was a mature age student on my journey to becoming the best Counsellor I could be.

What is the most rewarding aspect of being a counsellor for you?
I specifically work with Business Owners and Executives plus their teams with EAP. Like myself my clients don’t have time to waste, have businesses to run or busy lives and require sustaining fast results.

I’m comfortable with intense emotions, trauma, somatic issues, past lives, pre-birth issues and more. I grew in a family business so I’m familiar with family business dynamics and succession counselling which is why is why emotions and business are a natural fit for me.

My integrated model works deeply with the unconscious mind which includes a holistic framework approach to their mental health and wellness. My clients value that broader scope to transform their whole life. Particularly as relationships and friendships break down, everyone needs to have someone or a counsellor who has there back, a go to person for support and honesty. This holistic framework approach deepens my relationship with my clients allowing more of a lifetime relationship.

My weeks are huge, so I’ll share the most important part of my day with you. My typical day starts with gratitude, followed by a walk, swim and meditation, family connection then my business day. My Journal Diary keeps my holistic work/life overview in mind ensuring that I remain balanced. Filling my cup first allows me to be a far better person and counsellor. The commitment it takes to have harmonious sustainable success in my life helps me not burn out. If I burn-out I’m sabotaging all that which I love to do. Success without Self Care is Sabotage which happen to be the title of my 2023 Australian Tour. I am what I teach! Which leads into your next question.

Can you share a recent achievement in your counselling work that you’re proud of?
Yes! I did my first Australian Tour a few months ago, and I loved it. Speaking at five major cities, Brisbane, Sydney, Adelaide, Perth, and Melbourne for MFAA (Mortgage Finance Association of Australia), talk title ‘Success without Self-Care is Sabotage’! The impact in the finance world was better than I expected, embracing the conversation for themselves, family, and clients. My Success model and framework gave them measured outcome that’s irrefutable, revealing the areas of their life that’ve been neglected. I’ve come away from the Australian Tour with the confidence to speak globally and in front of 10,000 people or more. Was I scared, yes! But I was way more thrilled and privileged to have the opportunity to positively impact so many lives.

I’m now in more conversations for another Australian tour that will include my Mental Health Journal Diary System. Plus my business Freedom Choice Academy was a finalist for the ROAR Awards 2023.

What is the most rewarding aspect of being a counsellor for you?
There are so many… I love seeing clients’ eyes light up when they let go of emotions. When they get relief and clarity about old sabotaging behaviours. Gaining new awareness about an old emotion that was holding them back. Plus, the energy they get as the relief floods their body, the tension melts away and peace radiates outwards from their whole beingness, resting in a place of inner silence and no thoughts. Something many say they have never felt or can’t remember when they had zero mind chatter. Clients say they have a sense of freedom, free to choose, choices that’s right for them and excited to leave the session to live the life they really want to live… YES! The relief often washes away years of stress wrinkles they look like they’ve had a face lift, honestly, that’s my HIGH! Happy tears. Then sharing at their next session how their life has improved from the ground-breaking work we’ve done. Grateful and blown away with the speed in which change has happened for them. Yes… this is rewarding work for me!

How do you contribute to the betterment of the profession and your community? 
I enjoy chatting with my peers at the ACA chapter meetings, annual events and so on, it’s a place to share what’s working what’s not, how we can help one another.

When I was on my Australian Tour many people talked to me about their counsellors, both good and bad stories in five different states. I helped them consider questions to enhance their counselling experience. To not blame the counsellor but instead be determined to find the right fit counsellor. By the third session I believe a client should know if the counsellor is the right fit. More importantly to not give up themselves, the right counsellor is out there waiting for them to show up.

I love that counsellors don’t diagnose/ label clients. We create a space for clients to unshackle themselves if they wish, to determine their own life. I acknowledge my client’s diagnosis label but I don’t let it define the healing that’s possible for my client, which makes us counsellors more valuable. My clients have unshackled themselves from many labels and diagnosis because of the deep inner work we’ve done. Taking control over their life and self-determination is powerful.

I speak at many business groups reminding business people that Counsellors are not afraid of the clients tears and are willing to BE with clients and do the emotional heavy lifting. The work we counsellors do, can often collaboratively help clients get off medications. What I do lets people know that a good counsellor is worth paying for. Subsequently I believe what I do contributes to the betterment of our profession and how we are perceived.

My business is growing and I’m now looking for a like-minded counsellor and admin person to join my team.

What advice would you give to someone considering a career in counselling? 
Go for it. Follow your dream… listen to the calling. We are all here to help someone through their pain and to gain from their pain. Freedom and Choice over their life.

To walk your talk. Always be your own best client, which means you’re not avoiding your own issues and you’re doing self-care. This way you won’t burn out and you’ll have loads of fun doing rewarding work… enhancing people’s lives.

Don’t be fooled… what you avoid within yourself will become a fear-based limitation of yourself and likely to hinder the great work you can be doing with your clients.

The topics, subjects and approaches I loved the most are where I excel now. If there are topics you avoid, ask yourself why. If you are triggered, then do the work to heal. Those triggers mastered will serve you well. Clients often have repressed memory and don’t know that their discovery can trigger your wound so be prepared and be empowered.

The right niche area will energise you. Your clients’ challenge will excite you to find the right solution to ease their pain and deliver them to their own salvation. Make the most of your field placement. My field placement wasn’t what I wanted but it was all I could get, so I went with a grateful heart. My supervisor was amazing! Plus, the real time experience helped define my preferred clients.

Final words of advice
Lau Tzu says the integral being, sees without looking, knows without going and accomplishes without doing. This statement is so powerful but at a simple level it reminds me to breath as a counsellor and let the clients do the work.

Keep learning and applying! Embrace your clients’ emotions and always stretch yourself to the edge of your knowledge and experience.

Talking the talk is easy … Walking the talk is where the ‘Grit meets the Road’. One process I still do to help myself when triggered is…

1. Have a small size note pad beside me when I’m counselling.
2. Whenever triggered, I would discretely write a quick note to myself about the issue so I could deal with the issue later and return to being present with the client in the room.
3. I thrive from the healthy pressure it puts me under. When I next saw that client or came across that issue, I could measure my progress. I regularly say to my children or friends, I’ve had the best day ever, helping people to change their life or save their life. Freedom and Choice over their life.

Love what you do and never work a day in your life.
Zoe xx