2020 Workforce Study
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. 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.
2015 Workforce Survey
In September 2015, the PACFA Research Committee launched its 2015 Counselling and Psychotherapy Workforce Survey.
A key aim of the Survey is to provide PACFA with vital information needed to support our advocacy work. The study will provide us with a valuable base of information to begin to document the credentials, legitimacy and practice characteristics of our profession, as well as identifying the needs and views of practitioners in order to help guide our future advocacy work.
The 2015 workforce study results can be found here: Lewis, I. (2016). Australian Counselling and Psychotherapy Workforce Study 2015 Update report. Retrieved from https://portal.pacfa.org.au/common/Uploaded%20files/PCFA/Documents/eNews-July-2016.pdf
2008 Workforce Survey
PACFA completed a research study of the counselling and psychotherapy workforce in partnership with La Trobe University in 2008. This involved undertaking a Workforce Survey in order to better understand the workforce and to gather information about practitioners and the counselling and psychotherapy profession in general.
A key aim of the study was to provide PACFA with vital information needed to support our advocacy work and our overall credibility and provide us with a valuable base of information to begin to document the credentials, legitimacy and practice characteristics of our profession, as well as identifying the needs and views of members to help guide our planning for the future.
Members of PACFA Member Associations participated in the Workforce Survey and the final project report was published in 2012. Thank you to those who completed the survey.
Schofield, M.J., & Roedel, G. (2012). Australian psychotherapists and counsellors: A study of therapists, therapeutic work, and professional development. Melbourne: La Trobe University.
Download the Report
Related resources
The following resources provide additional reading on workforce issues for the counselling and psychotherapy profession.
Schuetz, S. Schofield, M.J. & D’Souza, L. (2012). Australian counsellors and psychotherapists: A qualitative study of therapists’ development. Melbourne: La Trobe University.
Orlinsky, D.E., Schofield, M. J., Scchroder, T. and Kazantzis, N. (2011). Utilization of Personal Therapy by Psychotherapists: A Practice-Friendly Review and a New Study. Journal of Clinical Psychology, Vol. 67(8), 828-842.
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jclp.20821/abstract
Australian counsellors and psychotherapists: A profile of the profession. Counselling and Psychotherapy Research, 8(1), 4-11. http://www.researchgate.net/journal/1473-3145_Counselling_and_Psychotherapy_Research