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WHAT IS COUNSELING?

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How counseling differs from clinical psychology

  • Professional counseling psychologists tend to ascribe to humanistic and person-centered theoretical orientations

  • Psychologist-counselors tend to work with healthier patients who have less severe mental illness or psychological problems

  • Their work focuses more on emotional, social and physical issues that arise from typical life stresses or more serious issues associated with school, work, or the family settings

  • Such individuals are often employed at universities and university counseling centers, as well as in human service settings, such as mental health centers and family services

  • Some topics that are common for counseling psychologists to see:

    • Relationship issues

    • Substance abuse counseling

    • Career counseling

    • Difficulty adapting to life changes

What degrees/licenses would you need?

  • Educational requirements alone take a minimum of six years to complete

  • For a doctorate, you can spend up to eight years in academic training before achieving your certification

  • Steps to take:

    • (1) Bachelor's degree from an accredited university (~4 years)

    • (2) Masters degree in counseling (+2 years of post-secondary education)

      • Graduate-level coursework includes:

        • theories of counseling

        • communication skills

        • counseling techniques

        • professional ethics

        • electives in four areas, including human development, lifestyle and career development, learning, psychological education, research, diversity, gender issues, and individual, couples, family, or group counseling

        • supervised counseling practicum totaling 150 to 800 hours depending on education and experience​

    • (3) Apply to become a professional member of the Canadian Counseling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA)

      • Gives access to professional training, networking events, current clinical studies, and peer research

    • (4) Apply for certification of the CCPA

      • After completing the academic requirements and becoming a member of the Canadian Counseling and Psychotherapy Association

    • (5) Maintain your certification of the CCPA

      • Canadian Counseling and Psychotherapy Association requires you to keep your membership current and in good standing to maintain your ongoing certification

Types of counseling you can provide

  • Substance Abuse Counseling

  • Marriage and Family Counseling

  • Mental Health Counseling

  • Educational & Guidance Counseling

  • Rehabilitation Counseling

Master's in Counseling - requirements for an application

  • Varies from program to program

  • Typical requirements:

    • Usually accepts undergraduate degrees in psychology, education, or equivalent

    • Sometimes require an honours bachelor's degree 

    • Full course load in undergraduate degree

    • Minimum overall undergraduate average of 70%+ (B or higher)

    • Must have earned the equivalent of a B+ average over the last two years

    • Graduate Record Examinations (GRE)

      • ** required scores may vary from different programs/schools **

      • Some schools do not require the GRE anymore 

    • Proof of English Language proficiency

      • International English Language Test System (IELTS)

      • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

      • ** scores may vary from different programs/schools **

    • A significant number of counselling/clinical experience related hours 

      • Some programs are mixed between counselling and clinical, so the experience necessary is dependent on type of program

    • Personal statements/Letter of intent

    • Reference letters (2+)

    • Transcript

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