MEMBERSHIP
Formal Training Course Guidelines
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These guidelines are informed by the national PACFA Training Standards (2007). Formal Training courses which form the basis for PACAWA membership application, in both Clinical Member and Associate Member categories, must meet the following minimum requirements: |
Selection Process: A formal selection process to determine an applicant’s suitability and readiness for training as a counsellor or psychotherapist.
Course Structure: A two year coherent and integrated training programme in the practice of counselling or psychotherapy skills, modality or approach, involving sound theoretical learning as well as the acquisition of practical skills and the integration of personal and clinical learning. Graduates need to have completed at least 200 hours of person-to-person training not including study time, client contact or supervision. A minimum of 10 hours of supervision, relating to 40 client contact hours, must take place within the training program.
Course Content: The training programme must include adequate theoretical and practical knowledge of human development, social systems and diversity; counselling or psychotherapeutic approaches; clinical assessment, intervention and referral options; ethical conduct; familiarity with relevant research and research processes; and the promotion of ongoing professional development and supervisory experience.
Experiential Training: The training programme must offer active opportunities for practice, reflection, experimenting and feedback on the progressive development of clinical abilities and skills. Teaching methods should contain a substantial component of experiential activities to ensure competent practice (at least 100 hours).
Self-Development: The constructive review of the therapeutic use of self and the ability to relate effectively with clients and other professionals must be an integral component of the training programme. The training must include 20 hours of self-awareness experiences, individual, group or family therapy.
Distance education: Distance education training programmes must meet the above requirements (including 200 hours person to person training, 40 hours client contact and 10 hours clinical supervision) and in particular provide, through a range of experiential modalities such as clinical placements, supervision, video and other telecommunication exchanges, relevant and appropriate feedback and shaping of the trainees’ competencies and abilities.
Clinical Supervision: Supervision of clinical skills development must occur throughout the training programme through formal supervisory experience (individual or small group), clinical placements and ongoing feedback (a minimum of 10 hours relating to 40 client contact hours). For association membership, a minimum of 50 hours supervision relating to 200 hours client contact is required and can be acquired post training (but includes supervision and clinical experience hours acquired during training). Supervisors must have adequate clinical experience, training, or recognition by their professional association.
Assessment: Training programmes must undertake thorough assessment of trainees’ theoretical and clinical skills.
Trainer Credentials: Training programmes must be run by professionals who have adequate training and education in their field and who are eligible for membership of their relevant professional body. Directors of training must have at least 5 years of professional and clinical experience, be competent in educational delivery and learning methods and must ensure that other trainers in the programme meet competent and adequate standards.
Please refer to the PACFA Training Standards 2007 for the complete outline of training course requirements.
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PACAWA does not formally endorse or accredit any training programmes. However, the association aims to maintain comprehensive and up-to-date information regarding training available within Western Australia. You can apply to the PACAWA office for a list of WA training courses that appear to meet, or count towards meeting, PACFA training standards. Also visit the Links page on this website. |
Click here to view the PACFA Training Standards
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Recommended Minimum Trainee Age
PACAWA recommends that the minimum age for those commencing formal psychotherapy or counselling training should be no less than 23 years.
It is considered essential that a trainee psychotherapist or counsellor enters training with an adequate level of maturation as an adult wherein their life experience is sufficiently broad to enable the development of distilled wisdom and non-judgmental appreciation of difference. Breadth of experience might include intimate and social relationships as an independent adult, participation in the work force, undertaking of parent or carer roles, dealing with people in a different cultural group and the capacity to meet with adversity.
There needs to be a level of self awareness and self reflection about the trainee practitioner’s own character, patterns of behaviour and style of interaction in order to work safely with people at emotionally vulnerable times in their lives. While the reduction of bias and inappropriate advice-giving develops over time with training and reflective supervision, a natural capacity for empathy through an understanding of one’s own and others’ responses to the challenges of life is an advantage.
