Registered Counselling Therapist Option

Jul 19, 2016

We encourage you to check out all of your options by visiting the Nova Scotia College of Counselling Therapists website, www.nscct.ca, for more information and to search the Find A Counselling Therapist site for a counselling therapist in your area.

The statistics tell the story: one in five people struggle with a mental health issue. Many others struggle with issues rooted in their emotional wellbeing, including life transitions, relationships challenges, family conflict, workplace stress, or grief. Wait times for mental health services can be a challenging and in time of crises access to these services can be essential.

Working with a Registered Counselling Therapist can be a viable option. Counselling therapists are allied health care providers, working in mental health clinics, community and government agencies, the public school system, community colleges, universities, correctional facilities, healthcare facilities, industry and private practice.

Counselling therapists are professionally and legally accountable to Nova Scotians: we adhere to the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice and we participate in on-going education and professional development. Our profession is also provincially regulated. Established in 2011 by the Department of Health and Wellness and the Counselling Therapists Act, the Nova Scotia College of Counselling Therapists oversees annual licensing and professional conduct.

Our province’s network of mental health care providers is becoming more expansive and diverse, and that’s good news! When it comes to counselling, seeking the expertise and guidance of a Registered Counselling Therapist can help Nova Scotians connect with the support and resources they need.

Providing Accessible, Current and Accountable Mental Health Care

Counselling therapists work with individuals, couples and families of all ages, backgrounds, cultures and world views to address mental health problems, emotional concerns or life transitions. Our graduate-level education and ongoing professional development focuses on the art and science of building and enriching the therapeutic relationship. We use evidence-based counselling models to collaboratively and holistically promote clients’ wellbeing. We’re also accountable to Nova Scotians through the Nova Scotia College of Counselling Therapists, a regulatory body established under the Counselling Therapists Act.

On the practical side, we understand that engaging in counselling is a decision-making process. An increasing number of Nova Scotians’ workplace health insurance policies are able to cover sessions with a counselling therapist in private practice.The Canada Revenue Agencyalso recognizes counselling therapists as health service providers, which allows counselling fees to be claimed as a medical expense on Income Tax Returns.  Some counselling therapists offer financially accessible fees and most offer a variety of times and days for counselling sessions.

It’s a good idea to keep the right ‘personal fit’ in mind when deciding to engage in counselling. It’s often a matter of finding a compatible style, approach and availability.