About Counselling (and John Hunter)
Counselling is a collaborative, supportive, encouraging process; a two way conversation with the goal of making useful changes in patterns of thought, feeling, behaviour and relating. Counselling is not a sign of weakness or a surrender of independence. It is a sensible seeking of temporary assistance to resolve an issue that refuses to respond to our own best efforts.
You benefit by the chance to "open up" and discuss in confidence, at your own pace, issues you may not wish to share with loved ones, family and friends; to deal with troubling emotional hurdles preventing you from progressing; to gain greater clarity about your situation; and to plan action to get your life back on track.
For my part, I will listen without judging you, respect your values, be responsive, provide useful objective feedback, help you realise past strengths and apply them to your present life, support you through the process of deciding what changes you want to make, and provide practical ideas which may help.
I welcome the opportunity to discuss any questions you may have about counselling with me, free of charge and completely without obligation.
About John Hunter.
My formal qualifications are in Social Work and Education. I am an accredited member of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) and a clinical member of the peak counselling body, the Australian Counselling Association (ACA). Membership status is maintained by mandatory participation in documented ongoing professional education and clinical supervision. Membership of the AASW also includes public liability insurance for your protection.
I am a registered Australian Counselling Association (ACA) supervisor and a registered Medicare Provider of counselling.
Besides my private practice I have experience in drug and alcohol, hospital, aged care and gambling counselling and have been employed by well known 24-hour telephone counselling and referral services.
Philosophy
I believe people are generally doing the best they can and are the real "experts" on what will work for them. I consider it a privilege to work with people who, like me, have at one time or another in their lives, reached the end of their own personal resources without reaching a resolution or goal, and have the courage to share their anxieties and fears with a helping professional.