Philip Armstrong Email & Phone Number

Optimise Potential (OP) is a leading organisation dedicated to professional development, supervision, and mental health training across various sectors. Founded by Philip Armstrong, OP delivers innovative programs such as the RISE UP supervision program, which equips professionals with the skills needed to foster resilience, leadership, and effective management in workplaces. OP's work spans multiple industries, including healthcare, veterans' services, and commercial sectors, both in Australia and internationally.OP has secured significant funding from government bodies, including $520k from the Queensland Department of Health to co-develop non-clinical supervision concepts for lived experience workers, and $120k from NSW Health to train nurses and midwives. The organisation also supports cross-cultural collaborations, delivering training programs in the Asia Pacific region and co-founding the Indian Association of Professional Supervisors. Committed to social impact, OP has sponsored fundraisers for causes like cancer research and veteran support, while offering pro bono courses in countries like Nepal.With a team of licensed trainers across Australia and abroad, Optimise Potential continues to set the standard for professional supervision, workforce development, and community impact.

Secretary-General - Asia Pacific Rim Confederation of Counsellors (2002 to 2019)Engaged in seeking out counselling organisations in APAC Rim Region to bid to organise and run conferences on behalf of the APRCC, I oversaw the organisation’s identification strategy and conference planning. As a result of this work, bi-annual conferences have been run since 2008 across the APAC Rim region in Hong Kong, China, Malaysia, Singapore and Brisbane. APRCC culminated in a joint conference in Brisbane in 2018 with the American and Australian Counselling Associations. APRCC will be running its first post-COVID conference in Hong Kong soon. Email if you want further information.

Australian Counselling Association Inc.Oversaw all facets of Australia’s preeminent organisation responsible for representing the interests of counselling practitioners and the profession. Led, guided and supported over 15,000 members and 32 chapters across Australia, helping them to meet their professional and business goals. Established, maintained and grew formal and informal relationships with other industry bodies located in Australia and overseas, leveraging these to drive key organisational objectives. Coordinated all strategic and operational business planning, ensuring that all facets of organisational activity contribute to key business objectives. Engaged with government and sector officials to identify and implement pathways to raise the credibility and profile of the counselling profession. Championed the establishment of an accreditation system, ensuring that counselling professionals have clear protocols for professional development and certification. Administered a multi-million-dollar annual budget, demonstrating exceptional business acumen and achieving a robust return on investment. Coached, mentored and developed eight direct reports, one national association board member and 32 chapter chairs. • Established ACA as the preeminent counselling association in Australia and as a financially independent not-for-profit, growing the membership base YOY by 26% growth to +15k members in 2023;• Built industry expectations and mechanisms and industry standards, bolstering the legitimacy of the counselling profession in mental health care in Australia globally; • Established an industry-wide accreditation system• Significantly improved organisational efficiencies and championed digitisation via the development and implementation of new IMS system in 2018/2019• Recognised as a thought leader, invited as a member of several university curriculum development and course advisory boards and as a keynote speaker at events across Australia and APAC.

Co-ordinate mental health and allied health services for veterans and their families.Develop services and programs for veterans and their families Advocate on behalf of Veterans to the Department of Veterans AffairsSet up information services cell at Pinjarra Hills war homes.Provide counselling and referral services to Veterans

Philip served in the 3rd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment (RAR), Defence Platoon HQ Company 3 Brigade, 2/4 RAR, 5/6 Royal Victorian Regiment, 5/7 RAR (Mechanised). Medically discharged in 1994 as a consequence of injuries suffered whilst serving overseas in Malaysia.

Bachelor'S Degree, Counselling

Diploma In Applied Science (Counselling), Counselling

Diploma In Psychology & Diploma In Child Psychology, Psychology

Accredited Certificate, Diet And Nutrition

Certificate Iv Training & Assessment

Phd, Counselling Supervision

Foundations Of Directorship Program, Role Of Directors, Strategy And Risk For Directors & Finance For Directors