Counselling psychology

Specific areas of practice

Counselling psychologists specialise in the following areas:

Counselling and psychotherapy

Provision of a wide variety of evidence-based techniques and therapeutic approaches that are tailored to meet the specific needs and circumstances of the client. This includes areas such as grief and loss, significant life transitions, developmental issues, relationship difficulties, domestic violence, sexual abuse/assault, trauma, maintaining healthy lifestyles, vocational assessment and career development.

Mental health disorders

Prevention, assessment, diagnosis and treatment of clients with mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, substance abuse and more complex presentations such as posttraumatic stress disorder and personality disorders.

Program development and evaluation

Use of research skills to analyse problems, design intervention strategies, and monitor and evaluate program outcomes. This includes areas such as treatment programs for addictions and mood disorders.

Mediation

Resolution of conflict in interpersonal, work or community contexts.

Assessment and reports

Provision of cognitive, personality and vocational assessments. Reports may be provided to individuals, health and legal professionals, and government departments.

Skills of counselling psychologists

Counselling psychologists have knowledge and skills in the following areas:

Assisting individuals to:

• Manage stress and conflict at home and work
• Deal with grief, loss and trauma
• Overcome feelings of depression, anxiety and fear
• Increase self-esteem and confidence
• Enhance personal relationships
• Deal with problems related to alcohol and drug use
• Manage chronic pain related to somatization
• Manage depression
• Recover from eating disorders
• Manage obsessions and compulsions
• Deal with sexual concerns
• Manage anger or violence

Assisting couples to:

• Build satisfying relationships
• Improve their communication
• Manage conflict or disagreement
• Enhance sexual adjustment
• Resolve thoughts on separation or divorce
• Improve parenting skills

Assisting families to:

• Improve difficult relationships
• Handle problematic situations
• Work together on issues or problems
• Cope with separation, divorce or re-marriage
• Deal with problems often experienced in blended families

Assisting organisations to:

• Evaluate current programs
• Facilitate staff relationships
• Resolve interpersonal work conflicts
• Find an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) consultant
• Manage staff with behavioural problems
• Provide expert advice and supervision in complex casework