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What the New National Standards for Counsellors and Psychotherapists Really Mean for You | With VMHPAA CEO Philip Armstrong & Dr Brooklyn Storme PhD
In this episode, I sit down with Philip Armstrong, CEO of the Vocational Mental Health Professionals Association of Australia (VMHPAA), to unpack the National Standards for Counsellors and Psychotherapists — what’s true, what’s still uncertain, and what it all means for your private practice.
If you’ve felt confused or anxious about what these standards might mean for you as a counsellor, psychotherapist, or student — you’re not alone. In this conversation, we explore the facts behind the draft, the myths circulating in online communities, and the practical implications for vocational and higher-education qualified practitioners. Philip clarifies the differences between licensing, registration, and endorsement, and together we talk through why it’s not yet official, how the process works, and where counsellors’ voices are needed most.
You’ll hear:
(00:37) Introduction to Philip Armstrong and the VMHPAA
(01:06) What’s really happening with the “official” national standards
(02:50) The consultation process and why response rates matter
(08:47) What a counselling license is and isn’t
(15:35) Where graduate diplomas fit in (and where they don’t)
(17:43) Supervision hours and how they may change
(20:28) Who decides what’s “low-risk” counselling?
(26:36) Is “counsellor” a protected title under the new standards?
(32:44) How licensing, endorsement, and accreditation all differ
(40:05) The future for diploma-qualified counsellors and supervisors
(45:15) Will these standards affect your ability to practice privately?
(53:11) What “conditional licensing” really means
(56:55) Why the current draft can’t yet be endorsed
(1:02:09) What changes the department needs to make next
(1:16:18) How counsellors can stay informed and get involved
If you’re a counsellor, psychotherapist, psychologist, or social worker in Australia trying to make sense of the evolving standards, this episode will help you understand the facts, stay calm, and know exactly where your professional voice matters.
For ongoing updates, advocacy, and to join the Vocational Mental Health Professionals Association of Australia, visit:
👉 https://vmhpaa.org.au
To learn more about my business coaching programs and resources for therapists, visit:
Practice Momentum – https://sales.brooklynstorme.com/momentum/
Booked & Better – https://sales.brooklynstorme.com/booked--better/
Website Wellness Check – https://sales.brooklynstorme.com/website-wellness-check-up-aud/
The Ultimate Private Practice Community – https://sales.brooklynstorme.com/ultimate-private-practice-free-community/
The Un-Discovery Call – https://sales.brooklynstorme.com/un-discovery-call/
The Happy Practice Store – https://thehappypractice.etsy.com
Quick Action Step:
Head to the VMHPAA website and make sure you’re subscribed for updates or membership. It’s one of the most effective ways to stay informed and have your say before any changes take effect.
Q: Are the National Standards for Counsellors and Psychotherapists now official?
A: No. The current document is still a draft with many unresolved areas. There’s no confirmed start date, licensing authority, or implementation plan.
Q: What’s the difference between a license and registration?
A: Registration (like with AHPRA psychologists) is a regulated requirement under law. The Standards are not legislated.
Q: Can counsellors with a Diploma still practice privately?
A: Yes. The draft no longer bans Diploma-qualified counsellors from private practice, largely thanks to advocacy from the VMHPAA.
Q: Should I be paying for a license now?
A: No. There’s currently no legitimate licensing body or requirement to pay licensing fees.
Q: How can counsellors get involved in consultation?
A: Join your professional association and stay engaged with official updates. The VMHPAA regularly holds public Q&A sessions and consultation forums for members and non-members alike at https://vmhpaa.org.au.
Get in touch
Send Philip Your Questions Here
Send Me Your Questions Here
Read the National Standards Here
Free VMHPAA Membership for Students Here
Join the VMHPAA Here for Qualified Mental Health Professionals
national standards for counsellors, national standards for psychotherapists, VMHPAA, vocational counsellor Australia, diploma counselling private practice, conditional license counselling, counselling regulation Australia, counselling endorsement, PACFA ACA differences, licensing counsellors Australia, Philip Armstrong VMHPAA, Dr Brooklyn Storme PhD, counsellor supervision hours, counselling qualifications AQF, private practice counsellor Australia, counselling legislation Australia, protecting counsellor title, counselling regulation changes 2025, counselling draft standards Australia, counsellor advocacy Australia
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By Dr Brooklyn Storme
5
55 ratings
In this episode, I sit down with Philip Armstrong, CEO of the Vocational Mental Health Professionals Association of Australia (VMHPAA), to unpack the National Standards for Counsellors and Psychotherapists — what’s true, what’s still uncertain, and what it all means for your private practice.
