Catholic Counselling And Psychotherapy

Mental Health Care in New Brunswick

The regulation of psychotherapy in New Brunswick has developed over time in response to the growing need for professional oversight in mental health care. The initial steps toward regulation began in the 1970s when psychologists and social workers established governing frameworks for their professions. Over the following decades, as the demand for mental health services increased, discussions emerged about the necessity of regulating counselling therapy as a distinct profession.

In 2017, New Brunswick took a significant step toward regulation by passing the College of Counselling Therapists of New Brunswick (CCTNB) Act. This legislation formally established the CCTNB as the regulatory body responsible for counselling therapists in the province. The Act came into effect in 2019, requiring individuals using the title "Licensed Counselling Therapist (LCT)" to be registered with the CCTNB.

Despite these advancements, psychotherapy itself remains an unregulated activity in New Brunswick, meaning that individuals can still provide therapy services without being licensed, as long as they do not falsely claim to be a regulated professional. To ensure professional standards and ethical practice, individuals seeking therapy should confirm that their therapist is a member of a regulated professional body. In New Brunswick, these include the College of Psychologists of New Brunswick (CPNB) for psychologists, the New Brunswick Association of Social Workers (NBASW) for social workers, and the CCTNB for counselling therapists. If seeking services from an out-of-province therapist, ensure they are registered with a regulatory college in their respective province or a national organization such as the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA) if no provincial college exists.