Counselling Psychology in Australia: History, status and challenges

Mattia, Michael Di; Grant, Jan

doi:10.1080/09515070.2015.1127208

Cited by 12 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…Participants described this shift as a significant contributor to the “in‐fight,” with both professions fighting to retain their place in mental health support. Di Mattia and Grant () discussed difficulties with the definition of counselling psychology and the overlap with clinical psychology, proposing that these difficulties have been exacerbated by extremely vocal and effective clinical psychology advocacy claiming singular and unique expertise in working with mental health disorders. Evidently, counselling psychology has lacked the numbers, power, and advocacy to firmly establish its place in the Australian mental health arena and develop a unique professional identity which compliments, but is not displaced by, clinical psychology.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Since the introduction of Better Access in 2006, many psychologists and academics (Di Mattia & Grant, ; Meteyard & O'Hara, ) have shared fears about the decline of the profession, a concern raised by nearly all respondents. This decline is seen not only in academic programs, of which now only one with an intake remains, but also in the diversity of the profession more broadly.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…With the introduction of national registration for psychologists in 2010, Di Mattia and Grant () report that one of the significant issues for counselling psychologists has been the definition and scopes of practice for counselling psychology developed by the PsyBA. The PsyBA's definition asserts that counselling psychologists “use their knowledge of psychology and therapy to help individuals develop positive strengths and well‐being” (PsyBA, , p. 15).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Young, Bantjes, and Kagee () report the introduction of revised scopes of practice for South African psychologists in 2011 de‐emphasised the work of counselling psychologists in treating mental health problems. Restrictions with employment is also common, particularly in accessing positions in health departments for both Australian counselling psychologists (Di Mattia & Grant, ) and counselling psychologists in New Zealand (du Preez, Feather, & Farrell, ), with these positions often restricted to clinical psychologists.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Di Mattia and Grant () recently reported that the most pressing issue facing counselling psychology is the reduction in post‐graduate training programs, with the challenge of maintaining a profile and significance in Australia. There is one counselling psychology Master's program in Australia enrolling new students, a reduction from seven training programs in 2007, with a number of programs now in teach‐out mode.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Challenges facing Australian counselling psychologists: A qualitative analysis

Davis-McCabe

Mattia

Logan

2019

Australian Psychologist

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Objective: In the last decade, Australian counselling psychologists have seen a decline in the profession as academic programs close and their professional identity diminishes. In 2006, the Federal Government introduced the Better Access mental health initiative, which provides Medicare (Australia's national public health insurance scheme) funding for the community to access psychological services. While the Better Access initiative has been successful for consumers, it has created significant tensions within the psychology profession, offering higher rebates for services offered by a clinical psychologist. The literature highlights that the Better Access system has placed counselling psychology in a vulnerable position. Is this the only threat to the profession? This study sought to establish what Australian counselling psychologists perceive as the challenges facing the profession. Method: A web-based survey was distributed to Australian counselling psychologists seeking information on a range of demographic and professional characteristics. The survey collected information on various aspects of professional identity and practice. Respondents were asked to identify what they see as the challenges facing counselling psychology. Results: The main challenges highlighted were related to inequalities in rebate schemes between clinical and counselling psychologists, ingrained biases towards clinical psychology resulting in power imbalances, divides, and in-fighting within the profession, difficulties demarcating the unique identity of counselling psychologists (both from within and outside), and changes threatening the existence of counselling psychology as a viable training pathway in Australia. Conclusion: This paper explores the current challenges to the profession, recommendations for change at the individual and system levels, and directions for the future of the profession. K E Y W O R D S challenges, counselling psychology identity, Medicare, professional issues

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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