Occupational Profiles

This group performs some or all of the following duties:
 

• Interview clients, prepare case histories and assess problems
• Develop and implement counselling and intervention programs to assist clients in determining goals and means of attaining them
• Counsel clients, provide therapy and mediation services, and facilitate group sessions
• Liaise with community agencies or partners, and identify additional or alternative services and provide referrals
• Evaluate the effectiveness of counselling programs and interventions, and clients' progress in resolving identified problems and movement toward defined objectives
• Follow up on results of counselling programs and clients' adjustments
• Prepare assessment, progress, follow-up and court reports
• May supervise other counsellors, social service staff and assistants
• May provide public education and consultation to other professionals or groups regarding counselling services, issues and methods
• May provide witness testimony in court proceedings
• May conduct research, publish research papers, educational texts and articles and deliver presentations at conferences
• May collaborate with employee assistance programs or with government organizations in health and safety or with victims of crime
• May participate in fundraising activities.

• A bachelor's or master's degree in the field of counselling, therapy, mental health, psychology or a related social service discipline is required and a period of supervised clinical work with clients may be required.
• A master's degree in the field of therapy is required for art therapist, music therapist, and dance therapists.
• Membership with a provincial or federal association is usually required by employers.
• Registration with a regulatory body is required in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick for counselling therapists.
• To practise psychotherapy, a permit is required in Quebec and registration with the appropriate regulatory body is required in Ontario.