Specific Resources for Counselling Psychology

Dear Speed Mentoring Participants,

Thank you for attending first CaPS/QCA speed mentoring event for careers in psychology, counselling and social work we had April 7th, 2011.  I hope you enjoyed the evening and were able to learn more about the many different options in these areas post-graduation.

Due to the positive response, we are definitely looking at making this an annual event and would appreciate any feedback and suggestions you may have.

Below are the links to further information about CaPS services and about QCA.

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QCA website with information about CCPA and QCA, becoming a member, and links to past e-bulletins with articles and resources: http://www.ccpa-accp.ca/en/qcahome/

CaPS website: www.mcgill.ca/caps myFuture: https://csm-caps.mcgill.ca/students
*remember that you have access to CaPS services for free for a year after you graduate, and as a McGill alumnus you have access to myFuture for life.

CaPS Guide to Finding Job Opportunities through Networking
http://www.mcgill.ca/files/caps/Networking_Guide.pdf
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Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have questions about any of the above, or any feedback about the Speed Mentoring event.

All the best,
Jan Bottomer, M.A. Counselling Psychology, Career Advisor

In the age of email, internet, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook communication, networking in the working world is happening faster and faster. Whether one is ready to jump on the train of this ever increasing pace of career development and movement or not, it is happening. My question is: how exactly is one to keep up?

As a recent graduate of the M.A. Counselling Psychology Program at McGill University, preparing to enter the working world myself, I often feel like I keep jumping for this train but never quite get in. Sometimes the jump feels good: I catch hold of a cart, manage to get half in the door, but just as I am about to hurl myself in, a railroad crossing sign slams against my legs. The impact is painful, frustrating, and sends me flying to the ground. The train sails off and as I watch it fade into the distance I let out a sigh, dust myself off, and prepare to wait until the next one comes along. However no matter how painful the fall, I always keep an eye on the train schedule to see when another train of opportunity is due to come by.  I am sure I am not alone in this process and know that some of my peers feel the same.

Luckily for me on Thursday April 7th the Quebec Counselling Association (QCA) and the McGill Career Planning Service (CaPS) sent an amazing train filled with Social Workers, Counsellors, and Psychologists right to Thomson House for the first ever ‘Speed Mentoring Night.’  Working professionals from all over the Montreal region came to share their wisdom, experience and insight with young students aspiring to ride a similar train. Needless to say for this train I made sure to get my ticket in advance, jumped onboard, and road along with some amazing passengers for the two-hour journey.

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What You Need to Know About Bill 21

If you are planning on staying in Quebec, Bill 21 will certainly be on your radar. The Canadian Conselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA) has prepared the following information for you.

There are seven regulatory colleges in Quebec that relate to the practice of counselling and psychotherapy:

• Ordre des conseillers et conseillères d’orientation du Québec
• Ordre des psychoéducateurs et psychoéducatrices du Québec
• Ordre des travailleurs sociaux et des théraeutes conjugaux et familiaux du Québec
• Ordre des infirmières et infirmiers du Québec
• Ordre des ergothérapeutes du Québec
• Ordre des psychologues du Québec
• Collège des médecin du Québec

Psychotherapy becomes regulated as a reserved title (psychotherapist) and reserved activity (psychotherapy) once Bill 21 is enforced in Québec.

If you belong to one of the above regulatory colleges and you wish to practice psychotherapy you must have a Master’s level credential and apply for a permit to practice psychotherapy from the Ordre des psychologues du Québec, whether or not you use or intend to use the title ‘psychotherapist’ or whether or not you call or intend to call your practice ‘psychotherapy’. The definition of psychotherapy as outlined in Bill 21 is listed below. If the activity you practice corresponds to the legal definition of psychotherapy in the Bill, it is controlled by this regulation.

Individuals who are psychologists and physicians may practice psychotherapy but do not require a permit to do so (see http://www.ordrepsy.qc.ca/en/public/projet-de-loi-21/index.sn).

