Latest News

  

College of Supervision endorsed

Posted on 17/05/2023
The PACFA Board has endorsed the new College of Supervision. The College will support the community of supervisors.
  

Allied Health Professionals Australia advocates for GST-exclusion for PACFA members

Posted on 17/05/2023
As a full member of Allied Health Professionals Australia, PACFA has recently been part of a GST exemption campaign aimed at state and territory treasurers leading up to the next Council of Federal Financial Relations (CFFR) meeting in June 2023.
  

National Standards for Counselling and Psychotherapy to be established

Posted on 17/05/2023
PACFA is pleased to be advising the Department of Health on the establishment of national standards for counselling and psychotherapy following the allocation of 300k over two years in the recent federal Budget.
  

PACFA CPD course endorsement guidelines 2023

Posted on 17/05/2023
PACFA is pleased to advise the release of the revised Continuing professional development course endorsement guidelines (Guidelines), effective from 1 May 2023.
  

The problem of unregistered practitioners

Posted on 17/05/2023
PACFA has recently been notified of a number of discussions on social media encouraging Counsellors and Psychotherapists to practice without registration.
  

Former PACFA President Dr Di Stow awarded Honorary Life PACFA Membership

Posted on 12/05/2023
Citing her tireless advocacy, her dedication to defending the principles of her profession and her exemplary leadership, the PACFA board awarded Dr Stow with an Honorary Life Membership in the organisation for which she had done so much.
  

Psychedelic-assisted therapy information hub

Posted on 11/05/2023
RANZCP has developed a Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Information Hub to provide information to mental health professionals on medicines containing psychedelic substances psilocybin and MDMA.
  

Expressions of Interest invited

Posted on 11/05/2023
Join the Special Interest Group dedicated to infants, children and young people, open to any member who works therapeutically with children (0-11 years) and young people (12-25 years).
  

APS and NZPsS Symposium 2023

Posted on 8/05/2023
The Australian Psychological Society (APS) and the New Zealand Psychological Society (NZPsS) invite the members of PACFA to attend their 2023 symposium – ‘Exploring Trauma and Investigating Neurodiversity,’ from 19 to 21 May.
  

New requirements for renewing members 2023-2024

Posted on 13/04/2023
As part of our work as the self-regulator for counselling, psychotherapy and Indigenous Healing Practices, and our role reinforcing the value and credibility of the workforce, PACFA is revising our renewal processes for 2023-2024.
  

Advance your profession, volunteer with PACFA

Posted on 13/04/2023
PACFA is pleased to invite members to consider opportunities to contribute to the advancement of the profession by volunteering for a range of PACFA’s Committees and Leadership Groups.
  

Insights from PACFA members highlight passion and expertise

Posted on 12/04/2023
The PACFA membership survey provided a valuable snapshot of member thoughts and feedback. These valuable responses will be used to guide the development of services and allocation of resources for PACFA’s new strategic plan.
  

Pathways to help

Posted on 12/04/2023
Ernst Meyer, PACFA’s Convenor of the College of Psychotherapy—and former police officer—recently completed five informative videos for Police Care Australia, a website to support the mental health of police officers.
  

Join the PACFA Research Committee

Posted on 11/04/2023
Are you looking for a way to contribute to the counselling and psychotherapy profession and enhance your own career as a practitioner or academic?
  

Insurance House is going digital

Posted on 11/04/2023
PACFA members will be able to renew or purchase their PACFA professional indemnity and public liability Master Insurance Policy conveniently online at insurance.com.au
  

PACFA partners with cohealth to deliver a new community Mental Health and Wellbeing Local

Posted on 6/04/2023
PACFA is a supporting partner of the recently-opened Brimbank Mental Health and Wellbeing Local.
  

Getting ready for renewals

Posted on 5/04/2023
Are you ready to renew? Here is a review of the five renewal requirements for PACFA membership 2023/2024.
  

IAC member update

Posted on 4/04/2023
The International Association for Counselling (IAC)—the world body for the counselling profession—has provided PACFA with a member update, sharing an international perspective on news and events.
  

New opportunities on the PACFA jobs board

Posted on 4/04/2023
This month’s opportunities include APS6 Complex Case Manager roles, full and part time positions at Malvern Private Hospital and a variety of positions for Relationships Australia in NSW and in the Canberra region.
  

PACJA’s new home makes research easy

Posted on 4/04/2023
PACFA’s online peer-reviewed journal, the Psychotherapy and Counselling Journal of Australia (PACJA) is now hosted on the Scholastica platform and has a new look and feel.
  

CATSIHP Project Officer

Posted on 4/04/2023
PACFA is seeking a Project Officer for the College of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Healing Practices (CATSIHP)
  

Member profile Shirley Hicks

Posted on 4/04/2023
In this brief interview, Shirley explains what trauma-informed somatic psychotherapists are, what they do and what the practice can bring to work done with traumatised clients.
  

Psychotherapist discusses the hidden suffering of addiction

Posted on 31/03/2023
In her article 'I work with women suffering with addiction every day. Here's what I want you to know,' psychotherapist Catherine Stokoe draws attention to the impact of shame on women battling addiction.
  

Call for Expressions of Interest

Posted on 30/03/2023
PACFA is requesting tenders for a comparative analysis of evidence relating to the online training of counsellors and psychotherapists.
  

Upcoming April PACFA-run CPD

Posted on 30/03/2023
Events include a webinar on the Stepped Model of Care in Mental Health, Shirley Hicks’ workshop on trauma-sensitive yoga and a webinar on Attachment & Dissociative Disorders (DID) presented by Dr Adah Sachs.
  

