Job Description of Counsellor/Therapist
Counselling/psychotherapy is a relational process that applies recognized cognitive, behavioural, expressive, learning, affective, spiritual, somatic, and systemic principles to facilitate human change. Counselling/psychotherapy addresses mental health, psychological illness or distress, wellness, personal growth, relationships, and career development. Counsellors/therapists do not diagnose or prescribe medication.
According to the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association, there is no intrinsic difference between counselling and psychotherapy. If there are differences, it relates more to the individual training and interests of the psychotherapist and counsellor, and the setting in which they work. For example, a psychotherapist working in a hospital likely deals with severe psychological disorders rather than the wider range of problems about which is it best to consult a counsellor. However, in private practice, a psychotherapist is more likely to see clients with less severe need. Similarly, in private practice, the work of a counsellor and psychotherapist will overlap. However, counsellors who work in educational settings for example usually focus on the difficulties of life and day-to-day issues than on more severe psychological disorders.
WHAT WOULD I DO?
- Interview clients and prepare histories of their case
- Identify issues that contribute to a client’s challenges with mental health such as relationships, stressful work, and addictions
- Assist clients to express their feelings and thoughts productively
- Assist clients to develop better coping skills
- Create and implement counselling and intervention programs for clients to help them determine their objective and means of reaching that goal
- Evaluate the effectiveness of counselling and intervention programs, and clients’ progress in reaching defined objectives
- Consult with other mental health care professionals or providers
- Record and maintain detailed confidential notes of clients
AM I SUITED FOR THIS JOB?
Some skills required for a competent certified counsellor to perform their duties and responsibilities include:
- Excellent communication skills in listening, speaking, and writing
- Creative problem-solving skills
- Confidentiality
- Emotional maturity and stability
- Sensitivity and compassion
THE ENVIRONMENT/TYPICAL DAY
A typical day for a counsellor/therapist starts in the morning, working on administrative activities. This can include checking emails, reviewing an agenda for the day, and entering session notes taken for appointments the day before into a secure electronic health record. During this time, some therapists/counsellors may also listen or read on mental health and therapy topics to stay up to date on current research and improve their services. Due to the wide variety of clients that counsellors/therapists often serve, ensuring they maintain continuing education on topics such as cultural competency and professional ethics is crucial to their work.
Immediately before morning client sessions, a therapist/counsellor will review their session notes to prepare for clients, and to refresh their memory on what was previously discussed to guide the session. They will usually have a break and then attend to more clients in an afternoon or evening session.
Their work day, although not every day, may also consist of consulting with other therapists/counsellors in small group settings to discuss challenges, and receive feedback on useful interventions while guarding confidentiality. If the therapist/counsellor runs their own private practice, at least one day of the week will be dedicated to business management which involves paying bills, replying to emails, ensuring the website works well, and keeping a strong presence in the community to bring in more clients.
Due to the nature of their work of providing counselling services, most therapists or counsellors spend the day indoors in an office environment.
Therapists or counsellors usually work between 35 to 40 hours per week. However, this schedule can vary depending on the workplace, and based on the availability of clients, it can include working days, evenings, and weekends.
WHAT ARE THE WAGES AND BENEFITS?
Across Canada, according to Job Bank, the average wage per hour for psychotherapists/counsellors is $31.00. At the low end, it is $20.00/hour while the high rate is $48.00/hour.
WHAT IS THE JOB OUTLOOK IN CANADA?
According to Job Bank, from the period of 2022 to 2031, there are 22,900 new job seekers expected to be available for employment and 24,100 new job openings. Evidently, the job outlooks is great and there is actually a demand.
That being said, there are some regional differences.
Over the next three years, British Columbia and Newfoundland and Labrador only have moderate job prospects. However, there are good prospects in Alberta, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Saskatchewan. And there are “very good” prospects in the Yukon, Ontario, and Quebec.
HOW DO I BECOME A COUNSELLOR/THERAPIST?
You must first obtain a four-year bachelor’s degree in psychology or other related disciplines. Be sure to check that the program you choose meets the educational requirements of the regulatory body in your province.
Depending on the regulatory body in your provinces, many require a master’s degree or doctorate in your chosen specialization as a prerequisite for licensure.
To become a registered mental health professional in your province, you must complete the relevant education, fulfill requirements of clinical experience, and in some cases, pass the licensure examination.
Each region has different licensure requirements:
- In Ontario, to become a practising therapist/counsellor, you must:
- Complete a master’s degree in psychotherapy or a related field
- Engage in supervised clinical practice
- Pass the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario examination
- In British Columbia, to become a practising therapist/counsellor, you must:
- Complete a master’s degree in counselling or a related field
- Complete 100 hours of supervised clinical practice
- Pass the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors examination
- In Nova Scotia, to become a practising therapist/counsellor, you must:
- Complete a master’s degree in counselling or a related field
- Engage in supervised clinical practice
- Pass the Nova Scotia College of Counselling Therapists examination
- In New Brunswick, to become a practising therapist/counsellor, you must:
- Complete a master’s degree in counselling or a related field
- Engage in supervised clinical practice
- Pass the College of Licensed Counselling Therapists of New Brunswick exam
- In Quebec, to become a practicing therapist/counsellor, you must:
- Be a member of:
- Ordre des conseillers et conseillères d’orientation du Québec
- Ordre professionnel des criminologues du Québec
- Ordre des ergothérapeutes du Québec
- Ordre des infirmières et des infirmiers du Québec
- Ordre des psychoéducateurs et des psychoéducatrices du Québec
- Ordre professionnel des sexologues du Québec
- Ordre des travailleurs sociaux et des thérapeutes conjugaux et familiaux du Québec
- Complete a master’s degree in mental health or human relations
- Complete 765 hours of theoretical university-level training as part of university studies or as part of psychotherapy training from an independent trainer or in a private establishment
- Complete 600 hours of psychotherapy training
- Saskatchewan and Manitoba are unregulated and Alberta is currently undergoing changes for regulation of graduate-trained counselling therapists in Alberta under the College of Alberta Psychologists.
WHERE WOULD I WORK?
Therapists or counsellors work in health care and rehabilitation facilities, counselling centres, group homes, government agencies, social service agencies, family therapy centres, or they may work in private practice.
HOW DO I FIND A JOB?
To find a job as a therapist/counsellor, you can search through online job boards such as: Indeed, Linkedln, Jooble CA, Workopolis, and Glassdoor.
APPLYING FOR A JOB
To put your best foot forward in the job search, make sure to carefully review and clean up your resume and/or cover letter, ensuring that it is tailored to what the prospective employer is seeking.
Many private practice positions are not advertised but rather employers recruit candidates within their professional network. That is why it is crucial to begin building your professional network from when you begin your educational journey by attending lectures, conferences, and seminars.
Each practice or clinic will have a unique hiring process which could be as short as one interview or multiple interviews with various team members. Research the clinic or practice to identify and understand their mission and work culture. They will want to know that you have done your research on them as well.
WHERE CAN THIS JOB LEAD?
The title of counsellor or psychotherapist is unlikely to change with more years of experience. Instead, to advance in their career, many expand their areas of specialization and enhance their therapeutic techniques. Some counsellors or therapists opt to open their own practice, after working for an employer years down the line in their career.
There are alternative options for those wishing to pivot away from a career as a therapist or counsellor including management at an agency or community centre, mental health advocacy or workplace training, consultant for larger organizations, teaching, academic/career advising in a university or college setting, and human resources.
