Mr Jim Schirmer

Jim Schirmer is an Lecturer in the Master of Counselling Program, and has taught into that program in a variety of roles since 2012. He specialises in teaching and supervising ethics and professional practice, counselling theories, family therapy, and practitioner-research, and is active in scholarship of teaching in this area. His background is in the humanities - specifically philosophy, ethics and theology - and maintains an interest in exploring the integration of these intellectual traditions within the theory and practice of psychotherapy. His doctoral research follows this trend in exploring ways to identify and develop virtues, strengths and values in the character of the counsellor which have potential to enhance the outcome of psychotherapy. He brings close to 20 years' experience in the human services field, specialising in working with adolescents and with refugee survivors of trauma, and maintains close connections to the field of professional practice.