Hello,

I am looking for information regarding the changes being made to the regulation of counsellors.

I am looking at taking a course that is designed to be an equivalent of a degree in counselling. At this time, I would be qualified to work as a counsellor with these qualifications, but I understand that in 2012(?) all counsellors will need to have a Master's degree to practice.

Where can I find more information on this? Are those who are already working as counsellors going to be "grandfathered" in? Any clarification on this topic would be a huge help.

Thanks in advance.

-Vince

Hello Vince,

The information that you have received that all counsellors will have to have a Master's degree by 2012 is "False". The CPCA, and other Canadian Counselling groups accept counsellors based on "competency criteria" and not necessarily counsellors who hold a particular "education type", e.g. a Master's degree. Canadian Law, including the Canada Competiton Act, the Canada Health Act, and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, promote "competency" as a standard of qualification, in order to prevent barriers to Mental Health Care and provide greater access to counselling services by the public. The argument presented that "The public will be better protected by those counsellors with a particular education type", is a myth.

There has been initiatives in Nova Scotia and British Colmbia to regulate counsellors.

The Nova Scotia attempt is reflected in NS Bill 201 which will (if proclaimed) provide protection of title for the Nova Scotia Assocation of Counselling Therapists(NSACT)who call themselves Registered Counselling Therapists. and Canadian Counsellor and Psychotherapist Association (CCPA) members, who have joint memberships with NSACT and the CCPA. NSACT and CCPA members require a minimum Master's degree for membership to their "credential based" Associations. Although Nova Scotia Bill 201 has passed through the NS legislature, it has not been proclaimed to date. Bill 201 has been openly criticized by "competency based" counselling Associations including the Canadian Professional Counsellors Association (CPCA. The Canada Competition Bureau advocated strongly against Bill 201 as did most other stakeholders who are not registered with NSACT/CCPA. Bill 201 will regulate only NSACT and or joint NSACT/CCPA members.
Even if Bill 201 is proclaimed CPCA members will be able to continue to practice in Nova Scotia and will be self-regulated as well as continue to enjoy reimbursement for services from many Insurance Companies, EAP's and government agencies.

In British Columbia, discussions have taken place between representatives of the British Columiba Association of Clinical Counsellors(BCACC) and the CPCA to propose to the British Coumbia Government a "competency based" Regulatory College for counsellors in B.C. There has been no indication to date, whether or not a B.C. Counselling College will be created. A date for the creation of a B.C. College would be purely "speculative" from any source. We have been informed that CPCA members would be "grandfatherd" or "ported" into a proposed B.C. College for Counsellors.

Quebec has regulation for Marriage and Family therapists. Ontario has passed regulation for Psychotherapists but not counsellors. All other Provinces and Territories do not have regulation for counsellors.

The CPCA believes that counsellors who possess natural abilities, life experience, counsellor skills and knowledge training (not a particular education type), combined with 2 years of clinical supervision, are eligible for membership in the CPCA. To be prevented from counselling if you do not have a Master's degree is a "myth".You are welcome to phone me directly at 1-888-945-2722 if you require further information.

Regards,

Jim Wright, President,
CPCA