If you’ve felt confused or anxious about what these standards might mean for you as a counsellor, psychotherapist, or student — you’re not alone. In this conversation, we explore the facts behind the draft, the myths circulating in online communities, and the practical implications for vocational and higher-education qualified practitioners. Philip clarifies the differences between licensing, registration, and endorsement, and together we talk through why it’s not yet official, how the process works, and where counsellors’ voices are needed most.
You’ll hear:
(00:37) Introduction to Philip Armstrong and the VMHPAA
(01:06) What’s really happening with the “official” national standards
(02:50) The consultation process and why response rates matter
(08:47) What a counselling license is and isn’t
(15:35) Where graduate diplomas fit in (and where they don’t)
(17:43) Supervision hours and how they may change
(20:28) Who decides what’s “low-risk” counselling?
(26:36) Is “counsellor” a protected title under the new standards?
(32:44) How licensing, endorsement, and accreditation all differ
(40:05) The future for diploma-qualified counsellors and supervisors
(45:15) Will these standards affect your ability to practice privately?
(53:11) What “conditional licensing” really means
(56:55) Why the current draft can’t yet be endorsed
(1:02:09) What changes the department needs to make next
(1:16:18) How counsellors can stay informed and get involved
If you’re a counsellor, psychotherapist, psychologist, or social worker in Australia trying to make sense of the evolving standards, this episode will help you understand the facts, stay calm, and know exactly where your professional voice matters.
For ongoing updates, advocacy, and to join the Vocational Mental Health Professionals Association of Australia, visit:
👉 https://vmhpaa.org.au
To learn more about my business coaching programs and resources for therapists, visit:
Practice Momentum – https://sales.brooklynstorme.com/momentum/
Booked & Better – https://sales.brooklynstorme.com/booked--better/
Website Wellness Check – https://sales.brooklynstorme.com/website-wellness-check-up-aud/
The Ultimate Private Practice Community – https://sales.brooklynstorme.com/ultimate-private-practice-free-community/
The Un-Discovery Call – https://sales.brooklynstorme.com/un-discovery-call/
The Happy Practice Store – https://thehappypractice.etsy.com
Quick Action Step:
Head to the VMHPAA website and make sure you’re subscribed for updates or membership. It’s one of the most effective ways to stay informed and have your say before any changes take effect.
Q: Are the National Standards for Counsellors and Psychotherapists now official?
A: No. The current document is still a draft with many unresolved areas. There’s no confirmed start date, licensing authority, or implementation plan.
Q: What’s the difference between a license and registration?
A: Registration (like with AHPRA psychologists) is a regulated requirement under law. The Standards are not legislated.
Q: Can counsellors with a Diploma still practice privately?
A: Yes. The draft no longer bans Diploma-qualified counsellors from private practice, largely thanks to advocacy from the VMHPAA.
Q: Should I be paying for a license now?
A: No. There’s currently no legitimate licensing body or requirement to pay licensing fees.
Q: How can counsellors get involved in consultation?
A: Join your professional association and stay engaged with official updates. The VMHPAA regularly holds public Q&A sessions and consultation forums for members and non-members alike at https://vmhpaa.org.au.
Get in touch
Send Philip Your Questions Here
Send Me Your Questions Here
Read the National Standards Here
Free VMHPAA Membership for Students Here
Join the VMHPAA Here for Qualified Mental Health Professionals
national standards for counsellors, national standards for psychotherapists, VMHPAA, vocational counsellor Australia, diploma counselling private practice, conditional license counselling, counselling regulation Australia, counselling endorsement, PACFA ACA differences, licensing counsellors Australia, Philip Armstrong VMHPAA, Dr Brooklyn Storme PhD, counsellor supervision hours, counselling qualifications AQF, private practice counsellor Australia, counselling legislation Australia, protecting counsellor title, counselling regulation changes 2025, counselling draft standards Australia, counsellor advocacy Australia
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