A Snapshot of the Counselling and Psychotherapy Workforce in Australia in 2020: Underutilised and Poorly Remunerated, yet Highly Qualified and Desperately Needed

Date
2021-11-01
Authors
Bloch-Atefi, Alexandra
Day, Elizabeth
Snell, Tristan
O'Neill, Gina
Supervisor
Item type
Journal Article
Degree name
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia
Abstract

The aim of the 2020 workforce survey was to profile professionals affiliated with the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) to inform future policy and service planning. PACFA is a national peak body for Australian counsellors and psychotherapists, representing 3,500 members across all states and territories. This study builds on previous workforce studies, the first of which was conducted in 2004. An online questionnaire was circulated to PACFA members covering participants’ demographics, qualifications, employment, sources of client referrals, client groups and presentations, along with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Reflecting previous findings, participants predominantly identified as female, as coming from Australian or English backgrounds, and as being located in or around major cities. Notably, a higher proportion of counsellors and psychotherapists than psychologists and psychiatrists (who also have qualifications as counsellors or psychotherapists) were found in regional and rural Australia. The shortage of mental health services in Australia, especially in remote areas, and the desire for more working hours among over one quarter of registered practitioners, mean this workforce needs to be far better utilised to meet public demand and reduce health inequities for people in regional, rural, and remote Australia. Government recognition of registered counsellors and practitioners through Medicare’s Better Access subsidised sessions would significantly remedy the shortage of mental health services.

Description
Keywords
5203 Clinical and Health Psychology , 32 Biomedical and Clinical Sciences , 3202 Clinical Sciences , 52 Psychology , Health Services , Clinical Research , 8.1 Organisation and delivery of services , 8 Health and social care services research , Mental health , 3 Good Health and Well Being , 3202 Clinical sciences , 5203 Clinical and health psychology , 5205 Social and personality psychology
Source
Psychotherapy and Counselling Journal of Australia, ISSN: 2201-7089 (Print); 2201-7089 (Online), Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia, 9(2). doi: 10.59158/001c.71216
Rights statement
At any time before or after publication, the author may share print or electronic copies of the article with colleagues and use the article for educational and research purposes. Twelve months after publication by PACJA, the author may post an electronic version of the article on the author’s personal website, on the author’s employer’s website, or on free public websites in the author’s subject area. Electronic versions of the article must include a link to the published version of the article on the PACJA website.