29/03/2022
In Kingaroy 5th of April at the RSL 5:00pm start, all in the profession are welcome to join the discussion.
Meet with Philip Armstrong, CEO of ACA
To all ACA members, counsellors and psychotherapists.
I will be travelling around Australia in the next 6 weeks, I will be holding member meetings in Sydney, Parramatta, Newcastle, Wollongong, Melbourne ( x2), Adelaide, Perth, Brisbane, Kingaroy, Morton Bay, Cairns, Townsville, Toowoomba and Canberra. Time permitting I will attempt to visit more regional areas and Tasmania.
Why? To personally answer any questions members may have in regards to what ACAs vision is for the future, our political advocacy and to explain the Counsellors Care campaign in more detail.
I will be spending weeks away from my family on the road to meet with members in as many places as physically possible before the election.
I believe it is essential that members can have confidence in what ACA stands for and who is speaking on your behalf. And who best to get accurate information from than myself.
I will not hide behind social media platforms to create false commentary designed to stimulate negative discussions intended to create dissention amongst counsellors. I will discuss with members face to face how we as a profession can move forward collectively to create a better system.
I will be there in person to meet with members, answer your questions and inform you of what we are actively doing and what we hope to achieve. I will also be actively listening to and seeking your ideas and suggestions for the future.
Information on these meetings (venues and dates) will be disseminated to all members. Check your emails.
There is a Federal election around the corner, this is our chance to have a say. For the last three years ACA members have been asking what is it we can do to raise the profile of our industry, to create jobs and opportunities for all counsellors (level 1 to 4). Please support our campaign and spread the message.
ACA has spent a bucket load of dollars working with experts on how we can influence this election to achieve what members have been asking for. We have in consultation with experts in PR, social media etc put together a complete package and called it Counsellors Care.
My plea to all counsellors and psychotherapists is to join the campaign, sign the petition and get involved. If we miss the bus it will be at least another four years before we get another shot at this. The petition is an important part of this.
The petition is aimed at getting access to Medicare which does mean only ACA level 3 and 4 members will be advantaged by that. However this is one important step of many that will if successful open many other doors that will also advantage level 1 and 2 members as we all become part of the broader system which exists outside of Medicare. https://www.change.org/p/include-registered-counsellors-on-medicare-to-meet-australia-s-mental-health-crisis
