Support the change to better health and wellbeing

Flinders offer a range of flexible postgraduate Counselling degrees that lead the way in whole of person care that is effective, evidenced and evolving to support the complex and different needs of all people.

Flinders integrates a range of therapeutic approaches with a focus on Cognitive Behaviour Therapies (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI) and Behavioural Health Coaching (BHC).

Careers in Counselling are in demand

Jobs for Counsellors are projected to grow by 14.5% over the period 2020 to 2025 and job growth for Counsellors is rated as strong by the Australian Government*. 

As an accredited professional counsellor, you will support the changing needs of individuals, families, and communities. By engaging in our suite of articulated courses, you will build knowledge, understanding and skills that are sought after in a range of industry settings such as health care, not for profit, private-practice, educational settings.

As an existing or emerging health professional, you bring personal values of integrity, curiosity, and compassion. Learn and develop alongside passionate Flinders experts, who will guide you to develop skills in evidence-based therapeutic approaches, for a diverse range of needs in areas such as youth and families, strengths-based wellbeing, digital care and telehealth, chronic conditions, addictions, grief and loss, interpersonal counselling, disability, and priority communities.  

Competency-based, supervised industry placements are embedded in the Diploma and Masters courses to demonstrate the application of skills. You will have opportunities to translate knowledge of chronic and mental health conditions, strengths-based models, motivational interviewing, as well as specific and transdiagnostic treatments.  

*Source: Labour Market Industry Portal; Job Outlook. 

Our Philosophy

Our philosophy of counselling is founded in the inherent value of acceptance and compassion for those we support and serve. Adopting a humanistic approach that explicitly promotes a commitment on part of the emerging counsellor to connect, unconditionally and respectfully, with others. We centre counselling practice within a person-centric approach, inclusive of diverse populations and groups, and through holistic, positively oriented lenses.

Embedded in the understanding and acceptance that each person is unique, valued and worthy, and recognising that everyone is more than the sum of their symptoms. By seeing each person as holding potential for growth and development, and establishing safe, trusting and benevolent relationships, the therapeutic process acknowledges autonomy, choice and fosters opportunities for people to understand their capabilities, strengths and needs. Appreciating a life course approach that recognises evolving developmental, environmental, and relational supports and opportunities.

Emerging counsellors will understand the importance of empirical and theoretical approaches and contribute to emerging and evolving evidence-informed counselling practices. We promote learning that enables emerging counsellors to act in compassionate, collaborative and competent ways, grounded in the ethical, legal, and professional standards of the counselling profession. Reflective practice is embraced to develop professional responsibility and counselling competence through self-awareness, supervision, and self-care.