Australian Psychosis Conference 2023

Posted on 28/03/2023
The 21st national series of the Australian Psychosis Conference, featuring keynote speakers presenting breakthrough research.
  

PACFA upgrades International Association for Counselling membership

Posted on 6/03/2023
PACFA has upgraded its membership of the International Association of Counselling to Level 2 organisational membership.
  

PACFA consulted on ReturnToWorkSA’s mental health scheme

Posted on 2/03/2023
ReturnToWorkSA – SA’s state insurer - is consulting with PACFA over its proposed new mental health category, which would include a counselling fee schedule and policy.
  

TGA approves prescription of psychedelic medicines

Posted on 2/03/2023
From 1 July 2023, approved psychiatrists will be able to prescribe medicines containing psilocybin and MDMA, for treatment of depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, respectively.
  

Advocacy for rural Australians: PACFA joins National Rural Health Alliance

Posted on 1/03/2023
Membership of the alliance will mean PACFA is represented on the organisation’s Council, with the opportunity to have input into the alliance’s policy work and views.
  

Support injured workers through their rehabilitation

Posted on 1/03/2023
Clinical Victorian PACFA members who hold a Bachelor or Master’s degree in counselling are encouraged to join the growing list of counsellors who are providing services to injured workers.
  

What it's like growing up with a parent who has a complex mental health condition

Posted on 1/03/2023
Journalist and author Elfy Scott spoke with the ABC’s Sarah Macdonald about living with a mother who has a serious mental illness.
  

Teachers Union rebating counselling

Posted on 1/03/2023
The Australian Regional Health Group (ARHG) has announced that Teachers Union Health is paying rebates for counselling services.
  

Door-to-door survey shines a light on Australians’ mental health

Posted on 1/03/2023
A recent government-funded project found that a surprisingly high proportion of people were prepared to have a face-to-face conversation with a person enquiring about their mental health. Yet the results of these conversations are concerning.
  

Healthtalk Australia seeking feedback

Posted on 1/03/2023
The Healthtalk Australia research team is seeking feedback from users across the mental and physical health sectors to refine and promote this important resource.
  

The definition of burnout needs to change

Posted on 1/03/2023
Scientia Professor Gordon Parker, the head of UNSW's school of psychiatry and founder of the Black Dog Institute, says he disagrees with the World Health Organisation definition of ‘burnout’ as ‘a syndrome.'
  

New PACFA-run CPD: Gottman Couples Therapy, Addiction and Psychotherapy in the digital space

Posted on 1/03/2023
Events include webinars on relationship therapy and working with addictions and an online course on counselling and therapy in the digital space.
  

Submit an abstract for TheMHS Conference 2023

Posted on 1/03/2023
Abstract submissions close on 17 March for The Mental Health Services Learning Network’s 2023 Conference, 15-18 August in Adelaide.
  

Police Health & Emergency Services adds HICAPS

Posted on 1/03/2023
The private health insurance fund Police Health Limited has contacted PACFA to notify our members of its recent changes to claiming counselling services.
  

Suicide prevention theme of TheMHS Forum, 21-22 March

Posted on 1/03/2023
TheMHS Forum 2023, to be held in Sydney, from 21-22 March and virtually, will consider suicide prevention strategies and responses across Australia and New Zealand.
  

Member profile: Former PACFA Board member Tony Clarkson

Posted on 28/02/2023
Tony Clarkson is the Principal Clinical Advisor at the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation, a former PACFA Board member and will be a keynote speaker at the Australia & New Zealand Addiction Conference, 26-28 April, 2023.
  

PACFA members keynote speakers at addiction conference

Posted on 28/02/2023
PACFA Board member, Judy Atkinson and former PACFA Vice-President, Tony Clarkson will be keynote speakers at the Australia & New Zealand Addiction Conference, 26-28 April 2023.
  

Your membership renewal: update and prepare

Posted on 28/02/2023
With your PACFA membership expiring on 30 June at the end of the financial year, start preparing now to make your renewal as smooth as possible. Here's how.
  

Eligible for Clinical membership? Upgrade now

Posted on 28/02/2023
Eligible Certified Practising members (formerly known as ‘provisional’ members) are invited to upgrade their membership to Clinical level.
  

Nominations open for PACFA Student Awards Semester 1, 2023

Posted on 28/02/2023
PACFA-accredited education institutions, it’s time to nominate a counselling and psychotherapy graduate for PACFA’s National Awards Scheme.
  

​Opportunity to be a member of a course accreditation panel

Posted on 28/02/2023
Are you a Clinical member and interested in providing your expertise to advance your profession? We would love to hear from you.
  

Broader access to PACFA therapists would reduce discrimination

Posted on 2/02/2023
PACFA's submission for the National Stigma and Discrimination Reduction Strategy recommends 'broader access', not just 'better access' to a diverse range of therapies and therapists.
  

PACFA at Mental Health Equity and Access Forum

Posted on 1/02/2023
PACFA CEO Johanna de Wever attended the Federal Government's mental health sector roundtable and was buoyed by Health Minister Mark Butler's qualified support for opening up Medicare rebate access to other allied health professionals.
  

Pandemic’s health legacy requires sector reform

Posted on 31/01/2023
Former Australian of the Year Professor Patrick McGorry has included the use of multidisciplinary teams among the solutions to meet the urgent need for mental health reform.
  

Upcoming CPD events

Posted on 31/01/2023
Register now to participate in three upcoming PACFA-run CPD seminars in February and March 2023.