Research Committee

The PACFA Research Committee oversees implementation of PACFA’s important role relating to research.

The PACFA Board provides direction on research priorities as detailed in PACFA's Strategic Plan.

PACFA has two major roles in relation to research:

• disseminating information to the profession about the evidence-informed practices relating to counselling and psychotherapy;
• facilitating and commissioning high quality, original research, including literature searches and reviews, into the processes and outcomes of counselling and psychotherapy. Particular focus is given to areas that are important for the profession’s development, particularly where research activity in Australia has been underdeveloped to date; and areas that underpin PACFA’s position in policy and advocacy initiatives.

Research Committee members

Dr Cathy Bettman (Chair) is currently Deputy Dean of Counselling and Psychotherapy at The Cairnmillar Institute. With over 20 years of lecturing and counselling in diverse contexts, Dr Cathy Bettman is a champion of evidence-based mental health practices. She supervises students, interns and practitioners in clinical and research settings.

For her PhD, Cathy conducted a qualitative research study in the area of domestic violence. Her thesis was entitled: Patriarchy: The Predominant Discourse and Font of Domestic Violence. This study resulted in her achieving a reputation as a feminist researcher although she prefers her philosophical stance to be understood as more inclusive. Having been trained in humanistic and systemic frameworks, she brings to the role social constructivist, constructionist and dialogical paradigms. Her qualifications also include MSc (Psychotherapy), Master of Couple and Family Therapy, Master of Counselling, Post Graduate Diploma in Conflict Resolution and BA.

The Research Committee Chair is appointed by the Board on the recommendation of the Committee, and must be a PACFA member or a member of a PACFA Member Association, have a Higher Degree Research Qualification, experience in conducting and publishing research, and a demonstrated understanding of ethical issues in the conduct of research.

As Chair, Dr Bettman is responsible for presenting the views and considerations of the committee to the PACFA Board for discussion, and for carrying out decisions made by the Board.

Deputy Chair:
Vacant

Adrian Holmes is a counsellor, author and educator based in Brisbane, Australia. Adrian has been working in the human services field for two decades and is currently completing PhD research on mental health and social policy in Australia and overseas. Adrian co-founded and manages the training and supervision organisation Tools For Hard Conversations and released his first book Tools For Hard Conversations in the Helping Professions in 2020. It is now the preferred text book for a number of university courses and has become a valued resource for human services workers who want to work in helpful ways outside of the dominant medical model. To contact Adrian, please email [email protected]

Jules F. B. Silva is a psychotherapist in private practice in Melbourne, working with individuals and couples, with special interests; grief, loss, trauma (and addiction), existential concerns, climate crisis-related psychology and justice, and finding ways to support clients as we face into ever-increasingly uncertain futures across the multiple domains of life. Jules is also a climate psychology researcher, recently published (2022) in the BACP journal, Counselling and Psychotherapy Research, and is currently pursuing further research (PhD) on ways forward for clinical practice in response to the climate and biodiversity crisis. Jules is a registered therapist and group facilitator in climate psychology-dedicated organisations in Australia and the U.K. To contact Jules please email: [email protected].

Dr Alexandra Bloch-Atefi (PhD) is currently a Program Coordinator with the Graduate Program in Counselling and Psychotherapy at the University of Adelaide. Alexandra has been working in the field of mental health for over 25 years. She has worked in various settings such as community services, business organisations, hospitals, and in private practice. She is a former PACFA Research Chair and maintains Research Committee and PACJA Editorial Board membership. Alexandra holds memberships with the Association of Soul Centred Psychotherapists (ASCP) and the Australian Psychological Society (APS). Her research interests include trauma, mindfulness, climate change and creative approaches as well as how to advance the field of counselling and psychotherapy.

Alessandro Digiacomo is a dedicated school counsellor and former secondary school teacher with a deep passion for counselling and education. He has earned three master’s degrees in Counselling & Psychotherapy, Teaching, and Italian Teaching. With two academic publications in the fields of Counselling and Education, he is now pursuing PhD research in school counselling. Alessandro's current research expands on his earlier work published in Cambridge’s Journal of Psychologists and Counsellors in Schools, where he also serves as a peer reviewer. His PhD study focuses on school counsellors' perspectives on working with secondary school students who experience social, emotional, and behavioural difficulties. In addition to his research, Alessandro is an academic tutor in counselling at ACAP, where he is passionate about educating and mentoring the next generation of counsellors.

Composition of the Research Committee

The Research Committee will comprise the following members:

• A Chair appointed by the Board on the recommendation of the Committee. The Chair must be a PACFA member or a member of a PACFA Member Association, have a Higher Degree Research qualification, experience in conducting and publishing research and a demonstrated understanding of ethical issues in the conduct of research;
• Up to five additional members, comprising of a member of the College of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Healing Practices (CATSIHP) and ordinary PACFA members or members of PACFA Member Associations, who have a higher degree research qualification and are research-active; or other relevant qualifications and experience;
• Up to two other experts, who have higher degree research qualifications, experience in conducting and publishing research and a demonstrated understanding of ethical issues in the conduct of research, who may be invited to act as external advisors as need arises. These individuals do not necessarily have to be PACFA Members;
• One other person who is a member of a relevant national body representing Aboriginal health and wellbeing, consumers and/or carers, or other cultural or social groups may be invited to contribute on relevant matters as need arises. These members are not expected to be PACFA Members.

Terms of Reference

Download the Research Committee Terms of Reference for full details of the Research Committee's role.

For research enquiries, please email the PACFA office.