ASCHP

The ASCHP is home to community or workplace-based counsellors who work in structured and supervised environments including, but not limited to private Wellness/Counselling Centres or government institutions, schools, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO’s) including Faith Based, Community Based and Not-for-Profit Organisations, the South African Police Service, Counselling Call Centres, Hospitals, Clinics and Support Agencies, Sports Centres, Education and Training facilities, Health and Emergency services and facilities. A nationally recognized professional body ensures consistency in standards across and within provinces in South Africa, and across different counselling contexts. It provides a learning pathway for unqualified counsellors who currently work in a variety of contexts, often in environments where mental health professional such as psychologists and social workers are not necessarily accessible to the majority of the population. Registration of counsellors with a professional body will provide a consistent basis for evaluating and regulating counselling and will ensure greater access to counselling services. Counselling enables one or more people to go through the process of finding solutions to their concerns or difficulties. Counselling may take various forms, including with individuals, couples, families or domestic units and groups. The ASCHP has identified accredited training providers to enable counsellors to gain accredited and applicable qualifications. This will allow counsellors to be recognised and will address current national health and social service priorities. Ideally, qualifying learners will operate under supervision.