It is recognized that, developmentally, generally those younger than 23 benefit from more time to explore life and unfold their
character, without the responsibilities involved in walking with others in times of emotional upset, relationship disturbance or
trauma.
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Supervision Guidelines
To
qualify for membership in all categories, minimum requirements for clinical
supervision must be met. Supervision is deemed by PACAWA to be an essential
component of training and continuing professional development. Supervision
refers to the systematic review of casework with a qualified supervisor
on a regular basis over a period of time. This is distinct from academic
or administrative supervision. For a counsellor or psychotherapist, the
ongoing process of supervision promotes the integration of theoretical
knowledge and practical therapeutic intervention and supports the practitioner
within the clinical role.
Supervision hours are considered where there is a contractual arrangement for individual or small group casework supervision with a qualified supervisor. For Clinical Membership, group supervision may not comprise more than 50% of the required supervision hours. It is expected that the duration of supervision sessions will be for no less than one hour.
PACAWA does not hold a formal register of recommended supervisors.
In seeking a supervisor who meets the requirements set by PACAWA, the trainee or qualified practitioner is encouraged to select an experienced clinician within their preferred model and field of counselling or psychotherapeutic practice.
PACAWA standards require that the supervisor must:
In applying for membership or a membership upgrade, or annually renewing your Associate Membership, you will be required to submit confirmation of your supervision hours. An official Supervisor Confirmation form will need to be completed annually for each supervisor you have seen. This can be downloaded from the website (see Joining PACAWA/How to Apply). |
SUPERVISION REQUIREMENTS FOR MEMBERSHIP
| Member | 75 hours (with sufficiently relevant degree) |
| 100 hours (without sufficiently relevant degree) | |
| ongoing supervision at least 10 hours over 2 years | |
| Provisional Member | 50 hours |
| ongoing supervision at least monthly if working with caseload | |
| Trainee Member | ongoing supervision at least monthly if working with caseload |
| Informal Member | ongoing supervision at least monthly if working with caseload |
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Graduate Guidelines
PACAWA supports the view that the formation of a skilled and competent counsellor or psychotherapist requires much more than the successful completion of a training course. Beyond the initial training, it is regarded that clinical experience, regular supervision and ongoing professional development are essential to the continuing acquisition of therapeutic understanding and skills, and the development of sound clinical judgement.
For this reason, PACAWA encourages new graduates, where possible, to gain broad clinical experience -; through agency or voluntary work - either prior to considering private practice or in the early stages of developing a private practice. It is considered that working in the field, particularly under supervision and within a clinical team, provides invaluable learning and developmental opportunities relating to casework, teamwork, networking, community mental health resources, and professional identity and standing.
Many practitioners make a longterm career choice to work within government or private organisations and agencies, preferring its particular advantages and challenges to those of private practice. Such merits can include career advancement prospects, role variability, job and income security, clinical teamwork, workplace interaction and stimulation, as well as opportunity and financial support for ongoing professional development.
Others make a career choice that combines organisational employment with private practice, or go exclusively into private practice. Private practice offers the autonomy and benefits associated with self-employment. Those who succeed in private practice appear to share certain commonalities.
It is generally observed that counsellors and psychotherapists who have established a full practice sustained over years, and which can generate enough income to support themselves, are characterised by having:
depth and breadth in their capacity to work with a wide range of people and concerns as the result of professional clinical experience in several health, pastoral care or welfare agencies
additional training in at least one psychotherapy modality
regular longterm personal therapy (minimum 2 years) and are aware of their own personality structure, style and core issues
established credibility and word-of-mouth networks through successful outcomes and satisfied clients
opportunity to present themselves in public and professional forums enabling revitalising of their client base
continuing connection to a source of clients such as Employee Assistance Programmes, Veterans Affairs, WorkCover, DCD, Workers Compensation Insurance, Family Court
management capacity to formulate and sustain organisational, financial and legal infrastructure
capacity to work alone, yet at the same time able to build and maintain a solid collegial network
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Western Australia (Inc) 2005 |