Counsellor Competencies

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is the NZAC frame of reference for your Professional Development.

Areas of each competency include Awareness, Knowledge, Skills and Application

1. Conceptual foundation e.g. theories of human development, cultural concepts, personality, mental un-wellness, psychological distress,     the process of change, therapeutic models

2. Puawananga Kaitiakitanga; Formerly called cultural supervision 

3. Self-awareness and self-development

4. Relationship building and maintaining a therapeutic alliance

5. Assessment and report writing. Assessment, risk assessment, report writing, referral process and professional written communication 

6. Collaborative goal setting/negotiating contracts and evaluation of client processes and outcomes

7. Facilitation of change: Interventions and change process

8. Ethical principles and practice 

9. Areas of specialist knowledge, experience and practice which may include diverse cultures

10. Other forms of Professional Practice e.g. supervision, group facilitation, education, training, teaching, management, research, service development, and course design.
 
11. Climate Change, and Te Taiao, the natural environment. What climate change means for the counselling profession: impacts, effects and responses.