Rural Counselors and Psychologists in Australia: A Descriptive Survey of Professionals and Practice

Abstract

Rural counselors and psychologists in Australia face all of the professional challenges their urban counterparts experience while also encountering aspects unique to rural contexts. For example, clients in rural areas face special health risks and barriers to service to which practitioners must respond. Moreover, rural practitioners must address a wide array of presenting issues as few specialty services to which they can refer exist. Professionally, in rural areas, special concerns exist relating to dual relationships, privacy, confidentiality, and professional isolation. Technologically mediated communication has been promoted to support professional activities and, as a result, rural practitioners are increasingly under pressure to utilize technology. Many resources outline the unique characteristics of rural clients and rural service provision. However, few resources exist that simply describe the demographic and practice characteristics of practitioners providing services in rural Australia. This survey research in a field setting aimed to describe Australian Yellow Pages advertised counselors and psychologists who have self-identified as working in rural locations. The results, thus, provide a snapshot of rural practitioners in Australia. Data were collected using a multiple mailing survey method and results describe the sample’s (1) demographic characteristics, (2) training and development, (3) provision of services, (4) professional involvement, and (5) competence in six specific service provision areas. A brief overview of the unique characteristics of rural and remote counseling and psychological practice is provided.

Keywords:

• Australia
• counseling
• counselor
• description
• psychologist
• psychology
• remote
• rural
• workforce