Association of Counselling Therapy of Alberta @ACTA_Alberta

Thank you to all who attended Part 1 of series on Ethics. Don’t forget to register for Part 2, ‘A Relational Ethics Primer’ with Dr. Simon Nuttgens, R. Psych, on May 9 12:00-1:00 pm. Professional Development is free for members & $75 for non-members. eventbrite.com/e/a-relational…

There is still space available. Register now. ‘Ethical Decision Making: When to, why to, and how to’ with Dr. Simon Nuttgens, R. Psych, on April 11, 2024 12:00-1:00pm. Professional Development is free for ACTA members & $75 for non-members. eventbrite.com/e/ethical-deci…

Register for one of our two town halls to hear updates on ACTA’s role moving forward with the Gov't’s new direction, reopening registration once we have completed the membership renewals & FAQ’s. April 10: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regist… April 12: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regist…

Register for Part 1 of our professional development session ‘Creating a pathway for better understanding Stoney Nakoda Tsuut’ina Health Competencies’ on June 20, 12:00-1:30pm. Professional Development is free for ACTA members & $75 for non-members. eventbrite.com/e/stoney-nakod…

Register for our professional development session on ‘Ethical Decision Making: When to, why to, and how to’ with Dr. Simon Nuttgens, R. Psych, on April 11, 2024 12:00-1:00pm. Professional Development is free for ACTA members & $75 for non-members. eventbrite.com/e/ethical-deci…

Check out our latest newsletter for more information on ‘ACTA’s Guiding Principles for Regulation with the Government’s New Direction’. You can also register for one of our two public townhalls on April 10 & 12 through the newsletter at mailchi.mp/acta-alberta/a….

Premiere Danielle Smith & Minister Williams reiterated the commitment of the Gov't to move forward with regulation at the AB Chamber of Commerce MLA dinner. They affirmed the importance of grandparenting the current workforce & seem motivated to proclaim Counselling Therapists.

The College of Alberta Psychologists shared with the @stalbertgazette it will regulate Counselling Therapists & may add Addiction Counsellors & Child & Youth Care Counsellors. There are unanswered questions & ACTA commits to find clarity & communicate. acta-alberta.ca/media

The Government of Alberta issued an announcement today that the College of Alberta Psychologists has been asked to assume responsibility for the regulation of Counselling Therapists in Alberta. Please read our recent newsletter for more information. mailchi.mp/acta-alberta/g…

The CCTA will increase access to mental health counselling through the federal First Nation & Inuit Health Branch & their NIHB program. It will ensure counselling therapists have acquired cultural competence & oversee continuing education. acta-alberta.ca/media

ACTA is the precursor organization to the College of Counselling Therapy of Alberta. ACTA has completed everything the gov't has asked it to do & the professionals have funded this work based on this government’s commitment to open the College. Open the CCTA for public interest!

The gov't has stated the main reason for not proclaiming the CCTA was First Nations concerns, mainly Treaty 6 concerns from 2021. With these concerns addressed & Treaties 6 & 8 calling the gov't to proclaim the CCTA, we hope they listen & act now. acta-alberta.ca/media

The support of @CT6FN_ & @Treaty8FNA is significant, as Indigenous concerns have consistently been identified by government as a barrier for proclamation of the CCTA. Many First Nations are in a State of Emergency - we cannot afford to delay. acta-alberta.ca/indigenous-rel…

If a counsellor in Alberta commits any level of misconduct against a client there is no regulatory body to restrict/revoke their license to practice. The gov't continues to stall the proclamation of the College of Counselling Therapy of Alberta even though it's for public safety.

The Alberta Government is stalling setting minimum standards for education and safety for mental health and addiction counsellors yet minimum standards are set in other jurisdictions. The College of Counselling Therapy of Alberta is essential to public safety.

Albertans deserve to know their counselling therapists are accountable to a governing body who can provide disciplinary actions should they be required. The legislation is in place and the work has been done. Proclaim the CCTA! Watch at acta-alberta.ca/media (CBC News Edmonton)

The risk is real. Professional colleges receive complaints from the public on issues of ethics & standards of practice. Albertans who receive services from counselling therapists, child & youth care counsellors, & addiction counsellors need to be protected as well.

Counselling Therapists have been advocating to the AB gov't since 2005 to reduce the risks of leaving counsellors unregulated. After 19 years, the gov't suggests more consultation is needed before proclaiming the CCTA which has legislation that was unanimously passed 5 years ago!

The risk is real. Anyone, without training, can call themselves a counselling therapist, child & youth care counsellor & addictions counsellor and work with vulnerable adults and children in Alberta. This is unsafe, proclaim the CCTA.

In honour of #BlackHistoryMonth we want to acknowledge the work of Alberta Black Therapists who are advancing holistic inclusive approaches to mental health & addiction services. We encourage our members to take the time to learn more about this month.