Meet Penny Adams
Each month we spotlight an ACA member in the ACA Monthly Bulletin, our monthly newsletter. The Member Spotlight is designed to showcase the work of our members to you! We hope their stories inspire or spark interest. Let’s share our experiences within our counselling community.
What motivated you to pursue a career in counselling? Â
Counselling is a second career for me. Personal tragedy is what inspired me to pursue counselling. In my early 20s, I lost both my parents within three months of each other, and it changed my entire world. A lack of mental health support at that time meant the grief and unimaginable loss were overwhelming, but this tragedy forged the path for my future in counselling. When I sought counselling for myself, I realised just how transformative the process could be. That experience planted a seed, a calling to support others as I had been.
My early counselling career focused on schools, and I spent nearly a decade across three schools supporting young people and their families. I also found a sense of purpose and achievement working in RTO’s training and equipping the next generation of counsellors. I have been operating a private practice – Seasons of Life Counselling, since 2019.
What specific areas do you primarily work within?
In counselling, I work primarily with women experiencing life transitions, stress, burnout and change. I work with couples, predominately FIFO couples, as I have a lived experience of 20 years as a FIFO family.
In supervision, I work with many counsellors across organisations and private practices. I specialise in school counselling and also private practice establishment and growth. I love running group supervision that is affordable and accessible. I have also spent the last 4 years delivering supervising training to equip the next generation of supervisors.
Can you share a recent success or achievement in your counselling work that you're proud of?Â
I have just written my first book! The Counsellors Chair: The Proven Framework for Private Practice Success. The launch of the book is exciting, and it is due for release in early June. I can’t wait to share my knowledge of establishing and growing an ethical counselling business in Australia.
What is the most rewarding aspect of being a counsellor for you? Â
As a counsellor, I experience great joy when I see the ‘ah huh’ moments when they join the dots and gain awareness, and because of that, I can experience healing and growth. There is no greater privilege than helping to facilitate hope and purpose in someone’s life.
As a supervisor, I love helping other counsellors grow, develop, and fulfil their career dreams. It provides a lot of satisfaction and gives back to the industry.
How do you contribute to the betterment of the profession and your community? Â
Being based in rural South Australia, I provide counselling services that are affordable and accessible. As a supervisor, I hold the same value and aim to provide supervision so that all counsellors can access affordable professional supervision. I am also the co-founder of a large community group for counsellors, and we provide ongoing support and community for Australian counsellors.
Are there any projects or initiatives you're currently involved in? Â
Between running a full time counselling and supervision business, a community and writing a book I am currently a busy person.
What advice would you give to someone considering a career in counselling/psychotherapy? Â
First and foremost, do your homework! Research your options, talk to people who have been in the industry for some time and ask questions. Understand the difference between counselling, social work and psychology. Talk to someone at the ACA about the industry and pick a qualification that the ACA recognises. Engage in personal counselling – many of us want to be counsellors due to our own lived experience. However, we still need to do our own work and know what it is like to be in the client’s seat. Learning to be a counsellor is a life-long journey – it never ends.
Is there a quote or philosophy that inspires your work? Â
Decision is the spark that ignites action. Until a decision is made, nothing happens. Decision is the courageous facing of issues, knowing that if they are not faced, problems will remain forever unanswered. Wilford A. Peterson
Open question - tell anything that was not asked in the previous questions?Â
I am a West Highland Terrier fanatic! We own a 14-year-old Westie named Abbey. Westies have the most amazing and cheeky personalities – they are part human, I am sure. She has been my faithful companion for many years and watched my kids grow up. Abbey always listens with unconditional positive regard (unless cheese is involved).
