PACFA Education Program Accreditation Committee: EPAC

PACFA is introducing a course accreditation process for counselling and psychotherapy courses in Australia.

PACFA was established to undertake important self-regulatory functions for the profession such as setting standards of training, establishing a Register of qualified practitioners, undertaking research and policy development for the profession, and ensuring good ethical standards and accountability to the public. Many of these self-regulatory functions need to be built on a foundational process of course accreditation. Without a rigorous and accountable course accreditation process, it is difficult to demonstrate public accountability for our membership standards, Register status and so on. It is also clear through discussion with government and other bodies around issues such as GST exemption and health fund rebates, that a rigorous independent process of course accreditation is a key component of gaining wider recognition for our profession.

Another rationale for undertaking a course accreditation process is that there is a very clear demand from the public for this. PACFA receives many, many enquiries regarding counselling and psychotherapy courses in Australia from prospective students who would like a 'stamp of approval that would enable them to select a course with confidence about the quality of the course and recognition by the profession. To date we have been unable to respond to these enquiries. This is a reasonable expectation given the cost and commitment required in undertaking such courses. We believe we would serve our members and the public better if we could provide an authoritative answer on which courses meet the PACFA Training Standards. We therefore wish to develop a process whereby courses in counselling and psychotherapy can be recognised by PACFA.

The PACFA AGM held in Melbourne 22 August 2004 gave in principle approval for the development of a course accreditation process for counselling and psychotherapy courses in Australia.

To assist in doing this we need the support of educators and course directors in this area. We seek your input into the development of a comprehensive, Australia-wide course accreditation process. We are aiming to complete the first approvals of courses by late 2007.

There are specific training standards for the education of counsellors and psychotherapists that have the support of the field of counselling and psychotherapy. It is important that they are incorporated into the education of professional counsellors and psychotherapists.

For a list of all courses currently accredited by PACFA, click here.

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