It's no secret counselling services in rural and regional areas can be few and far between, but what's not so well known is the fact there's now a degree offered locally to try and address the shortage.

The Anglican Counselling Service in Tamworth is justifiably proud of the Lois Reid College of Counselling Studies, which is now offering the newly-accredited Bachelor of Counselling Studies, the first of its kind in a rural area.

The external degree was accredited last year, but has been 20 years in the making, after counsellor Lois Reid was invited to Tamworth from Sydney in 1985 by Reverend Ray Smith - the then archdeacon of Christian education for the Anglican church - to conduct an awareness course.

Another course followed and in 1986 she was invited to move to town and establish a branch of the Anglican Counselling Service.

She continued to travel extensively around the region conducting counselling training, with the course gradually evolving into the degree it's become today.

There are about 30 students currently studying though the college, with a small number to graduate at the end of this year.  It takes between three and six years to complete depending on whether students study full-time or part-time.

College principal Jenny Regan said the course was vital for boosting the ranks of counsellors in rural areas, with the recent drought and its economic and social impacts further straining resources.

"We had a call from Dubbo the other day asking if we had any counsellors," she said.

"There's a huge need."

She said there were enquiries about the course from all parts of the State and beyond, however there were few enrolled from outside the region because of the need to do the practical components in this area.

The course in Tamworth is run out of the Anglican Counselling Service headquarters in Bridge St, with the practical units also held in Armidale, Inverell and Moree.

While the college's parent body is part of the Anglican church, the course itself is non-denominational and open to anyone interested in becoming a  counsellor.  For more information contact the college on 6765 2527.

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Last modified: 03-Sep-2008