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Posted: 2019-01-18 13:05:00

“That is where rehab counselling really starts to shine. We help people make sense of where they fit within the world after they have experienced an injury, illness or traumatic event.”

Muirhead is the founder, director and principal consultant at rehabilitation consultancy Purple Co. She leads a team of clinicians who provide education, resources and support for clients who need to make challenging decisions about working.

Muirhead brings about 20 years of experience to her role. A typical day on the clinical side might involve seeing a client with an acquired brain injury about a pre-apprenticeship program, conducting a forensic-style assessment for an insurance company and spending time with a depressed client who is reconsidering their role in the workplace.

She estimates she devotes about 30 per cent of her overall role to her clinical work.

“I’m probably never going to give that up because I love the work that we do,” she says.

Muirhead’s qualifications include a bachelor of  health science (rehabilitation counselling) and a Certificate IV in workplace assessment and training.

The Australian Society of Rehabilitation Counsellors accredits rehabilitation counsellor training programs at just a couple of Australian universities today (La Trobe University and Flinders University) but counsellors trained in other programs can qualify for membership with the society on a case-by-case basis.

Muirhead says rehabilitation counsellors should prioritise becoming clinically competent and developing clinical expertise in their early years.

“Just because you have a university degree does not mean you are well qualified to work with clients,” Muirhead says. “That gives you a framework to then start your learning.”

Muirhead was awarded Rehabilitation Counsellor of the Year at the 2018 Australian Allied Health Awards.

This year, some of her goals include expanding the company’s client base, resetting client thinking about how to make work work and educating people about rehabilitation counselling.

“I’d also like to continue to raise the profile of rehabilitation counselling so people understand we do have something unique to offer people.”

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