Counsellor Professional Designations

In most jurisdictions counsellors are not required by law to be licensed to provide independent counselling services.  There are several professional associations that provide certification for counsellors although it is normally not mandatory for a counsellor to be a member of any professional association.  When counsellors are licensed by a professional body, clients can be assured that the counsellor has met a level of experience and education determined by their peers.  In addition, these counsellors are normally required to subscribe to a code of ethics and participate in ongoing professional development.

The following is a list of the main professional associations that provide licensure for counsellors in Canada. 

American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy  (AAMFT)

The American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy is an American body and provides certification for members to meet different state licensing requirements.  All AAMFT clinical members must be graduates from a recognized Masters program in marriage and family therapy.  Clinical members are required to complete 1000 hours of clinical work  under the supervision of a licensed AAMFT supervisor. Members must adhere to a professional code of ethics and document professional development hours for ongoing clinical membership.  Clinical members must also have submitted proof of a satisfactory criminal record search.

For further information go to the AAMFT website.

Certified Canadian Counsellor (CCC)

Members must possess a graduate degree, or equivalent, in counselling or a related professional field from an accredited higher educational institution and show evidence of graduate course work in the counselling field.  Certified counsellors are required to complete a period of counselling practice under supervision.

For further information go to the CCC website.

Canadian Psychological Association (CPA)

Members must possess at least a Masters degree in psychology, or its academic equivalent and demonstrate 150 hours of clinical supervised work.  Criminal record search is mandatory.  Adherence to a code of ethics is expected.  Ongoing professional development must be documented on an annual basis.

For further information go to the CPA website.

Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC)

Applicants for registration will be considered if they provide evidence of a Master's degree in counselling, clinical or educational psychology, pastoral counselling, marital and family counselling, clinical social work, psychiatric nursing, and applied behavioural sciences.  A registered clinical counsellor must demonstrate that his/her training was conducted under the supervision of a qualified mental health professional and that they have a satisfactory criminal record check.  Before the current requirements were implemented, some counsellors were able to become registered without Masters degrees.

For further information visit the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors.

Registered Social Worker (RSW)

Registered Social Workers must have a Bachelor of Social Work degree, satisfactory criminal record check and professional references.  Registered Social Workers are are able to work in private practice but have not had their credentials and experience reviewed by the Board of Registration and are not listed on the Private Practice Roster.

For further information visit the BRSW website.

Registered Social Worker (RSW) Approved for Private Practice

Registered Social Workers who have been approved for private practice have a period of supervised clinical experience in addition to completing a graduate program generally in social work or counselling.  Those approved for private practice must also have completed a satisfactory criminal record search.  Independent practitioners have their practice reviewed by the Board of Registration every four years to ensure they maintain their expertise in the areas of practice for which they are approved and that they engage in continuing professional education.  Once approved by the Board of Registration, they are listed on the Private Practice Roster.

For further information visit the BRSW website.

Canadian Professional Counsellors Association (CPCA)

The Professional Counsellor from CPCA attend to the emotional well being of people by applying principles and skills from the disciplines of mental heath, psychology or human development, through the use of cognitive, affective, behavioural or systemic interventions. Through these interventions the RPC can address wellness, personal growth, or career development, as well as pathology. In preparation for this challenging career, an RPC must undergo extensive education and training. This includes both academics and field training.   A candidate for registration must obtain satisfactory completion of the qualifying examination, plus  two years of experience in counselling practice accompanied by two letters of recommendation from counselling professionals.

For further information visit the Canadian Professional Counsellors Association website.