Theresa receives top national award for Supervisor Excellence

When SVdP Qld Child and Family Program Area Manager Theresa McEwan received a missed call from the Australian Counselling Association, she assumed the worst.

“I don’t know why they were calling me, I thought I must be in trouble!” she said.

The real reason was much more welcome - Theresa had just won the Supervisor Excellence Award at the 2026 ACA Annual Counselling Excellence Awards.

As this was a national award that considered counselling and psychotherapy teams from across the country, Theresa was quite shocked by the news.

“I was surprised and very humbled, especially considering that I was nominated by my peers,” she said.

“It’s easy to take your work for granted sometimes, but I feel very privileged to have my work recognised by those around me.”

Theresa started her work with families as a volunteer supporting families experiencing grief and loss, eventually landing a role at St Vincent de Paul Queensland where she has been for more than 10 years.

In 2025, she became the Area Manager for the Child and Family program across South-East Queensland, supporting 16 Employees across two family intervention programs and two counselling programs.

“I believe everyone has the ability to reach their full potential, some just need a bit of help along the way,” she said.

“I may be biased, but I also have a really great team that I get to work with.”

Theresa’s work, and the work of the Child and Family Program as a whole, helps families connect with each other, giving them a safe place to be themselves and to support one another through whatever challenges they’re facing.

“We always have a big referral list and a big demand. We’re very careful to avoid burnout and our team support each other through case discussions, peer case management and individual supervision,” Theresa said.

Theresa went down to Melbourne to receive her award in person at the official Counselling Excellence Awards in late May, which she described as an ‘amazing experience.’