Experience

Prior to becoming a Counsellor I worked as a tradesman for many years in heavy industry both in the city and remote communities.  Since then I have gained the above qualifications and the following experience.

I have over 15 years experience as a Counsellor and have been presenting the Anger Regulation Program successfully for over 4 years. I am a clinical member of  the Queensland Counsellors Association Inc.  I am listed on the national register of PACFA (Psychotherapist & Counselling Federation of Australia).  PACFA Registration Number: 020206.

The PACFA Register is designed to provide a comprehensive list of Psychotherapists and Counsellors for the Australian community.  These Psychotherapists and Counsellors have been assessed against Register Eligibility Criteria agreed to by Member Associations of PACFA, and have demonstrated an approved level of professional training, competence and ethics.  Also of interest, Professional Counselling.

Confidentiality

I conduct my practice in accordance with the Code of Ethics of my professional Organisation the Queensland Counsellors Association.  Consequently, I abide by their Confidentiality guidelines.

Confidentiality is a critical element of a trusting professional relationship, therefore I treat with confidence any personal information about clients, whether obtained directly or by inference.

This applies to all verbal, written, recorded or computer stored material pertaining to the therapeutic context. All records, whether in written or any other form, will be protected with the strictest of confidence.

Exceptional circumstances may arise which give good grounds for believing that the client will cause serious physical harm to others or themselves, or records may be subpoenaed by a court of law.  In such circumstances, the breaking of confidentiality may be required, preferably with the client's permission, or after consultation with a counselling supervisor.

Any breaking of confidentiality will be minimised both by restricting the information conveyed to that which is pertinent to the immediate situation and by limiting it to those persons who can provide the help required by the client.

Clinical Supervision

I receive clinical supervision regularly.  Supervision is used in counselling, psychotherapy and other mental health disciplines.  It consists of the practitioner meeting regularly with another professional, not necessarly more senior, but normally with training in the skills of supervision, to discuss casework and other professional issues in a structured way.  This is often known as clinical or counselling supervision.  The purpose is to assist the practitioner to learn from his or her experience and progress in expertise, as well as to ensure good service to the client.