New Zealand Association of Counsellors (NZAC)

Overview:

Profession(s): Counselling
Member Type(s): Counsellors, Therapists
Scope: National - New Zealand
Formed: 1974
Registration No.: 218087
Address: P O Box 165, Hamilton, 2015, New Zealand
Phone: 64-7-8340220
Fax: 64-7-8340221
Email: execofficer@nzac.org.nz
Website: www.nzac.org.nz

Description:

NZAC is the largest organisation of its kind in New Zealand. It provides a forum for counselling practitioners to meet, share, and influence the promotion of safe and effective counselling pra. Notwithstanding its voluntary nature, in the absence of statutory oversight of counselling , NZAC is seen to be the de facto registration body for counsellors.

Mission/Aims:

The New Zealand Association of Counsellors believes that counsellors work to:

Provide individuals, families, groups and institutions with expanded or alternative perspectives and choices

Foster personal and social conditions in which client growth and development can occur

Encourage, support and challenge clients to translate their enhanced awareness into actions which increase a sense of worth and mastery

Offer leadership in the area of human relationships with awareness of and respect for difference

Advocate for those who are disempowered

Principal Activities:

This Code applies to all NZAC Members and Applicants in the full range of their professional practices. Professional practice may include work in the roles of: counsellor, supervisor, therapist, trainer, educator, researcher, advocate, mediator, consultant, manager, coach, community worker, group facilitator, mentor, psychotherapist and spiritual advisor. The generic terms “counsellor” and “counselling” apply to all professional roles undertaken by Members. The term “client” refers to those receiving the “counselling” services.

Member Benefits:

Publishes a quarterly Newsletter to keep members informed about current events in the association and in the community.
Publishes, twice yearly, the New Zealand Journal Of Counselling providing members up to date information on counselling research, practices and book reviews.
Publishes commissioned books on best practice issues - in print volume "Counselling and the Law".
Has a Code of Ethics as a guide to the professional conduct of members.
Offers Professional Indemnity Insurance cover to members.
Issues an Annual Certificate of Practice upon satisfactory completion of annual renewal documentation.
Has twenty-one branches offering localised professional development activities and collegial opportunities.
Sponsors an annual research conference.
Sponsors sector group conferences ( school counsellors, tertiary educators).
Offers grants to members for travel to overseas conferences or training, a Study Fellowship and Research.

Training/Licensing/Certification:

Professional development activities
Annual supervision and professional development review
Bi-annual conference seminars and workshops

Affiliations:

Associations to which we are a member:
International Association for Counselling
Not-for-Profit Network
AssociationsNZ

Our member Associations, Chapters, Divisions:
Canadian Counselling Association

Partner Associations:
NZ Christian Counsellors Association

Verification Criteria:

Annual Certificate of Practice