Learn more about the profession of counselling/psychotherapy
through CCPA’s government submissions, issue papers, media press releases,
and more!
Publications relating to the profession of counselling/psychotherapy
CCPA Advocacy Toolkit for Members
Counselling/Psychotherapy Infographic
COVID-19 Impacts on the Mental Health and Substance Use Health (MHSUH) Workforce in Canada
Learn more about this research from Canadian Health Workforce Network & Mental Health Commission of Canada, in which CCPA participated!
Parity Pledge – call on the Federal Government to pass legislation to provide access to mental health and substance abuse that is on par with physical health!
CCPA, as a member of CAMIMH, supports achieving parity in access to care among mental health, substance abuse, and physical health.
Federal Government Submissions
Canada’s mental health care system is under significant strain: an estimated 5.3 million Canadians reported they needed help for their mental health in 2017, but of these, 43% (2.3 million) reported that their mental health needs were only partially met or fully unmet. The need for counselling was the most likely to be unmet (Moroz, Moroz, D’Angelo, 2020). Improving access to counsellors/psychotherapists is essential in order to address the barriers in accessing mental health services.
Submission to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health (HESA) study on Children’s Health (May 20, 2022)
2022 Department of Finance Pre-Budget Submission
Submission for the Pre-Budget Consultations in Advance of the 2022 Budget (August 2021)
Submission to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health (January 2021)
2021 Department of Finance Pre-Budget Submission
Submission to the Pre-Budget Consultations in Advance of the 2021 Budget (August 2020)
Submission to the Pre-Budget Consultations in Advance of the 2020 Budget (August 2019)
Issue Papers
The profession of counselling/psychotherapy is diverse; practitioners working in diverse settings such as private practice, schools, universities, agencies, and health care. CCPA’s issue papers highlight professional practice issues relevant to the counselling/psychotherapy in Canada.
Issue Papers
The Urgent Need for Counselling Services
The Urgent Need for Improved Indigenous Mental Health Services in Canada
Supporting Transition to Adulthood Among Youth with Mental Health Needs
Career Matters: the Critical Role Career Development Plays in Mental Health and Wellness
Media Requests
The Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA) is a national bilingual association that promotes the profession of counselling and psychotherapy and its contribution to the mental health and well-being of all Canadians. CCPA is available to the media to speak on matters related to the role of the profession in all healthcare, educational and industry sectors; contact us to arrange an interview with one of our spokespersons.
For media requests, please contact:
Sophie Normand
[email protected]
(613) 407-4294
Impact Public Affairs
Press Releases
CCPA is committed to recognizing and supporting various special days and weeks throughout the year, both nationally and internationally, by issuing press releases to the media to highlight these important events. In many cases, the release results in an interview with a CCPA expert on radio, television or in the print media. In this way, CCPA is helping to raise awareness of issues that affect the profession, while promoting the services offered by counsellors and psychotherapists and sharing valuable resources, such as the Association’s Let’s Talk website, which is designed to help people living with mental illness and mental health issues.
You will also find in this section relevant news releases from national groups that CCPA supports and belongs to (such as the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health) or other organizations (such as the Mental Health Commission of Canada).
2023
February 6, 2023 – Canadian School Counselling Week 2023
2022
October 24 – CCPA Asks the Federal Government to Re-Instate CCCs within the NIHB Mental Health Program
October 12 – CAMIMH Sixty-five Organizations Call on Federal Government to Immediately Establish the Canada Mental Health Transfer
September 29 – CCPA Honours National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
September 20 – National Coalition calls on Government to Remove GST/HST from Therapy Services
June 21 – CCPA Celebrates National Indigenous Peoples’ Day and Indigenous History Month
May 26 – PBO Report Announces the Cost of Exempting Counselling Therapists/Psychotherapists from GST/HST
May 2 – CCPA Celebrates CMHA Mental Health Week
April 1 – CCPA Launches the Inaugural Counselling and Psychotherapy Month in April 2022!
