In Quebec, counselling is not a protected term, meaning that it is not strictly tied to one profession. It is an umbrella term that includes all professionals working in a helping capacity, as opposed to psychotherapy which can only be practiced by psychotherapists or psychologists, practicing under the Order of Psychologists of Quebec. Counsellors will often have a certification from a counselling association, like the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. 

 

For more information on counselling and the difference between that and psychotherapy, please visit the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association.

A counsellor uses the relationship that is built between themselves and the client with an overall aim of “providing an opportunity for people to work towards living more satisfyingly and resourcefully”. In sessions, the counsellor may work with the client on the following concerns:

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• Developmental issues

• Addressing and resolving specific problems

• Making decisions

• Coping with crisis

• Developing personal insights and knowledge

• Working through feelings of inner conflict