Who Does What? A look at Mental Health Providers

When seeking out mental health services, we may get overwhelmed by navigating what professional offers what type of services.  This may be even more difficult as in Canada as there is no one regulatory body for those who offer counselling services. Here is a helpful resource in navigating your needs in the mental health sphere:

1)     Clinical Counsellors. These are individuals who hold masters’ degrees and have complete a supervised practicum program. You may see those who use different names for this including psychotherapist, marriage & family therapist, or mental health clinician. The abbreviations to look for when seeking a master’s level clinical counsellor are Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC), Registered Clinical Counsellor RCC, or Registered Social Worker (RSW). This shows that they have registered with a regulatory body and carry liability insurance.

2)     Professional Counsellors & Life Coaches. These are individuals who have completed either certificates or diplomas from specialised schools. Often, Life Coaches focus on future objectives as well as day to day goal planning. They can offer a range of services but do not hold masters in counselling degrees.

3)     Psychiatrist. These are medical doctors who have specialized training in the treatment and diagnosis of mental health conditions. It is important to note that in Canada medical doctors and psychologists are the only individuals that can provide a mental health diagnosis.

4)     Psychologist. This is an individual who has competed a PHD program in psychology and is able to diagnosis individuals as well as provide therapy. A psychologist can not prescribe mental health medication.

5)     Psychiatric Nurse (RN): These are nurses who have specialised training in helping individuals monitor and tend to their mental health needs. This can include medication administration and recovery based rehab.