PACFA Executive Officer

Exeutive Officer

Maria Brett

I bring to PACFA a wide range of skills, developed through a rich and varied career which includes:

• Qualified Bachelor of Arts (politics) and Bachelor of Laws, Monash University
• Admitted to practice as a Barrister and Solicitor in Victoria
• After leaving the legal profession, campaigned for the environment movement
• Executive Director of the East Timor Human Rights Centre
• Worked as trainer in the UK, gaining expertise in human resources and organisational management
• Re-trained as a counsellor and psychotherapist at the University of East London
• Executive Director of International Social Service Australia
• Manager, Community Resource Service for Mind (UK mental health charity)
• Manager, Melbourne Counselling Service (The Salvation Army)

As EO, my aspiration is to position PACFA strategically to better represent the interests of the profession, through strategic partnerships and raising PACFA’s profile with government, the human service sector and the wider community. Key to this goal is the need to build the research base to demonstrate the effectiveness of counselling and psychotherapy. I will also lead the PACFA Office to provide a quality service to Member Association and Registrants and ensure that strategic and operational developments within PACFA are representative of their diverse interests and needs.