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Family, marriage and other related counsellors (NOC 4153)

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Changes have been made to the method for estimating job prospects per occupation. To better reflect the reality of the job market and the new method of estimation, the prospect diagnostics have been modified. Thus, the possible diagnostics are now excellent, good, limited and not published. For more information about the meaning of each diagnostic, see the glossary.

Nature of work

Family, marriage and other related counsellors assist individuals and groups of clients to identify, understand and overcome personal problems and achieve personal objectives. They are employed by counselling centres, social service agencies, group homes, government agencies, family therapy centres, and health care and rehabilitation facilities, or they may work in private practice.

Main duties

  • Family, marriage and other related counsellors perform some or all of the following duties:
  • - Interview clients, prepare case histories and assess problems
  • - Conduct vocational testing and psychometric assessment
  • - Develop and implement counselling and intervention programs to assist clients in determining goals and means of attaining them
    • - Continued…
  • - Counsel clients, provide therapy and mediation services, and facilitate group sessions
  • - Liaise with community agencies or partners, and identify additional or alternative services and provide referrals
  • - Evaluate the effectiveness of counselling programs and interventions, and clients' progress in resolving identified problems and movement toward defined objectives
  • - Follow up on results of counselling programs and clients' adjustments
  • - Prepare assessment, progress, follow-up and court reports
  • - May supervise other counsellors, social service staff and assistants
  • - May provide public education and consultation to other professionals or groups regarding counselling services, issues and methods
  • - May provide witness testimony in court proceedings
  • - May conduct research, publish research papers, educational texts and articles and deliver presentations at conferences.
  • - May participate in fundraising activities.
  • * Family, marriage and other related counsellors often specialize in dealing with a specific client group such as injured workers, or with specific problems, such as drug and alcohol addiction, marital difficulties or behavioural disorders.

Employment requirements

  • * A master's degree in the field of counselling, mental health or a related social service discipline is usually required.
  • * In Quebec, a master's degree in psychoeducation is required to practise as a psycho-educator.
  • * An undergraduate degree or college diploma in a social science is required for certain areas of counselling.
  • * Membership with a provincial association for marriage and family therapists or clinical counsellors is required to use the title "Registered Marriage and Family Therapist" or "Registered Clinical Counsellor", and in Quebec, to use the title "marriage and family therapist (MFT)", "family therapist (FT)" or "marriage therapist (MT)". Membership with a provincial association may be required by some employers.
  • * In Quebec, membership in the professional association is mandatory for counsellors and psychoeducators.
  • * Registered marriage and family therapists and registered clinical counsellors must meet strict criteria involving post-graduate education and a period of supervised clinical work with clients.

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