Making the Case for Counsellor Education Accreditation in Canada: A Cross-Jurisdictional Review of Emerging Trends in the Pre-Service Training of Counsellors and Related Mental Health Professionals

Authors

  • William Borgen University of British Columbia
  • Sharon Robertson University of Calgary
  • Natasha Caverley Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association
  • Pamela Patterson Adler University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47634/cjcp.v55i1.70427

Abstract

The Council for Accreditation of Counsellor Education Programs recognizes quality assurance of master’s-level counselling programs in Canada. Accreditation is important to the pre-service training of counsellors and psychotherapists who are preparing to enter into practice after graduation. This article identifies trends in counsellor education accreditation from a national perspective—ranging from changes in the regulatory landscape in Canada to the integration of social justice and diversity practices into programs of study while fostering innovative program design in times of fiscal restraint within Canadian post-secondary institutions. From an international perspective, this article highlights trends for counsellor education accreditation programs in the United States, Britain, and Australia. Overall, it is important to inform counsellor educators and personnel running counselling programs in Canada on counsellor education program development, with the goal of supporting quality standards for accrediting counselling programs in Canada while acknowledging professional mental health service regulations and public policy.

Author Biographies

William Borgen, University of British Columbia

William Borgen is a professor in the counselling psychology area of the Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology, and Special Education at the University of British Columbia. His main areas of interest are career/life transitions and quality assurance in counsellor education. Bill is co-chair of the Council for Accreditation of Counsellor Education Programs (CACEP).

Sharon Robertson, University of Calgary

Sharon Robertson is a professor of counselling psychology in the Werklund School of Education at the University of Calgary. Her main interests are in counsellor education and supervision, psychosocial/life transitions, grief and loss, social support, and counselling girls and women. Sharon is co-chair of CACEP.

Natasha Caverley, Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association

Natasha Caverley is a president emerita of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. Her main interests are in organizational behaviour, career counselling and development, and multicultural counselling. Natasha is a member of the CACEP rejuvenation initiative.

Pamela Patterson, Adler University

Pamela Patterson is a professor in the master’s of counselling psychology programs at Adler University in Vancouver. Her main areas of interest are in counsellor training and interpersonal therapy. She has a private counselling practice in Vancouver. Pamela is the anglophone representative of CACEP.

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Published

2021-01-14

How to Cite

Borgen, W., Robertson, S., Caverley, N., & Patterson, P. (2021). Making the Case for Counsellor Education Accreditation in Canada: A Cross-Jurisdictional Review of Emerging Trends in the Pre-Service Training of Counsellors and Related Mental Health Professionals. Canadian Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy, 55(1), 74–95. https://doi.org/10.47634/cjcp.v55i1.70427

Issue

Section

Special Issue Articles/ Articles d'édition spéciale