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 has done so much.
Dr Stow becomes the eighth person to be awarded life membership in PACFA, and the first to be awarded through PACFA’s formalised and transparent process for the ongoing recognition of Life members.
About Dr Di Stow
Dr Di Stow is a PACFA Clinical Registrant, Mental Health Practitioner, and Accredited Supervisor who for the past 20 years has run a private practice in Hobart specialising in the areas of grief and loss, trauma, anxiety and depression, purpose and meaning.
She has been actively involved with PACFA since 2005, serving as a volunteer in numerous capacities. She is passionate about what PACFA stands for — regulating and supporting the provision of effective high-quality psychotherapy, counselling, and Indigenous Healing Practices, by registering and certifying suitably qualified and skilled practitioners, and accrediting appropriate training courses.
Dr Stow believes it was a privilege to lead PACFA in the role of President for six years, working with the Board, the Office, and the membership, representing counselling and psychotherapy to government and gaining further recognition for our profession. She has been a strong advocate with both Government and non-Government organisations and mental health professionals, particularly around Medicare, utilising radio, media outlets, interviews, press releases, briefings, and expert panels.
Under her watch as PACFA President, she saw the establishment in 2019 of the College of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Healing Practices (CATSIHP). She also oversaw the establishment of PACFA’s Governance Committee in 2020, and PACFA’s full membership of Allied Health Professions Australia (AHPA) in 2022. Of particular note was bringing in a new PACFA CEO in 2021 and managing that process and the transition for the organisation, and PACFA’s office move from Fitzroy North to Carlton in 2022.
In her years as President, there was the introduction of improved Training Standards, Ethics policies, and EPAC documentation, the development of Research papers, and PACJA and our organisation’s journal.
About Life Membership
Life membership is an honorary membership category for PACFA members who have been with PACFA in good standing for over 15 years, and who have been nominated successfully by a PACFA member for their considerable contribution to PACFA, and more widely the psychotherapy and counselling profession.
Life members are practising members of PACFA; they abide by the PACFA Code of Ethics and meet the annual renewal requirements. Life members are listed on the PACFA register until which time they no longer practice.
Life membership provides free membership until retiring from practice. If a life member retires from practice, they may maintain their life membership in a non-practising category to remain affiliated and connected to PACFA, but will no longer be a practising registrant.