Individuals who are not currently members of a professional order may be eligible to obtain a permit through a grandparenting process, but this eligibility will be subject to strict criteria for a limited time. If individuals do not meet the eligibility requirements, they will not be able to obtain a permit. (CanLII – Professional Code, R.S.Q. C-26, Chapter VI.1, 187.3.1; http://www.ordrepsy.qc.ca/en/public/la-psychotherapie/who-may-practice-psychotherapy.sn)

The Role of CCPA in a Regulated Environment

When CCPA members work in a regulated environment, they must adhere to provincial regulations. CCPA is a national entity that offers its members many services such as the ‘CCC’ designation that is recognized nationally, liability insurance, professional learning opportunities, and much more. CCPA is a national, self-regulating body. It does not provide provincial certification nor does the ‘CCC’ designation fulfill the requirement of belonging to a provincial statutory regulatory body. According to the Canadian Constitution, no national organization can offer or claim to offer provincial credentials. Provincial certification is available ONLY through provincial regulatory college(s). Many of CCPA’s members hold provincial certificates and provincial licenses in addition to the national ‘CCC’ designation. For some members, the ‘CCC’ provides increased mobility across unregulated provinces and territories; for others it is a conscious decision to be recognized as part of a national network of professionally trained counsellors and psychotherapists.

The role of CCPA in a regulated environment is:

• To recognize and honour the work of provinces in the area of counselling and psychotherapy;
• To seek areas of alignment and philosophical agreement in diverse areas of Canada that support a single foundation for the profession of counselling and psychotherapy;
• To provide national frameworks that support provincial and territorial initiatives related to counselling andp sychotherapy;
• To support the regulation of the profession across Canada, and
• To support actions that increase the protection of the public from potential harm by practitioners without appropriate or adequate training, knowledge, or skill.

More about Bill 21 and Counselling vs Psychotherapy
Bill 21 is currently pending. It is not yet in force in Québec. There are strongly overlapping scopes of practice in psychotherapy and counselling. CCPA members in Québec are strongly advised to be alert for the enforcement of Bill 21, particularly the regulated “list of actions which relate to psychotherapy” to ensure they are practicing legally in the province.

Bill 21 uses the following definition for psychotherapy:
“Psychotherapy is a psychological treatment for a mental disorder, behavioural disturbance or other problem resulting in psychological suffering or distress, and has as its purpose to foster significant changes in the client’s cognitive, emotional or behavioural functioning, his interpersonal relations, his personality or his health. Such treatment goes beyond help aimed at dealing with everyday difficulties and beyond a support or counselling role.” (CanLII – Professional Code, R.S.Q. C-26, Chapter VI.1, 187.1)

This section of Bill 21 continues with:
“The Office shall establish by regulation a list of actions which relate to psychotherapy but do not constitute psychotherapy within the meaning of the second paragraph, and shall define those actions.” (Ibid)

The nationally validated definition of counselling is:
“Counselling is a relational process based upon the ethical use of specific professional competencies to facilitate human change. Counselling addresses wellness, relationships, personal growth, career development, mental health, and psychological illness or distress. The counselling process is characterized by the application of recognized cognitive, affective, expressive, somatic, spiritual, developmental, behavioural, learning, and systemic principles.” (PWG, 2011)

Below is the nationally validated scope of practice for the counselling profession:

• Is attentive to and responds to diversity and inclusiveness;
• Works in the best interest of individuals, couples, families, groups, organizations, communities, and the public-at-large;
• Works in the domains of cognition, emotion, expression, somatics, human development, behaviour, learning, and    interactive systems;
• Promotes mental health by developing and enhancing:
• Personal, relational, sexual, career, and spiritual growth and well-being,
• Personal awareness and resources,
• Decision-making and problem solving;
• Remediates or provides treatment for disorders in cognitive, behavioural, interpersonal, and emotional functioning;
• Applies specific and recognized evaluation and assessment methods;
• May also include supervision, education, training, consultation, research, diagnosis, and referral.

Questions?
Contact any Ordre mandated to enforce Bill 21: OCCOQ, or l’Ordre des psychologues du Québec, or
the Office des professions du Québec, or
Contact: info@ordrepsy.qc.ca, or
Contact: bmaccallum@ccpa-accp.ca

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