Welcome to the second digital edition of the Counselling Australia Magazine. In this edition, you will learn about the importance of providing inclusive mental health services for the LGBTIQA+ community and empowering clinicians to work confidently with these clients.

This edition opens with a piece by Ellen Bache and CJ Stewart which highlights the need for comprehensive mental health services in Australia, particularly for the LGBTIQA+ community. LGBTIQA+ and queer individuals face higher rates of poor mental wellbeing due to discrimination and exclusionary social dynamics. ​Trauma-informed approaches are therefore crucial for ethical practice.
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Many clinicians feel ill-equipped to support LGBTIQA+ clients, leading to unnecessary referrals and reduced access to care. This also prevents practitioners from gaining experience and competence in inclusive practices, meaning ​the importance of creating safe, accepting spaces for clients is a core focus.

For people considering a career in counselling, Leah Shmerling’s article, “The four phases of the career journey and how to progress through them”, provides valuable guidance. The article emphasises the importance of self-awareness for counsellors, the growing demand for counsellors in various fields, and the need for continuous professional development.

The importance of healing through yarning, forgiveness, and reconciliation for Indigenous Australians is discussed in ​Bernard Fan’s article, which defines the development of a First Australian Nation Healing Model for Indigenous Australians with Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) challenges. The impacts of colonisation and internalised oppression are considered along with the high levels of substance abuse and related issues among Indigenous Australians. ​The model aims to create a therapeutic framework to help Indigenous Australians recover from substance abuse and intergenerational trauma. ​

We hope you enjoy reading Digital Issue 1.2 of Counselling Australia!