Relationship and family counselling in Australia: A review of our history and current status

Abstract

This article examines the impetus for and development of relationship and family counselling in Australia. The practice of relationship and family counselling is reviewed from its pre‐war beginnings, and post‐war development, to the present time. The changing sociocultural environment, including political and institutional responses, regarding relationship and family counselling, is considered. Such changes include the strains on relationships present during and after World War II, the availability of contraception, changing attitudes towards sexuality and relationships, an acknowledgement of domestic violence as an issue, recognition of same‐sex relationships, and rising divorce rates. The raising of children has been separated from couple and marital interactions. Blended family issues have grown in importance. This sociocultural examination shows how changing government support has impacted the field. Changing government support includes governmental attitudes towards divorce legislation and a focus on repairing marriages, to the availability of no‐fault divorce decrees. Additionally, funding trends towards targeted, versus global, services and a movement towards charging fees for service has occurred. This has included the advent of private practice relationship and family services. Moreover, the way that the rise of professionalism within the counselling field has influenced relationship and family services in Australia is reviewed. Relationship and family services has moved from a volunteer to a professional activity requiring additional training and qualifications. Moreover, relationship services have increasingly been separated from religious activities. Historical and current attempts to develop integrated, satisfactory, and viable approaches to the selection, training, accreditation, and ongoing monitoring of relationship and family counselling practitioners are mentioned. Finally, current and emerging trends in the provision of relationship and family counselling are articulated.