Lecturer
Overview
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.
Qualifications
- Masters (Coursework) of Counselling, The University of Queensland
Publications
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Journal Article: Increasing complexity in case formulation: a process for counseling and psychotherapy trainees
Schirmer, Jim (2023). Increasing complexity in case formulation: a process for counseling and psychotherapy trainees. IAPS Journal of Practice in Mental Health, 1 (2), 62-69. doi: 10.4103/IJPMH.IJPMH_11_23
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Conference Publication: Virtues in action: exploring traits that have sustained experienced counsellors in the demands of practice
Schirmer, Jim (2023). Virtues in action: exploring traits that have sustained experienced counsellors in the demands of practice. Australian Counselling Association, Sydney, Australia, 30 September-1 October 2023.
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Conference Publication: Virtue in Psychotherapy: how philosophy and psychology could unravel therapist effects
Schirmer, Jim (2022). Virtue in Psychotherapy: how philosophy and psychology could unravel therapist effects. Australasian Society for Philosophy and Psychology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 17-19 February 2022.
Grants
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Effectiveness of focused psychological strategies when provided by counsellors or psychotherapists
(2021–2022) Australian Counselling Association
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(2020) Australian Counselling Association
Publications
Journal Article
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Increasing complexity in case formulation: a process for counseling and psychotherapy trainees
Schirmer, Jim (2023). Increasing complexity in case formulation: a process for counseling and psychotherapy trainees. IAPS Journal of Practice in Mental Health, 1 (2), 62-69. doi: 10.4103/IJPMH.IJPMH_11_23
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Supervision from two perspectives: comparing supervisor and supervisee experiences
Schirmer, Jim and Thompson, Sonia (2021). Supervision from two perspectives: comparing supervisor and supervisee experiences. Australian Counselling Research Journal, 15 (Spring Special Issue), 33-39.
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Supervision in counselling: a national report on the practice, content and value of supervision
Schirmer, Jim and Thompson, Sonia (2021). Supervision in counselling: a national report on the practice, content and value of supervision. Counselling Australia, 22 (4), 10-26.
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Du Mello Kenyon, Georgina and Schirmer, Jim (2020). Common practice elements of school-based trauma interventions for children and adolescents exhibiting symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder: A systematic review. Journal of Psychologists and Counsellors in Schools, 30 (2), 112-128. doi: 10.1017/jgc.2019.31
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From ethics to ethos: an expanded agenda for counsellor training and development
Schirmer, Jim (2019). From ethics to ethos: an expanded agenda for counsellor training and development. Psychotherapy and Counselling Journal of Australia, 7 (1). doi: 10.59158/001c.71110
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Schirmer, Jim (2018). The person of the counsellor in the outcome of counselling: the science of therapist effects and the potential of reform for evidence-based practice. Counselling Australia, 18 (3), 34-40.
Conference Publication
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Schirmer, Jim (2023). Virtues in action: exploring traits that have sustained experienced counsellors in the demands of practice. Australian Counselling Association, Sydney, Australia, 30 September-1 October 2023.
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Virtue in Psychotherapy: how philosophy and psychology could unravel therapist effects
Schirmer, Jim (2022). Virtue in Psychotherapy: how philosophy and psychology could unravel therapist effects. Australasian Society for Philosophy and Psychology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 17-19 February 2022.
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The supervision in counselling survey: results and implications for the profession
Schirmer, Jim and Thompson, Sonia (2021). The supervision in counselling survey: results and implications for the profession. Supervision in Turbulent Times, Online, 24 November 2021.
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A philosophy of ethos: A Virtue Ethics formulation of the professions
Schirmer, Jim (2019). A philosophy of ethos: A Virtue Ethics formulation of the professions. Professional Futures Conference: Challenges and opportunities for 21st Century professions, Brisbane, Australia, 5-8 February 2019.
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Schirmer, Jim (2019). Transformative Learning Experiences of Counsellor Trainees: Studying student experiences to inform pedagogy. Asia Pacific Rim Confederation of Counsellors Conference, Brisbane, Australia, 27-29 September 2019.
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“Lest we become monsters ourselves”: moral distress for trauma recovery workers
Schirmer, Jim (2019). “Lest we become monsters ourselves”: moral distress for trauma recovery workers. Australian and New Zealand Refugee Trauma Recovery in Resettlement Conference, Brisbane, Australia, 27-29 March 2019.
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Schirmer, Jim (2018). From stress to strength: exploring the intersection of counsellors’ professional challenges and personal growth. From Strength to Strength: Building Resilience through Counselling, Melbourne, 7-9 September 2018. Australian Counselling Association.
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Schirmer, Jim (2018). What do professions profess? Ethos, virtue and the potential for moral leadership from the professions. Ethics in a Crowded World: AAPAE Conference 2018, Melbourne, Australia, 5-7 September 2018. Australian Association for Professional & Applied Ethics.
Other Outputs
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Schirmer, Jim, Witteveen, Kate and O'Hara, Denis (2021). Evidence of focused psychological strategies provided by counsellors and psychotherapists: a systematic scoping review. Brisbane, Australia: The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/edfa455
Grants (Administered at UQ)
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Effectiveness of focused psychological strategies when provided by counsellors or psychotherapists
(2021–2022) Australian Counselling Association
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(2020) Australian Counselling Association
