Growing up in an Army family and later serving nearly 15 years as an ADF Medic, this month’s featured member, new ASORC Director Peta Siggers, brings a wealth of lived experience to Rehabilitation Counselling. Her career across clinical, non-clinical, and instructional roles sparked a deep interest in health, wellbeing and recovery, ultimately leading them to retrain and discover a profession that brings together her passion for supporting others to rebuild independence, purpose and confidence.
Please tell us briefly about yourself.
I grew up an Army kid, moving around the country, and eventually joined the army, serving as a Medic for nearly 15 years full‑time and a couple more as a reservist. My service took me to Kuwait, Indonesia, Afghanistan, and even Germany on exchange with the British Army. Along the way I worked across clinical, non‑clinical, and instructional roles, including as a Recruit Instructor, and developed a strong interest in health research, wellbeing, and rehabilitation in the ADF. In my final years of service, I had the chance to work closely with those teams, which is where I first discovered the role of Rehabilitation Counsellors.
How long have you been a Rehabilitation Counsellor?
I completed my Graduate Diploma in Rehabilitation Counselling from the University of Sydney at the end of 2018 and commenced with IPAR in January 2019.
When did you decide study to become a Rehabilitation Counsellor?
I always found myself researching vocational options and alternate career pathways whenever an Army mate wanted to do something new and then while I was working closely with Rehabilitation Consultants under the Australian Defence Force Rehabilitation Program (ADFRP) I got to know a few wonderful discipline qualified Rehabilitation Counsellors. I then realised I could join pretty much all the things I am passionate about into a single role as a Rehabilitation Counsellor and decided to re-train when I left the Army.
How do you maintain your own wellbeing while supporting others?
- At work: Boundary setting early and clear communication.
- I like to create a “third space” between work and home, especially with remote working, such as taking the dog for a walk, or sometimes just closing the office door to separate from work.
- Loves: Coffee, travel, reading, spending time with my dog, Lucy and my partner, Mitchell.
What skills or qualities do you think are essential for a Rehabilitation Counsellor?
- Strong communication skills and understanding when it is appropriate and needed to have challenging conversations with all stakeholders.
- Advocacy and ethical practice.
- Critical reflection.
What do you find most rewarding about Rehabilitation Counselling?
For me, supporting a client is about helping them return to wellbeing, whatever that looks like for them. Sometimes it’s employment, but just as often it’s safe housing, financial stability, or even receiving an Assistance Dog. What I love about being a Rehabilitation Counsellor is how holistic the work is, and the most rewarding moment is when a client tells me they don’t need me anymore because they’ve built the skills and supports to live as independently as possible.
How do you stay current in the field?
I’m a bit of a nerd at heart; I love diving into concepts and theories and exploring how they intersect. I stay curious and keep up with what’s happening across our community and workplaces, even beyond my own specialty. Ongoing study and CPD are a big part of how I stay engaged and keep learning.
What are some of the challenging aspects you have faced, and how did you overcome them?
My transition from the Army, though it was my choice, has still been challenging at times. I manage service‑related injuries daily and had to adapt to a whole new communication style in civilian workplaces. That lived experience gives me a unique perspective to truly understand what clients may be going through, and it helps me empathise with them and support their journey alongside as a Rehabilitation Counsellor.
What advice would you give to a student member?
Be kind to yourself. There are so many approaches, theories, and frameworks, and we’re all constantly learning and refining our practice as we grow. Focus on mastering the basics -communication (including Motivational Interviewing), rapport building, boundaries, time management, goal setting, and having the confidence to ask questions, and the rest will follow naturally.
How do you see the role of Rehabilitation Counsellors changing in the next 5–10 years?
- With strong governance, advocacy and further development of evidence-based research in the Australian context, our profession grows and is better understood by other professionals.
- Widened funding availability and accessibility for people in need.
- New opportunities in the allied health field that are well within our scope and professional expertise.
What are some of the misconceptions you have heard about the profession?
That we only work in return-to-work services or that we must only work in AOD fields.
If you could change one thing about the system, what would it be?
How clients can access our services and open this up to more funding pathways.