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Regulatory Models for Psychotherapy and Counselling

In 2003-04, the Department of Human Services (‘the Department’) commissioned research on models of self-regulation for psychotherapy and counselling practitioners and other unregistered health professions. The Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) conducted the study on behalf of the Department. The study included:

A review of models of best practice in self-regulation.
Focused consultation with PACFA member associations.
Broader consultation with peak bodies that represent other unregistered health professions and experts in the field.

The aim of the report was to:

Develop a best practice model for self-regulation of counselling and psychotherapy practitioners in Australia, based on a critical review of the literature, consultation with experts and key stakeholders, and political/economic considerations.
Explore the feasibility of establishing joint self-regulatory arrangements with other self-regulated health practitioners.
Work collaboratively with stakeholders to reach agreement on a plan for implementing key features of an effective and efficient self-regulatory model that is publicly accountable and provides adequate protection for consumers.

The final report was submitted to the Department in February 2008 and can be accessed below.

Best Practice Self-Regulation Model for Psychotherapy and Counselling in Australia: Final Report

Best Practice Self-Regulation Model for Psychotherapy and Counselling in Australia: Final Report - February 2008 (PDF File 1.71MB)

The report contains a detailed study, including:

A literature review on international models for regulation of counselling and psychotherapy.
A study mapping the history, structures and self-regulatory arrangements for close to 50 counselling and psychotherapy associations in Australia.
A workforce survey of counselling and psychotherapy practitioners.
A consultation with representative associations on a proposal for a joint self-regulation model with other unregulated health professions.
A project to develop a national course accreditation system for these practitioners.
A national consultation on best practice models for regulation of counselling and psychotherapy.

The views expressed in the report do not necessarily represent the views of the Department. It is noted that since the preparation of the research report both PACFA and the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) have been working to develop a single Australian Counselling and Psychotherapy Register that would be an inclusive national listing of credentialed counsellors and psychotherapists who accept the standards, codes of conduct and ethics, insurance and continuing education requirements of recognised clinical and professional member associations. To this end, these organisations are working closely together to establish a Working Party that will develop an additional model for an independent national system for the registration of the counselling and psychotherapy professions.

The Department invited submissions from interested parties on the report and its findings and recommendations. Submissions closed on 29 August 2008.

The list of organisations/individuals and their submissions to the review are set out below.

The department notes the work that has progressed between PACFA and the ACA since the submission of the final report, in particular, the formation of the Australian Register of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (ARCAP) as an independent, national self-registration body for the professions.

ARCAP will establish a single national register of the professions and will be divided into four categories that reflect the diversity of member associations of both organisations and will operate as a corporate organisation. In the absence of statutory regulation, a self-regulatory model was considered the most appropriate option that protects the title, standard and intellectual property.

It is understood that ARCAP and the ACA will be making a submission to the Practitioner Regulation Subcommittee of the Health Workforce Principal Committee, putting forward the ARCAP self-regulatory model as a viable alternative to statutory registration.

The department has informed the Practitioner Regulation Subcommittee of the ACA's intentions in the context of the final report and submissions being made in response.

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