Contact
Address: 2/42 Finsbury St, Newmarket QLD 4051
Phone: (07) 3356 4255
Email: admin@theaca.net.au
Website: https://www.theaca.net.au/
About
The Australian Counselling Association (ACA) is the largest peak body for Counsellors and Psychotherapists in Australia.
ACA is Australia’s largest single registration body for Counsellors and Psychotherapists with over 9,000 members. ACA serves a crucial role in advocating and advancing the profession of counselling and psychotherapy.
Registered Counsellors and Psychotherapists are trained professionals working in a variety of settings, from low needs such as early intervention services, through to moderate and high needs in primary, secondary and tertiary care. The Registered Counsellor supports consumers with behavioural change through psychological interventions.
ACA’s objectives include:
- Promote and advocate for the counselling profession.
- Represent its members to government and industry.
- Establish appropriate training standards for the profession.
- Accredit education courses for counsellors.
- Assist members with employment and practice development.
- Recognise appropriate professional development opportunities for members.
- Establish and oversee codes of ethical practice.
- Assist the mental health consumer access ethical and appropriate service providers.
In addition to this the ACA has many other responsibilities as a peak body. Like other allied health professionals, Registered Counsellors are required to maintain their registration obligations and further develop their practice by participating in clinical supervision and ongoing professional development.
The Australian Counselling Association has developed an evidence-based Scope of Practice for Counsellors, which provide a clear understanding and consistent interpretation of a registered counsellors role and capabilities. In developing the Scope of Practice for Counsellors, the Australian Counselling Association has reviewed and evaluated the registration and practice requirements of their members, the type of services and programs they operate in, the therapeutic perspectives they provide, and their professional development activities.