Job requirements Special Needs Counsellor in Canada
Find out what you typically need to work as a special needs counsellor in Canada. These requirements are applicable to all Family, marriage and other related counsellors (NOC 41301).
Employment requirements
This is what you typically need for the job.
- A bachelor's or a 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.
- In Quebec, registration with a regulatory body is required for marriage and family therapists, psychoeducators and sexologists and criminologists.
Professional certification and licensing
You might need to get a certification from a regulatory authority before you start working. Find out if this occupation is regulated and contact the regulatory authority to learn about the certification process.
New Brunswick
Job title
Counselling Therapist
Regulated
Regulatory body:
College of Licensed Counselling Therapists of New Brunswick
Nova Scotia
Job title
Counselling Therapist
Regulated
Regulatory body:
Nova Scotia College of Counselling Therapists
Québec
Job title
Marriage And Family Therapist
Regulated
Job title
Sexologist
Regulated
Regulatory body:
Ordre professionnel des sexologues du Québec
Job title
Psychoeducator
Regulated
Regulatory body:
Ordre des psychoéducateurs et psychoéducatrices du Québec
Do you want to work in another province or territory?
If you are already certified to work in a regulated occupation in your province or territory, it will be easier for you to have your certification recognized in another province or territory. See the Workers Mobility's website to learn more.
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