New Brunswick Association of Counselling Therapists

Transcription

1 Membership Information NBACT - New Brunswick Association of Counselling Therapists, formerly known as the Stakeholder s Group, was incorporated in January Members of the Association are professional counsellors who work in a variety of occupations, and who are interested in pursuing the statutory regulation of Counselling Therapists in the province of New Brunswick. The Association has chosen to mirror the goals and bylaws of the Nova Scotia Association of Counselling Therapists since statutory regulation for this group of professionals was achieved in Nova Scotia in November 2008 with the passing of The Counselling Therapist Act. Since October 2008, NBACT has been working with other professional counselling associations to determine the best way to move forward as a cohesive group. We know that the Minister of Health is informed of the legislation in Nova Scotia, and is considering the situation with respect to statutory regulation in New Brunswick. Legislation is essential for the protection of the public. Presently, anyone in the province can practice mental health counselling under a variety of different titles, often in private, unsupervised settings with emotionally vulnerable clients. In addition, there is no guarantee that the practitioner has any professional affiliation, supervision, or even formal training in mental health therapy. The potential risks are considerable, and members of the profession have a duty to ensure that the public has access to and can identify qualified, ethical and experienced counselling professionals in the field of mental health. It is with this in mind, that we invite other counsellors, and counselling students in the province to join NBACT in support of the goals of the Association: To support and promote the development of legislation to govern the practice of therapeutic counselling by Registered Counselling Therapists To establish and maintain a registration process for members who meet specific educational and experience criteria Until such time as statutory regulation is achieved, to regulate the practice of therapeutic counselling in New Brunswick by its members through implementation of a Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice, and the establishment and maintenance of a professional conduct process for practitioners To promote public awareness and support for the practice of therapeutic counselling To promote the professional development of counsellors, and to provide opportunities for counselling therapists to share information, research findings, viewpoints, and common concerns. Currently, membership is open to Canadian Certified Counsellors in New Brunswick, or counsellors who are eligible to apply for certification through the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. Membership is also open to Canadian students enrolled in a Masters degree program in the field of counselling at an AUCC recognized educational institution For clarification or additional information, please contact the NBACT registrar: Nancy Cusack, BSc, BEd, MEd, CCC, RTC. [email protected], phone:

2 Application for Membership Name: (First) (Last) Workplace/Occupation: Mailing address: Tel: Fax: Please complete Part A or Part B. Part A. For applicants with Canadian Counsellor Certification (CCC). CCA membership number: (Please provide a copy of CCC certificate with the understanding that NBACT may contact the Canadian Counselling Association to confirm CCC status.) Part B. For other eligible applicants with a graduate degree in counselling or a related professional field from an AUCC recognized educational institution. Graduate degree: (Please provide copies of transcript and degree certificate.) Declaration and Ethics Pledge (Please read and sign in the space below.) I confirm that I do not have a criminal record that might prejudice my work as a counsellor and that I have not been dismissed from employment or refused membership in a professional association or registration in counselling or a related field, on the grounds of professional misconduct in Canada or elsewhere. If this is the case, I attach details of conviction(s) to be taken into account in considering this application for membership. By becoming a member of NBACT - the New Brunswick Association of Counseling Therapists, I agree that NBACT is authorized to collect, utilize and disclose personal information regarding my status within NBACT and any other information required to comply with NBACT's mission of protecting the interest of the public as a whole. As a member of the New Brunswick Association of Counselling Therapists, I hereby pledge to uphold the NBACT Code of Ethics at all times. [NBACT has adopted the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association Code of Ethics available for viewing at: ] Signature: Date: Please remember to enclose: 1) Appropriate documentation as indicated in part A or B above. 2) Membership fee of $ ) Evidence of a criminal record check within the past 12 months Send completed application to: Nancy Cusack, Registrar, NBACT. 32 Crescent Dr. Rothesay NB E2H 1E4. Confirmation of this application will be sent to you as soon as processing is complete

3 Application for Student Membership Name: (First) (Last) University: Program: Mailing address: Tel: Fax: For eligible student applicants enrolled in a Graduate Degree in Counselling or a related professional field from an AUCC recognized educational institution. Please provide the following information: 1) Transcript or documentation of enrollment in a graduate program. 2) $50.00 student membership fee Declaration and Ethics Pledge (Please read and sign in the space below.) By becoming a student member of NBACT - the New Brunswick Association of Counseling Therapists, I agree that NBACT is authorized to collect, utilize and disclose personal information regarding my status within NBACT and any other information required to comply with NBACT's mission of protecting the interest of the public as a whole. As a student member of the New Brunswick Association of Counselling Therapists, I hereby pledge to uphold the NBACT Code of Ethics at all times. [NBACT has adopted the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association Code of Ethics available for viewing at: ] Signature: Date: Please remember to enclose: Appropriate documentation as listed above: membership fee of $50.00, and documentation of graduate degree enrollment/ Transcript Send completed application to: Nancy Cusack, Registrar, NBACT. 32 Crescent Dr. Rothesay NB E2H 1E4. Confirmation of this application will be sent to you as soon as processing is complete

