Training and Supervision
All paid and volunteer staff receive training, support and supervision relevant to the tasks they undertake.
Volunteers
Volunteers are invited to attend an initial training program and then are able to attend ongoing professional development sessions and a limited number of ACGB workshops free of charge.
Counsellors
1. Interns
The ACGB has a limited number of placement opportunities for experienced counsellors seeking to advance their knowledge and skills in bereavement counselling. Placements are either 40 or 80 hours of direct client contact. Supervision is provided at a ratio of 1 to every 4 hours of counselling. Professional development and case presentation is also provided as part of the practicum. Interns need to have an undergraduate degree in a relevant field and two yeas experience in general counselling as well as education in specific loss and grief theory. The 80 hour practicum, combined with loss and grief theoretical training, meets NALAG accreditation requirements. Feedback from counsellors who have completed thepracticum is very positive. One counsellor stated that the internship provided many opportunities, including:
"...growth through professional development, peer group presentations, supervision and of course direct service with clients. Through supervision I have reached a deeper understanding and ability to integrate my first discipline of gestalt therapy with contemporary loss and grief approaches."
Click here for more information about the ACGB intern program.
2. Practitioner Associates
There are ongoing opportunities for more experienced bereavement counsellors to become Practitioner Associates (PAs) with the ACGB. They offer their time in a voluntary capacity as bereavement counsellors with the Bereavement Counselling and Support Service. PAs are able to attend case presentation and professional development sessions as well as a limited number of ACGB workshops free of charge. Supervision is provided at a ratio of 1 hour for every 8 hours of counselling contact.
Supervision
All counsellors receive supervision which supports them in integrating the loss and grief theory into their practice. Counsellors are also encouraged to deepen their self-awareness, understand process issues at an interpersonal and intra-personal level and reflect on transference and counter-transference as it arises in the bereavement work with clients.
Anyone interested can contact Maria Smart or Wendy Thurling (Senior Bereavement Counsellors - Supervision on 9265 2111 or email m.smart@grief.org.au or w.thurling@grief.org.au
