The province said in a news release on March 1, 2024 that they are working with counsellors and the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP) to regulate and license counsellors. (Photo 103770337 © Tero Vesalainen | Dreamstime.com)

By Christian Oldale

Alberta moving forward with regulation of counsellors

Mar 1, 2024 | 2:42 PM

Alberta is working to improve access to mental health professionals.

The province said in a news release on March 1, 2024 that they are working with counsellors and the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP) to regulate and license counsellors.

Dan Williams, Minister of Mental Health and Addiction said, “Counsellors play an important part in our mental health care system and regulating them under the College of Alberta Psychologists will add consistent standards that will protect patients and improve care.”

With the new regulations, counsellors will be held to professional standards including education, safety standards and a code of ethics. CAP will oversee and provide regulation for the counsellors.

Dr. Richard Spelliscy, registrar and chief executive officer for the College of Alberta Psychologists. “The College of Alberta Psychologists looks forward to working with the Alberta counselling community, stakeholders, Indigenous and rural communities on the shared goal of developing registration and practice standards for counselling that will protect and serve the public interest.

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He added, “This initiative will maintain the integrity and quality of mental health care in Alberta.”

Alberta’s government will be putting forward legislative changes that, if passed, would amend the Mental Health Services Protection Act and the Health Professions Act to support these changes. They, along with CAP is also prioritizing engagement with Indigenous communities and leaders.

The province anticipates that the regulations will be put in place in 2025.