Bermuda's counsellors have finally come together as one voice.

A voice that can respond to issues as they arise, a voice that other "non-professional'' counsellors have to answer to and a voice that is respectful of others in need of assistance.

Organised by Victor Scott Primary school counsellor Marilynn Smith, the Bermuda Counsellors Association, which is in its early stages, is aimed at local professional counsellors no matter what area they are in.

"This is brand new, it has just been formed and we have been meeting to organise the association for about a year and a half,'' Mrs. Smith said.

She added: "We just completed our constitution and are getting ready to submit and register ourselves as an association.

"We felt it was time to come together and embody ourselves as an association for those with a Masters degree in counselling and related areas which qualifies them to work.'' Mrs. Smith also said the counsellors wanted to be seen as a respected voice in the community "so we could respond to issues as they arise. We also felt the group, which consists of eight to ten ongoing members, could provide the community with professionalism, accountability, perimeters, and guidelines which could be set, which everyone should operate by.

"And certain ethical standards could be reinforced such as confidentiality.'' Member of the association Liz Smith of the Child Development Programme said the association would also create support for each other in the counselling field.

"It is a stressful field and people in the profession need support. They need to relate to other professionals who have experienced similar situations, and this would certainly give them the confidence and ability to deal with persons who are seeking our services,'' Ms Smith said.

She added: "It would increase our professional development and support us emotionally.'' Mrs. Smith said the goal for the association is to be affiliated with the American Counselling Association.

"That is important. It's one of the requirements of starting an association, a local professional organisation has to have ties with an international one.

"The ACA has been a tremendous support helping with information and it is their by-laws and ethical standards that we are adhering ourselves to. Most of us are already members of that particular association.'' Counsellor Mira Ingemann, of the Bermuda College, said when she returned to the Island from school she searched for an association for accredited counsellors to become involved in and found there were none.

"There has been true exploitation of people who call themselves counsellors and are not. And there has to be an association that helps to maintain the standard of professionals in this community,'' Ms Ingemann said.

She added: "Just as there is the opportunity for people to "shop around'' for doctors they should also have the chance to do the same with counsellors.

"Today people wanting a counsellor's services often have to put up with negative things and those counsellors need to be held accountable. And the community should be able to identify you with an accredited place.'' Ms Ingemann also said she hoped the association eliminated the myths about counsellors. Mrs. Smith added that many people think that counsellors are only associated with schools but they are in several different areas of the community.

Asked where she saw the association years from now Mrs. Smith said: "I see ourselves as a recognised body, an established charity and a branch of the ACA.

"Starting this association makes me feel good, proactive, and progressive. I see it growing and developing for us as individuals, getting us down in the community and getting people involved. No matter what, we are going to keep moving along and we will make this a reality. We feel the time for an association is long overdue.'' The Bermuda Counsellors Association meets every second Thursday of the month at 4.30 p.m. at BIU headquarters. For more information contact Marilynn Smith at Victor Scott Primary.

COMING TOGETHER -- Bermuda's counsellors now have an association to call their own aimed at providing support for each other and creating one voice in the community. Pictured are counsellors Ms Mira Ingemann (standing) and Mrs.

Marilynn Smith.