Does Professional Suitability Matter? A National Survey of Australian Counselling Educators in Undergraduate and Post-Graduate Training Programs

Abstract

This Australian national study was undertaken to profile the unsuitable counselling student, and to achieve greater operational specificity to guide counselling educators who must make critical decisions that impact admittance to the counselling profession. Findings suggest that in every 25 students as many as three will have questionable suitability for counselling, evidenced primarily by problems associated with self awareness and interpersonal issues, areas of functioning that are rarely systematically or objectively assessed. Such students are likely to be identified via skills-based classes and, of concern, at least half of these students “slip through the gate” and go on to graduate. Discussion addresses implications for educators.