REFLECTIONS BY A FORMER AHPRA REGISTERED PSYCHOLOGIST 

I spent three and a half years as an AHPRA registered psychologist in Australia, following a supervised practice plan as a provisional psychologist. My experience includes working with employee assistance programs (EAP) and a community organization that supports children affected by suicide and domestic violence. I lectured counseling students at a university and supervised their placements. I had a small private practice that I found incredibly fulfilling. It was a privilege to listen to people's stories, and I learned a great deal from remarkable clients I encountered.

I was also involved in whistleblower reporting for at risk children. After a traumatic experience in April 2022, I decided to close my practice in May 2022. There was a formal AHPRA investigation into the critical incident, that lasted 18 months, the results of which can be found on the AHPRA website.

My writing reflects my genuine personal views and experiences. I have chosen to step away from therapy profession, and while there are many successful registered psychologists and counselors sharing their insights, I encourage those in the field to seek supervision and mentorship. If you are a psychologist or counselor, I urge you to consider diverse viewpoints, reflect on your own life challenges, refer complex cases to specialized support, and maintain your own self-care and boundaries.