Counselling

PACFA College of Counselling

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About the College

PACFA’s College of Counselling officially commenced operating from 1 July 2016.

A Leadership Group has been established to lead the College and to plan activities for College members.

Activities include:

Building a vibrant community of practitioners who identify as counsellors
Developing and promoting practice standards and guidelines
Sponsoring and fostering research
Providing continuing professional development
Providing opportunities for networking and peer support
Providing opportunities for practitioners in regional and rural areas to participate

Contact: College of Counselling or [email protected]

The College of Counselling has developed Terms of Reference to guide its activities.

Meet the Leadership Group

Convenor Maree Armansin

Maree Armansin has worked in the counselling profession for 35 years and has provided counselling in private practice, education and organizational development services to a wide range of clients. Her career began as a teacher, then youth worker, private practitioner, organisational development consultant and professional development specialist in Queensland Government. She trained at Wellington Teachers College (Dip Tchg.), QUT (Graduate Dip. Counselling, B.Ed., Master of Social Science (Counselling), and at UNE (Master of Education). She is a clinical member of PACFA, convenor of PACFA Queensland and past President of Queensland Counsellors Association. She is a registered Family Constellations Master practitioner, MBTI practitioner and uses tools and models from theory to offer clients practical, down to earth, professional guidance that assists them to achieve high level potentiality and significant change in their lives. She is a supportive colleague who brings challenge and practical solution-focused approaches to organisations and individuals.

Rebecca Cambrell

Rebecca Cambrell is a resourceful and accomplished counsellor and therapist with 25 years’ experience. Most recently living and working within remote and rural communities focused on Aboriginal health and cohorts living with complex trauma, incarceration, and extreme disadvantage. She has worked within government and non-government organizations including acute medical and residential psychiatric facilities. Most recently she has been leading groups in the Barkly Work Camp men’s prison, Tennant Creek, and providing EAP services to Corrections staff. Rebecca is the recipient of the ‘Aboriginal Engagement and Leadership Award’, Department of the Attorney-General and Justice, Northern Territory. She has nearly completed her Masters of Counselling which she has been doing ever so slowly along the way whilst negotiating floods, bushfires, cyclones and the odd earthquake.

Dr Paul McQuillan

Dr Paul McQuillan (PhD, Psy D.) is a family and relationship counsellor. He is a Member of the Viktor Frankl Institute (Vienna), a Faculty Member of the Viktor Frankl Institute (USA), an Honorary Fellow of Australian Catholic University, and an adjunct Senior Lecturer at University of Southern Queensland. He chaired the Education Program Accreditation Committee (EPAC) from 2012 to 2020. Paul is also a member of the International Seminar on Religious Education and Values (ISREV), a group of approximately 200 academics worldwide who meet bi-annually. Membership of the Seminar is by invitation. His research interests include the spirituality of young people, a field in which he has published two books and numerous journal articles. Prior to his current roles, Paul has worked as a Director of Catholic Education in Brisbane, and has been a High School Principal and system administrator for thirty years with Catholic schools in four states and territories of Australia.

Mark ("MJ") Robertson

Mark ("MJ") Robertson works as a sexual assault trauma counsellor for a non-government organisation. They have previously worked as a relationship counsellor, post-separation parenting clinician, and has a specific interest in supporting members of the LGBTIQA+ community. A lifelong learner, MJ is currently completing a Masters of Mental Health Practice and has qualifications in Counselling and Case Management. MJ is a clinical member of PACFA, having joined the association as a student. They are also a member of AusPATH. MJ utilises a client-centred, trauma-informed approach that integrates various evidence-based interventions. A firm believer in reflective practice and ongoing professional development, MJ would like to see PACFA counsellors be recognised for the highly skilled and effective practitioners that they are.

Dr Paul K Scully

Dr Paul K Scully has been involved in the counselling field for over three decades, initially training with Relationships Australia as a relationship counsellor. He has managed a range of counselling services, including the Lifeline 24/7 counselling support service, relationship and domestic violence programs, problem gambling as well as children and youth services. Paul has completed two master’s degrees in counselling and his professional doctorate includes research on the use of feedback to improve client outcomes. He helped establish the initial counselling degree at the University of Southern Queensland, where he currently teaches in the Master of Counselling program. He also owns a counselling and consulting practice. Paul has served on advisory committees to government, including the Queensland Responsible Gambling Advisory Committee and State Community Recovery Committee. In addition, has been involved in lobbying at a federal level around problem gambling, refugees, and homelessness.