Why Counselling and Why Now?

The need for counsellors in Australia has never been greater. Increasing societal pressures and eroding values have created a massive need in our communities for qualified counsellors.

This need is evidenced by a recent Australian Labour Force Survey indicating the Counselling profession has outgrown All Other Occupations by more than 200%.

And the industry employing counsellors, the Community Services and Health Sector, is predicted to be the fastest growth industry over the next 5 years.

As you can see, the demand for counsellors is high, and growing. And it's this demand that's creating significant opportunities in this rewarding field.

As a qualified counsellor, there are numerous opportunities for you in the Community Services and Health fields, whether it be as an employee or in private practice. You can make a real difference in many areas including grief and loss; relationships; with families, children or adolescents; stress; or trauma recovery. The demand for your help is very real.

We've helped people from all backgrounds become counsellors.

Whether you're currently working, may not have studied in a while, or have other commitments in your life, the external delivery method of our course ensures you have the best opportunity to study counselling.

Many of our students are changing their career to become a counsellor. Some, such as teachers, nurses or ministers of religion, are seeking to acquire counselling skills as an adjunct to their core profession. Even those students who may not have studied for many years find our course materials easy to follow as they have been designed specially for external delivery.

Our students and graduates all share the same strong desire to assist others. Maybe you are someone that people turn to for help in times of need; someone that displays a natural empathy to others. Or maybe you've been through personal challenges that have inspired you to assist others facing similar circumstances.

Whatever your background, you too can become a qualified counsellor with the Institute, help other people, and start an exciting and highly rewarding career!

Beatrice is a 40-year-old married mother of four children; she married young and over time she and her husband separated on three occasions. Her husband previously subjected her to both psychological and physical abuse.

As a child she lost her mother to suicide leaving her to be raised by her father. Unable to raise his daughters and work at the same time, Beatrice was passed around to various extended family members to be cared for. Unfortunately this exposed her to ongoing physical abuse.

Joe is 43 years old and the father of the four children; he has left Beatrice on 3 occasions over a 20-year period. He was raised in very poor circumstances and was subjected to physical abuse by his parents. He became addicted to alcohol in his teen years and developed increasingly violent behaviour.

PS more case studies, and articles, are available from the AIPC Online Article Library at www.aipc.net.au/articles.

Many students of the Diploma of Professional Counselling attend seminars to complete the practical requirements of their course. Seminars provide an ideal opportunity to network with other students and liaise with qualified counselling professionals in conjunction with completing compulsory coursework.

Below are seminars available between September and October 2008.

To register for a seminar, please contact your Student Support Centre.

BRISBANE

Communication Skills I - 11/10

Communication Skills II - 20/09

The Counselling Process - 25/10

Case Management - 18 & 19/10

SUNSHINE COAST

Counselling Therapies I - 20 & 21/09

Counselling Therapies II - 11 & 12/10

Case Management - 25 & 26/10

GOLD COAST

The Counselling Process - 24/05, 27/09

NORTHERN TERRITORY

Communication Skills I - 18/10

The Counselling Process - 27/09

TASMANIA

Communication Skills II - 21/09

The Counselling Process - 19/10

Counselling Therapies II - 11 & 12/10

SYDNEY

Communication Skills I - 02/10, 31/10

Communication Skills II - 02/09, 03/10

The Counselling Process - 10/10

Counselling Therapies I - 05 & 06/09

Counselling Therapies II - 24 & 25/09

Case Management - 27 & 28/10

Counselling Applications - 25/10

REGIONAL NEW SOUTH WALES

Communication Skills I - 06/09, 02/10, 31/10

Communication Skills II - 02/09, 11/10

The Counselling Process - 30/08, 10/10

Counselling Therapies I - 05 & 06/09

Counselling Therapies II - 24 & 25/09

Case Management - 27 & 28/10

Counselling Applications - 25/10

MELBOURNE

Communication Skills I - 13/09, 11/10

Communication Skills II - 14/09, 12/10

The Counselling Process - 27/09, 25/10

Counselling Therapies I - 30 & 31/09, 04 & 05/10

Counselling Therapies II - 06 & 07/09, 18 & 19/10

Case Management - 09 & 10/08, 20 & 21/09

Counselling Applications - 23/08, 28/09

ADELAIDE

Communication Skills I - 18/10

Communication Skills II - 19/10

The Counselling Process - 06/09

Counselling Therapies II - 13 & 14/09

Case Management - 25 & 26/10

PERTH

Communication Skills I - 06/09

Communication Skills II - 07/09

The Counselling Process - 04/10

Counselling Therapies I - 13 & 14/09

Case Management - 11 & 12/10