Three Ways to Spot a Genuine Counsellor

 

Who is a genuine counsellor?

Ana counselling client at Redcliffe practice roomsThe term “counselling” appears in a variety of different contexts. Therefore, it is important to know that not all counsellors are genuine or have professional qualifications. Due to a lack of legislation, any person could technically operate under the title of “counsellor”. They could be working without any relevant training or experience in the field of counselling.

When you take the first step to accessing support for your mental health and well-being, you want to know that you are in the hands of a qualified, knowledgeable and ethically bound professional. So, how do you spot a genuine counsellor?

3 ways to spot a genuine counsellor

Check out these three questions. Afterwards, you can be certain that you receive the highest quality mental health support from a genuine counsellor:

  • Are they registered? There are two professional registration bodies for qualified counsellors or psychotherapists in Australia: The Australian Counselling Association (ACA) and the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA). These registration bodies are crucial to ensure that you receive qualified support. They regulate ethical standards and codes of conduct for professional mental health oounselling in Australia. All our counsellors at Blissful Minds keep their registration  up to date with either ACA or PACFA.
  • What is their approach? While qualified counsellors may favour different methodologies, they tend to work from predominant, research-based approaches within the field. These approaches may include: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy and Solution Focused Therapy. If you ask any of our counsellors, they will happily explain their approach to you.
  • Are they trained? A qualified counsellor usually has a minimum of a three-year bachelor degree. Also, more commonly, they  have completed a Master of Counselling. At Blissful Minds, all our counsellors have both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in counselling (or equivalent).

Our genuine counsellors

Here at Blissful Minds, your mental health and well-being matter to us. We are proud to have a team of highly qualified, ethically driven and compassionate counsellors. Also, we value transparency and aim to support you right from the start as you seek out a counsellor who is the best fit for you. Please don’t hesitate to reach out today. One of our friendly counsellors or staff can guide you through your questions.