Registered Counselling Therapists (or Counselling Therapists) are mental health professionals who have a university degree in mental health of a closely-related field (e.g., counselling psychology, clinical psychology, mental health counselling). Counselling Therapists meet high educational standards and are held accountable to a code of ethics, standards of practice, and professional regulations. In Nova Scotia, Counselling Therapists are regulated by the Nova Scotia College of Counselling Therapists. The professional title of 'Counselling Therapist' or 'Registered Counselling Therapist' is protected by law (Counselling Therapists Act) and only able to be used by professionals who are recognized and registered with the college.
Counsellors or Therapists are mental health professionals who have a diploma or college or university degree in a mental health-related field such as psychology or professional counselling. Counsellors mostly work in private practice either independently or with other counsellors. Counsellors or therapists may be regulated by a professional body, such as a college or association. The Canadian Professional Counsellors Association regulates Registered Professional Counsellors and Master Practitioners of Clinical Counselling.
It is important to know that the title 'counsellor' and 'therapist' is not protected in most areas and can be used by anyone, even those without training. Be sure your counsellor is registered with a professional association or regulatory college to ensure they have professional oversight.
Counsellors and therapists cannot give a diagnosis.
Psychologists are mental health professionals who have a masters degree (M.A., M.Sc., M.Ed.) or a doctorate degree (Ph.D., PsyD., DClinPsy, Ed.D.) in clinical psychology or counselling psychology, or (less commonly) neuropsychology. Psychologists are trained in therapy, psychological theories, and research. Psychologists provide therapy and assessments and can diagnose disorder. They can work in hospitals, in private practices, university counselling centers, or teach at universities, colleges, and hospitals. Psychologists are regulated by the provincial board or college of psychologists where they practice. In Nova Scotia, psychologists are regulated by the Nova Scotia Board of Examiners in Psychology.
Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in mental and behavioral health. Psychiatrists can prescribe medications, do therapy, and diagnose mental disorders. In Nova Scotia, only a psychiatrist can involuntarily admit someone to the hospital (commonly thought of as 'being committed' or 'being admitted'). In Nova Scotia, psychiatrists are regulated by the Nova Scotia College of Physicians and Surgeons.
Psychotherapists are regulated in Ontario and Quebec, but not in other provinces. However, some provinces have restrictions on the use of the title 'Psychotherapist' by practitioners who are not registered in Ontario or Quebec.
No. Psychological assessments and diagnosis are protected healthcare services in Nova Scotia and can only be completed by a licensed medical doctor (e.g., family doctor, neurologist, psychiatrist) or psychologist.
To see a specialist doctor such as a psychiatrist, a referral from a family doctor or nurse practitioner is required.
To see a psychologist, you can self-refer. You can see a listing of all registered psychologists in Nova Scotia in the NSBEP website and the APNS website.
Yes, mostly. Anything we talk about is confidentiality and private, with exceptions as outlined by ethical and legal regulations. Exceptions to confidentiality include:
Your counsellor believes you are at immediate risk of hurt yourself or someone else,
Your counsellor has reasonable suspicion of abuse or neglect of of a child or vulnerable person (e.g., child, elderly, or adult with cognitive impairments),
Your counsellor or their records are subpoenaed by the courts or a warrant is produced,
The regulatory body audits your counsellor's files as a need to protect the public,
Your counsellor's clinical supervisor deems there is a need to protect the public, or
An agency or organization requires information during treatment (e.g., an employment agency or EAP program may request progress reports, for example).
For clarity, here are some situations where confidentiality would be upheld (i.e., your information would NOT be shared).
A partner calls your counsellor and wants an update on your progress.
Partners may be concerned about their loved ones' treatment, however without the client's written permission the counsellor cannot disclose any information or confirm or deny a therapeutic relationship.
A family member calls your counsellor and wants to check in on your progress.
Family may be concerned about their loved ones' well-being, however without the client's written permission the counsellor cannot disclose any information or confirm or deny a therapeutic relationship.
A parent calls your counsellor and wants to know if their child/teen is using drugs.
Nova Scotia has the mature minor doctrine, and therapists determine if a child or adolescent understands the nature of counselling (including informed consent). Mature minors have the same rights to privacy and confidentiality as adults, and provided they are competent to consent to treatment/participation in counselling, the therapist cannot disclose anything without their consent.
A partner calls your counsellor and the partner wants to know if the client is cheating on them and explains they are considering divorce if they are.
The counsellor cannot disclose any information without the client's written consent.
