- deanne
- Oct. 11, 2022
Metavision's founder and director, Christina Nielsen explains how the top accrediting Counselling & Psychotherapy bodies are changing and what this means for Metavision as an educational institute.
Where are we up to?
Background
The Metavision Institute grew out of a request in 2002 from students, specifically in the field of Counselling and Psychotherapy, for a different way of working in the Mental Health field from the dominant approach of Psychology/ Psychiatry and the Medical model. Our course offers a unique training in a truly holistic approach that has stood the test of time. Over time the course has been developed and matured.
The two peak industry accrediting bodies, the ACA and PACFA have been working hard to improve the profile of Counselling and Psychotherapy. This, together with pressure from the end users, has grown.
The push for more regulation with higher qualifications such as an AQF (Australian Quality Framework) level 7 or more is from the Government, the industry, PACFA and the ACA. The long-term aim is for Counselling and Psychotherapy to be recognized as an Allied Health profession with the greater privileges that this status affords a profession. The demand on the current mental health services is clear evidence for Counsellors and Psychotherapists. Our training offers the training that more and more people are seeking.
Current situation
Metavision currently offers two higher education courses:
- Masters in Counselling and Psychotherapy (Holistic Practice) AQF level 9.
- Graduate Diploma in Counselling (Holistic practice) Stand alone AQF 8, It is also recognised as the 1st year of the Masters as a nested course.
To enrol in either course, the entry requirement is any undergraduate degree level 7 or above.
Masters (2 years full time)
This course is in the process of accreditation with PACFA (very slow as PACFA have gone through many changes and deliberations). To be accepted as a member of PACFA, the entry requirement is a relevant undergraduate degree and adequate counselling training (as deemed by PACFA). At this stage, there is no clear list of ‘relevant’ undergraduate degrees.
The ACA recognizes a Masters level qualification without specification as a ‘relevant’ undergraduate degree, following the AQF and TEQSA (Higher Education accrediting body) requirements.
Graduate Diploma (1 year full time)
This is accredited as the first year of the Masters (AQF level 8). This course is recognised by the ACA for membership at the entry level and by PACFA but that depends on what other training and qualifications you have.
Confusing? Yes!
Specialist Training in Counselling and Psychotherapy (2 year course)
The course is accredited by PACFA but membership eligibility will be assessed by PACFA and is dependent on what prior qualification and counselling training the student has.
At Metavision we take no responsibility for PACFA’s decisions. We always have done our best to work with PACFA and continue to do so.
We stand for the quality of our graduates, as we know the rigorous training and self-development they have gone through. We are a small, agile and student focused training institute.
As the industry/profession is unregulated anyone can practice as a Counsellor or Psychotherapist. It is inadvisable to do so without being a member of a reputable association. There are a number of other associations that graduates from Metavision can join. Google "Associations for Counsellors" and more than twenty come up.
As you can see there are courses at Metavision to meet a range of desired outcomes. These are:
- Masters (2 years). This is recognised all over Australia and internationally as it has Government AQF level 9 accreditation. As such Government and other employing bodies recognise it.
Industry recognised PACFA and ACA membership. PACFA requires a ‘relevant‘ undergraduate degree and ‘sufficient' counselling training. ACA does not have this requirement.
- Graduate Diploma (1 Year). This is recognised all over Australia and internationally as it has Government AQF level 8 accreditation.
ACA recognises the Grad. Dip for level 1 membership and may depend on previous training and or/experience in the field.
- Specialist Training Course (2 years). This gives excellent training with a strong emphasis on experiential learning and personal development.
This gives skills to practice as a Counsellor/Psychotherapist.
Recognition by ACA and PACFA is dependent on other qualifications.
- Holistic Counselling Skills training (6 months). This course gives a foundational training in counselling.
Counselling skills are further developed during the Graduate Diploma or first year of Masters and Specialist Training.
- Psychotherapy skills are developed further in the second year of Masters and STP followed by Professional Development courses and supervision through Metavision after graduating.
What course or courses you chose depends on what outcome you want, and what previous qualifications and experience you may have.
We offer in-depth training that is well recognised and respected within the industry. We have striven to stay abreast of the changing and developing industry requirements. I hope I have brought some clarity to a confusing field.
What are we offering for 2023?
- The Graduate Diploma - 1 year
- The Specialist Training Programme - 2 year
- Holistic Counselling Skills - 6 months
- Foundational Counselling I unit.
We are currently waiting until 2023 to offer entry directly into the Masters course, however entry into the Graduate Diploma will give you entry into year 2 of the Masters. This is due to the uncertainty within the industry and in the economic and natural environment. We are choosing to be transparent and not to promise something we can not provide, instead of promising something and then canceling it. However, we currently plan to run the second year of the Masters in 2024 depending on numbers.
We at Metavision have decided to keep offering what we can, to a high level of delivery and execution, while trying to meet the diverse accrediting bodies requirements. However, we are not prepared to compromise the quality of what we offer. It is up to you to choose what you would like to study and how you would like to contribute to this growing and exciting profession.
Please ask us any questions for further clarification. Also contact the ACA and PACFA or other associations for their position on your specific situation.
Christina Nielsen September 2022.
We believe that Counselling and Psychotherapy is a vocation where ‘the heart’s deep longing meets the world’s deep need’ to use the words of Buechner, Zajonic and Parker Palmer.
