VICTORIA, BC, July 3, 2024
/CNW/ - On July 02, 2024, the BC
Government designated Psychotherapy as a Health Profession under
the Health Professions Act. The proposal received cabinet approval
and was subsequently signed by the Lieutenant Governor. The
official order can be viewed here.
The BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC) would like to
congratulate the Government on this historic step towards the
regulation of the psychotherapy profession, increased public
protection, and better mental health access for the public.
The BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC), representing
over 7,200 members, has been a leading advocate for government
regulation of clinical counselling and psychotherapy in
British Columbia. The association
developed comprehensive regulatory frameworks and infrastructure to
facilitate a smooth transition to professional regulation, showing
the readiness of the BCACC and its members for this important step.
These efforts are expected to streamline the process for the
government and the future regulatory college, while easing the
transition for practitioners into a regulated environment.
BCACC CEO Michael Radano says "We
are very grateful that the recommendation to designate
psychotherapy as a health profession under the Health Professions
Act was brought to cabinet, and that the proposal has been
approved. The BCACC looks forward to working with the ministry, the
affected regulatory college and other stakeholders to ensure that
the profession specific regulatory building blocks are put in
place."
Looking at other provinces such as Ontario where psychotherapy is regulated, the
BCACC is prepared to assist with further collaborations with the
Government, the future college and practitioners to help define the
profession of psychotherapy here in BC.
With the demand for mental health services increasing, BC
residents need access to high-quality clinical
counselling/psychotherapy services in a timely fashion and be
covered under benefit plans and government programming. Regulation
of psychotherapy will expand access to clinicians and shorten wait
times for British Columbians.
BCACC: The BC Association of Clinical
Counsellors (BCACC) is a not-for-profit provincial professional
association founded in 1988 with more than 8000 members. BCACC
advocates for the clinical counselling/psychotherapy profession and
public access to mental health services. Its 7200 Registered
Clinical Counsellors (RCCs) are held to the highest standards of
practice and a strict code of ethics in service and protection of
the public which includes a robust complaint, inquiry, and
disciplinary process. https://bcacc.ca
SOURCE BC Association of Clinical Counsellors