Welcome back to a new edition of Counselling Australia.
Relationships are the soil, root and branches of our human experience – they impact every part of living, from early childhood to experiences in the workplace. Our latest edition presents insights into relationships from all angles, from how relationships influence birth and parenting to socio-cultural implications of Chinese language norms in the counselling room.
Firstly, Anika Ahmad Bull has penned a thoughtful piece on how the emphasis of many Western therapeutic frameworks on autonomy and assertiveness can be at odds with culturally appropriate counselling for clients with different backgrounds. Anika covers how the concept of “putting yourself first” isn’t always culturally neutral. For therapists working with clients whose identity is shaped through community and shared responsibilities, this piece calls for a relational approach to lived experience and wellbeing.
Alcohol and drug counsellor Will Duncan has contributed a nuanced perspective on how establishing and maintaining a genuine therapeutic relationship with clients often can create more impact in session than extensive models, modalities or theory. Though these are important, Will outlines how the transformative power of relationships is often the basis for authentic human connection, particularly for clients sharing lived experience of addiction and trauma.
This edition also covers neurodivergent love languages, a perspective on burnout and supervision, and a new take on a therapeutic approach to limerence, as well as interviews with two of our ACA Excellence Award winners for 2026, Rayma Torresan and Dr Jessica Leong, alongside a look at the other incredible people working across the counselling profession today.
We’re also pleased to publish an update from Professor Mick Cooper as he launches the second edition of Essential Research Findings in Counselling and Psychotherapy. His work covers the increasing importance of tailoring therapy to individual clients, the effectiveness of active therapies vs therapist-led approaches, and much more.
Mark your calendars for ACA’s next research symposium on the topic of Child and Youth, which will be held in Sydney and online on Thursday, October 22. This one-day event brings together leading experts across research, policy, education, and frontline practice to explore the issues shaping the lives of children and young people today.
The ACA Team