THE AUSTRALIAN PSYCHOTHERAPY AND COUNSELLING REFERRAL DIRECTORY


Within Australia there are many Professional Associations and Registration Boards relevant to the practice of psychotherapy and counselling. There are also many paths through which an individual can train to become a psychotherapist or counsellor. Health professionals from disciplines such as psychology, social work, psychiatry, medicine and nursing may undertake post-graduate training in psychotherapy and counselling. Others may undertake training in counselling or psychotherapy offered by a tertiary institution, a recognised professional association or private training institutes.

 

Medicare Rebates are available, on diagnosis of specific mental health conditions and subsequent referral from a GP, for focused psychological services of six to twelve sessions delivered by an 'allied health professional' (defined to include psychologists, social workers, mental health nurses and occupational therapists).


The following links will take you to practitioner directories offered by recognised professional associations:


 

 

In addition to the different professional bodies, the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) was established in November 1998 and is an umbrella association for many of the professional associations that represent various modalities within the disciplines of Psychotherapy and Counselling in the Australian community. The associations listed below are members of PACFA:


 

 

Psychologists Registration Board
The only Australian Government legislation relevant to the practice of psychotherapy and counselling relates to the use of the title ‘Psychologist'. To work as a psychologist in Australia you are required by law to be registered.The education and training requirement for general registration is a six year sequence comprising an:

  • Accredited Master's degree; or
  • A five year accredited sequence of study followed by a one year Board approved internship (5+1); or
  • A four year accredited sequence of study followed by a two year Board approved internship (4+2)
    • The Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) is the accreditation authority responsible for accrediting education providers and programs of study for the psychology profession.

     

    The Psychology Board of Australia is the national board for the psychology profession.

     

    The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) is the organization responsible for the implementation of the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme across Australia covering the 10 National professional boards of which psychology is one.