Counselling is not covered by the provincial health insurance in Nova Scotia (MSI), so clients must pay out of pocket.
Counselling is usually covered by third party healthcare insurance, such as Blue Cross or Green Shield. Check with your health insurance provider to determine if they cover services provided by Registered Counselling Therapists or Registered Professional Counsellors (clinical counsellors). All receipts have a provider number that can help with provider verification. We do not do direct billing.
Questionnaires are a great tool therapists use to help understand and categorize the symptoms that you are facing. Remember, counselling is about you and your therapist facing the problem - not just you. Your therapist may use questionnaires to understand symptoms, check the extent to which the symptoms effect you, and rule out some symptoms. In other words, you therapist can use questionnaires to help them understand how bad your symptoms are at times.
You are the expert on you, and therapists use a common language to understand how you feel sometimes, just to make sure they are on the same page. If you have any questions about questionnaires your therapist is using, do not hesitate to ask about them!
No, questionnaires are not used for diagnosis.
Children or minors under 18 years old can attend therapy with a parent or guardian's consent, or without a parent or guardian's consent in some circumstances. In Nova Scotia, healthcare follows the mature minor doctrine, meaning if a healthcare provider (i.e., a counsellor) deems the minor understands the nature of counselling, implications for taking part in counselling, and understands informed consent, they can attend therapy without parental or guardian's consent or knowledge. The "right to know" changes as the minor grows and and their capacity to provide informed consent increases.
When a mature minor attends counselling, their information is held to the same standard as an adult; there are limits of confidentiality, the counsellor cannot confirm or deny the existence of a therapeutic relationship with a client, and they cannot reveal the nature of counselling to the minor's parent and/or guardian.
This can sometimes be upsetting for parents or guardians who are worried about the minor's health, and this is understandable. Please know their counsellor has the same obligations to report the limits of confidentiality and is held to the same standard of care for mature minors as they are for adults.
There is no hard and fast rule about the number of sessions you will need. While one of the goals of therapy is to not be in therapy forever, everyone experiences changes and healing at a different pace - this is completely normal and expected.
Rory works on the rule of thumb that you should see some change within the first 7 sessions. If you do not see changes by the 7th session, it is time to reevaluate the therapeutic process and goals and see what we can change to make sure you are getting the most out of counselling.
If you feel you are not getting what you want out of counselling, discuss this with your counsellor. Sometimes something as simple a restating therapeutic goals can get therapy back on track. If you are still not satisfied, discuss terminating counselling and referral to another practitioner.
As you prepare for your first appointment you may feel anxious about seeing a counsellor. This is normal and expected.
The first appointment is typically information-gathering. Your counsellor will ask you to complete an informed consent and intake form, and then ask you questions about what brought you to counselling, what your goals are for counselling, and what you would like to be different. The first appointment tends to be a bit 'scattered' as your counsellor asks about different areas of your life and it can feel like they are jumping between topics quickly; this helps your counsellor gather as much information as possible in the initial appointment.
The second appointment is wrapping up the intake from the first appointment, filling any gaps in the information you provided, and starting the counselling process.
You can bring someone with you to your appointments, however confidentiality cannot be guaranteed if you bring someone. While your counsellor can guarantee confidentiality of their records, your counsellor cannot guarantee or be held responsible for how another person will handle the information you disclose in the appointment.
Rory handles his own schedule and intake process, so just him! Your counsellor does not report your attendance in counselling unless required (e.g., EAP provider).
Rory is a Registered Counselling Therapist (RCT) registered with the Nova Scotia College of Counselling Therapists (NSCCT). NSCCT oversees the counselling therapy field in the province and regulates Counselling Therapists. Rory is also a Registered Professional Counselling (RPC) with the Canadian Professional Counsellors Association (CPCA).
Yes! Therapy has repeatedly been shown to have positive results, for a wide variety of mental health difficulties. The most important aspect of therapy is the provider; having a good working relationship (called the therapeutic alliance) with your therapist is one of (if not the) best indicator of therapeutic progress.
Rory works with a variety of therapy approaches; this is to make sure that you are getting the best results possible from your therapeutic journey. During the first appointment, you and your counsellor will work together to identify your unique needs from counselling and work on a plan that will work best for you. You and your counsellor will develop strategies and approaches that work best for you, and may draw on multiple therapy approaches.
Notes are only written for attending counselling appointments and are indicated as "(Client) attended a personal appointment today."
Paperwork for disability purposes or a leave of absence from work must be completed by a family doctor.