Counselling Therapists Act Introduced

Nova Scotians who access the services of a counselling therapists who use certain professional titles can now be assured that those therapists have the necessary training and qualifications to practice.

The Counselling Therapists Act, introduced today, Nov. 3, requires specific training for therapists governed by the act.

Only registered and licensed individuals will be legally able to use the professional titles listed in the act, which are registered counselling therapist and counselling therapist. They provide counselling on a wide variety of personal problems.

"This legislation will protect the public interest," said Health Minister Chris d'Entremont. "Nova Scotians will know that people who call themselves a registered counselling therapist, counselling therapist, registered counselling therapist candidate, or RCT use these titles have the qualifications and training to provide those services."

Under the act, the Nova Scotia Association of Counselling Therapists will become the Nova Scotia College of Counselling Therapists. The new college will establish a registration process, standards and a complaints and discipline process for practitioners.

Mr. d'Entremont also introduced two other pieces of legislation. An amendment to the Hospitals Act will give registered midwives hospital privileges. The Lands Necessary for the Expansion of the Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre Act will enable Halifax Regional Municipality to transfer the Queen Elizabeth High School property to the province for the expansion of the Queen Elizabeth II Health Science Centre's emergency department.