Information on professions and qualifications has
been taken from the Australian
Job Guide 2006*.
* Department of Education, Science and Training,
Australian Government. (2006). Job Guide 2006. [Electronic
version].
What
is a Counsellor Counsellors assist people to better understand
themselves by explaining options, setting goals and helping them
to take action. There are no formal qualifications required to be
a counsellor, however most professionals will have a degree or diploma
in counselling, psychology or social work. All counsellors at Swinburne
Student Development and Counselling have extensive training in counselling
techniques are eligible for professional registration as psychologists.
Counselling at the Psychology Clinic is provided by graduate students
who have completed a minimum of four years study in psychology and
are supervised by senior staff at the Psychology Clinic, who are
fully-registered psychologists with
the Psychologists Registration
Board of Victoria and the Australian
Psychological Society.
What
is a Psychologist Psychologists study human behaviour, conduct
research and apply research findings in order to reduce distress
and behavioural and psychological problems, and to promote mental
health and rational behaviour in individuals and groups. Psychologists
work on a broad range of issues with clientele including children,
adults, couples, families and organisations. Psychologists often
specialise in a particular type of psychology, such as clinical
psychology, neuropsychology, organisational psychology, forensic
psychology, educational psychology or sports psychology. In order
to practice psychologists are required by law to complete a degree
majoring in psychology (with honours), or a four-year Bachelor of
Psychology. This is followed by either an accredited two-year postgraduate
qualification, or two years of supervised experience with a registered
psychologist. The Swinburne Psychology Clinic provides both counselling
and psychological services.
What
is a Psychiatrist Psychiatrists are specialist medical practitioners
who diagnose and treat mental, emotional and behavioural disorders,
and prescribe medications and treatment to promote or restore good
health. To practice, psychiatrists must study medicine at university
and then undertake one year of full-time employment (internship)
at a recognised teaching hospital to be able to gain full registration
as a medical practitioner with the Medical Board. Entry to the psychiatry
specialisation requires postgraduate study, experience in approved
hospitals and the passing of examinations leading to membership
of the appropriate professional college. Swinburne University does
not currently have any psychiatrists on staff, however the Psychology
Clinic will be able to refer you if desired.
What
is a Social Worker Social workers help people to deal with personal
and social problems, either directly or by planning or carrying
out programs that benefit groups or communities. To become a social
worker you usually have to study social work at university. Some
counsellors at Swinburne Student Development and Counselling are
trained in both psychology and social work. You can request to see
a counsellor with social work qualifications if desired.
What
happens during a Counselling session? Making the decision to seek help for emotional
or psychological issues can be difficult and scary. To make this
step easier for you, you may want to check out some answers to Frequently
Asked Questions about the Student Development and Counselling
service. Information on what to expect and instructions on how to
make an appointment are provided here.
The first step towards getting help can often be the hardest, but
it is important that you seek help early on to prevent these difficulties
becoming worse.
What happens during a counselling session depends
greatly on the nature of the problem or the issue. Usually, the
counsellor will encourage you to explain what kind of help you think
you need. The counsellor will talk with you to help you get a clear
idea of the problem and what kinds of options there are for dealing
with the problem. The counsellor will then help you decide what
is the best option for you, and how to put this into action. Click
on the link below to watch a short video about what happens during
Counselling.
If you have any questions
or concerns about counselling, psychology or psychiatry services,
you can submit them via the Swin-eCounselling service, however please
ensure your question has not already been answered in our FAQ
section.
How
to get in touch with a Counsellor, Psychologist or Psychiatrist
Counsellors are available at all Swinburne University
campuses, and psychologists can be accessed through the Psychology
Clinic located on the Hawthorn Campus. Appointments can be made
either in person or by phone. Click here
for contact information for the Student Development and Counselling
service on your campus, or here
for the Psychology Clinic. Students are usually advised to speak
to a counsellor at the Student Development and Counselling service
in the first instance. More serious or chronic issues will be referred
to the Psychology Clinic. If you wish to access counselling, psychology
or psychiatry services outside of Swinburne University, staff at
the Student Development and Counselling or the Psychology Clinic
may be able to refer you to a suitable professional. Professional
contact information can also be found in your Local
Community Council Database or through the organisations listed
in the Swin-eCounselling links directory.
The Student
Development and Counselling Service in Hawthorn
APS (Australian Psychological
Society) - Professional association representing
Australian Psychologists. Provides information about APS registered
psychologists as well as tip sheets for common psychological issues.
Psychologists Registration
Board of Victoria - Governs the registration
of Psychologists practicing in Victoria through working to maintain
professional standards and investigating complaints about psychologists.
