Q: I am a Family Counsellor and I would like to know what are the benefits of me joining the National College of Counsellors?

A: The College is a Nationally registered regulatory body, which deals independently with client and counsellor complaints throughout Canada. Most Counselling/Psychotherapy Associations are reluctant to deal with client and counsellor complaints because of the time and costs involved. Complaints against Association members, which have traditionally been dealt with at the Association level, have been perceived as a "conflict of interest". The College is an "Independent" regulatory body supported by Canadian Counselling/Psychotherapy Associations and their members. The College is an "advocate" for its members and for those complainants that require advocacy.
Another huge benefit is that, it gives Health Care Companies including Insurance Companies, and other Corporations assurance that the College Member Counsellor/Psychotherapists are accountable to the ethical and regulatory guidelines set by the College.

Q: Is the college "Voluntary"?

A: Yes membership is voluntary. Counsellors are not forced to join; however College members proclaim a huge benefit in having a National College Wall Certificate located in their office.

Q: Are there other Provincial regulatory bodies in Canada?

A: With the exception of Quebec, there are no Provincial Colleges for Counsellors/Psychotherapists in Canada. Ontario is considering a College for Psychotherapists, however, that does not include Counsellors.

Q: Why a National College of Counsellors/Psychotherapists?

A: Although Health Care has been traditionally administered at the Provincial level, Provincial boundaries have created different standards and rules for Health Care providers. This includes counsellors, where these boundaries have not allowed the free flow of Counselling/Psychotherapy services to all Provinces fairly and equally.
The CCPCP was created to level the playing field and reduce confusion for clients and counsellors throughout Canada. By doing this, the CCPCP by its existence is compliant with the Canadian Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT) and The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Q: I have been rejected for funding by many Insurance companies and even some government departments because I do not have a particular education type. Why is this?

A: The National College of Professional Counsellors/Psychotherapists believes that all Counsellors/Psychotherapists should be examined and approved based on "core competencies" rather than approval based on a particular education type. "The College measures these competencies through examination and other mandatory requirements for membership listed on www.ccpcp.ca. Health Care Benefit Providers eventually should be open to change from the traditional beliefs of a particular education type and turn to the "competency model" for professional counsellor qualification throughout Canada. The old system (of a particular education type) has limited market share by limiting access to Professional Counselling services to the public seeking those services. The public wants more access to these services, and they will eventually obtain that as the National College membership grows and becomes more accepted by government and corporations alike.