4 Notes on the status of statutory regulation across the country Nova Scotia Since 1995, the Nova Scotia Association of Counselling Therapists has worked towards the statutory regulation of professional counsellors/counselling therapists in that province. On November 24, 2008, Bill 201 passed its third and final reading in the House, and was granted Royal Assent the following day as the Counselling Therapists Act: An Act Respecting the Practice of Counselling Therapists. Quebec A number of professions related to counselling are currently regulated. Guidance Counsellors and Vocational Guidance Counsellors are regulated under l Ordre des conseillers et conseillères d orientation et des psychoéducateurs et psychoéducatrices du Québec (OCCOPPQ) ( (An Ordre is the equivalent of a Regulatory Body/College in Quebec.) Marriage and Family Therapists are regulated under the order for Social Workers. Family Mediators do not have their own ordre. They are regulated under one of several other orders (lawer, social worker, psychologist, career counsellor, notary). Ontario Bill 171, the Psychotherapy Act, was passed and received Royal Assent in June 2007 under the Registered Health Professions Act. The bill provides for a new College of Psychotherapists with title protection for Psychotherapists and Mental Health Therapists. Professional Counsellors with CCC credentials will be eligible to register as Mental Health Therapists. British Columbia The Task Group for Counsellor Regulation represents a number of different professional counselling associations who have been working together towards statutory regulation. In 2003, the Ministry of Health determined that counselling should be designated under the Health Professions Act. The Task Group developed a Competency Profile for Counselling Therapists and presented it to the first National Symposium on Counsellor Regulation in Vancouver in The competency profile has been validated by counsellors in BC, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and PEI. Currently, the BC government seems open to accepting a proposal for the regulation of Counselling Therapists. Prince Edward Island Members of PEICA (Prince Edward Island Counselling Association), have been actively engaged in pursuing legislation for the past few years. The initial impetus seems to have been stalled with the election of a new government in (Information gathered from the Summary Report on the Regulation of Counsellors across Canada prepared for the National Symposium on Counsellor Regulation, November 2005; the Second Supplementary to the Proposal to the Department of Health for the Regulation of Counselling Therapists in Nova Scotia, Sept. 2007; and presentations made at the National Symposium on Inter-Provincial Mobility within the Counselling Profession, November 2008 ) See: for additional information on legislation across Canada. Prepared by: Madeleine Lelievre, B. Sc., M. Ed., CCC January, 2009 Revised : July 2009

5 Notes on the Nova Scotia legislation Government bill presented by the Minister of Health Title Protection Act No person shall take or use the designation "Counselling Therapist", "Registered Counselling Therapist" or "RCT", or any derivation or abbreviation thereof... unless such person a) holds a licence with or without restrictions; (b) is a holder of a temporary licence with or without restrictions or conditions; or (c) is otherwise authorized to use such designation and to engage in the practice of counselling therapy as set out in this Act or the regulations. (Nova Scotia Counselling Therapists Act) Primary purpose of the act is protection of the public. Text of the Act includes: Definitions College Structure Registration and Licensing Professional Conduct Professional Incorporation General [Duty to report; fines; fees; quorum for meetings.] Regulations under the Act are determined by the College of Counselling Therapists, and are related closely to NSACT Bylaws. Scope of Practice will be included under the regulations. A definition for Counselling Therapy, developed by the B.C. Task Group on Counsellor Certification and supported by NSACT: The practice of Counselling Therapy assists people experiencing difficulties in relationships, or within themselves, and enhances their growth and well-being, by making use of relational, conversational, somatic, expressive, or educational methods and techniques informed by established counselling and psychotherapeutic theories, research, ethical standards, human diversity and the range of human traditions. (Second Supplementary, Proposal to the Department of Health for the Regulation of Counselling Therapists in Nova Scotia, September 2007.) Significance of the Agreement on Internal Trade: Ch. 7 - Labour Mobility The agreement comes into effect at the provincial level in August For a newly regulated profession, (i.e. Counselling Therapist), the 1 st license is the one to be assessed when the profession becomes regulated in other provinces. Provinces are required to consult with the 1 st licensed province when bringing in legislation for a previously unregulated profession. There has to be consistency with Scope of Practice, and Entry-to-Practice standards. (The actual title used is less important.) See: for additional information on legislation in Nova Scotia. Prepared by: Madeleine Lelievre, B. Sc., M. Ed., CCC January, 2009