I am a registered ACA member and have been admitted to the ACA College of Supervisors (ACACOS).
Supervision is a necessary component of ethical practice for registered counsellors. Part of my role is to be a gatekeeper for professional practice, ethical boundaries and ensure accountability.
Supervision is a safe place for practitioners to reflect on their practice. The supervisee can discuss in supervision their doubts or concerns, client issues, workplace issues, setting business goals and it can also be a place of learning and professional development.
I have a master’s in counselling and my main theory is based in social constructionism. I work from a client centred approach, believing clients are the expert of their own lives. My theoretical approach with clients is influenced by narrative therapy, solution focused therapy and collaborative therapy. It is important to me to also provide counselling that honours clients spiritual, religious, or cultural affiliations.
A little about my personal experience and how I am informed as a practitioner.
My background incudes a fine arts degree majoring in sculpture. I began a career in the art world exhibiting and worked as artist in residence in both Italy and England. I travelled lived in different parts of the world, embraced Islam at the age of 23 years. I then had children and had an opportunity to complete my second degree in Adult Education. these new skill sets lead me to teaching and community projects working with various multicultural organisations.
I noticed there appeared to be a need for counsellors in the culturally linguistic and diverse community sector and so embarked on furthering my qualifications gaining a Master of Counselling in 2017.
I feel all our knowledge and learning can enhance the counselling practice. My main approach is strengths based and honours the client as an expert of their own lives. I also add to my practice by incorporating creativity, my knowledge of facilitating learning and my relatively new understanding of learning about cultures and religion.
My journey as a registered counsellor has been to set up my own practice and learn about business. I have navigated organisations like the National Disability Insurance scheme, Employment Assistance Programs and Private Health insurance companies.
I am open to sharing any knowledge that I have gained and welcome continual improvement of practice.
