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

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aut.relation.issue2
aut.relation.journalPsychotherapy and Counselling Journal of Australia
aut.relation.volume9
dc.contributor.authorBloch-Atefi, Alexandra
dc.contributor.authorDay, Elizabeth
dc.contributor.authorSnell, Tristan
dc.contributor.authorO'Neill, Gina
dc.date.accessioned2023-06-26T01:00:50Z
dc.date.available2023-06-26T01:00:50Z
dc.date.issued2021-11-01
dc.description.abstractThe 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.
dc.identifier.citationPsychotherapy 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
dc.identifier.doi10.59158/001c.71216
dc.identifier.issn2201-7089
dc.identifier.issn2201-7089
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10292/16320
dc.languageen
dc.publisherPsychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia
dc.relation.urihttps://pacja.org.au/article/71216-a-snapshot-of-the-counselling-and-psychotherapy-workforce-in-australia-in-2020-underutilised-and-poorly-remunerated-yet-highly-qualified-and-despera
dc.rightsAt 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.
dc.rights.accessrightsOpenAccess
dc.subject5203 Clinical and Health Psychology
dc.subject32 Biomedical and Clinical Sciences
dc.subject3202 Clinical Sciences
dc.subject52 Psychology
dc.subjectHealth Services
dc.subjectClinical Research
dc.subject8.1 Organisation and delivery of services
dc.subject8 Health and social care services research
dc.subjectMental health
dc.subject3 Good Health and Well Being
dc.subject3202 Clinical sciences
dc.subject5203 Clinical and health psychology
dc.subject5205 Social and personality psychology
dc.titleA Snapshot of the Counselling and Psychotherapy Workforce in Australia in 2020: Underutilised and Poorly Remunerated, yet Highly Qualified and Desperately Needed
dc.typeJournal Article
pubs.elements-id497295
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