February 6 – Canadian School Counselling Week 2022: Who We Are and How We Help
2021
December 6, 2021 – Survey Shows Therapists in Canada Have Been Affected by – but are Adapting to – the Pandemic
November 22, 2021 – National Addictions Awareness Week
November 1, 2021 – Canada Career Month (CCM)
October 4, 2021 – Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW)
September 30, 2021 – National Day of Truth and Reconcilitation
September 10, 2021 – World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD)
June 21, 2021 – National Indigenous Peoples Day
May 13, 2021 – CCPA 2021 Professional Champion Award
May 3, 2021 – Mental Health Week
February 1, 2021- Canadian School Counselling Week : School Counsellors Continue to Support Students through a Global Pandemic
2020
November 23 – National Addictions Awareness Week 2020
November 9 – Canada Career Month 2020
October 4-10: Mental Illness Awareness Week 2020
September 10 – World Suicide Prevention Day
July 13 – Mental Health Action Plan
June 18 – National Indigenous Peoples Day 2020
May 4 – Mental Health Week: Dealing with Mental Health and Wellness during COVID-19
February 3 – Canadian School Counselling Week: Building Resilience in Uncertain Times
2019
December 6 – L’École Polytechnique de Montréal: 30 Years Later
November 25 – Talking Can Help Campaign
November 5 – Celebrating Canada Career Month: Guiding Canadians on Their Career Trajectory
October 7 – Celebrating the 2019 Mental Illness Awareness Week Campaign
September 10 – Counsellors and Psychotherapists Mark 2019’s World Suicide Prevention Day
August 9 – International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples
June 21 – National Indigenous Peoples Day: Prioritizing Women, Girls, LGBTQ and Two‐Spirited People
May 6 – Employers Are Stepping Up to Support the Mental Wellness of Employees
January 30 – CAMIMH is proud to continue working with Bell Let’s Talk to support those living with mental illness
January 15 – CAMIMH Opens Nominations for the 2019 Champions Awards
2018
December 6 – National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women
November 1 – Supporting Canada’s Population in Preparation for Labor Market Needs and Fulfilling Careers
October 1 – Mental Illness Awareness Week shines light on a stigmatized social issue facing Canadians
September 10 – World Suicide Prevention Day: Suicide still one of the leading causes of death for young people in Canada
August 9 – International Day of the World’s Indigenous People: Mental Health Must be a Priority
July 17 – CAMIMH Announces the Faces of Mental Illness for 2018
May 17 – Canada Must Do More to Combat Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia
April 17 – CAMIMH – Public Nominations NOW OPEN for the Faces of Mental Illness Campaign
April 11 – The Humboldt Broncos and the Need for Healing Following Tragedy
February 5 – School Counselling a Vital Aspect of Student Mental Health
January 15 – CAMIMH Opens Nominations for the 2018 Champions Awards
2017
December 12: Pre-Budget Report Focuses on Mental Health Needs and Appropriateness of Care
December 6: Canada Must do More to Address Violence Against Indigenous Women
November 13: Myths Surrounding Drug Addiction: Why Destigmatizing Opioid Addiction Is Critical
November 2 – Counsellors and Psychotherapists Applaud Bill Aimed at Establishing Tax Fairness for Mental Health Services
November 1 – Canada Career Month Focuses on Employment Issues Impacting Millennials and Baby Boomers
October 16 – Mental Health Organization Receives Prestigious Award for Work in Support of Canada’s Veterans and their Families
October 2 – Taking Over Parliament Hill to Advance the Mental Health Agenda
September 8 – World Suicide Prevention Day and Understanding Why Suicide is One of the Leading Causes of Death in Canada
July 13 – Living in Recovery and Taking Action: CAMIMH Announces the Faces of Mental Illness for 2017
June 27 – Canadian Multiculturalism Day Brings Attention to Need for Culturally
Appropriate Counselling Nation‐Wide
June 21 – National Aboriginal Day and the Need to Prioritize Mental Health
May 3 – CAMIMH Hosts 15th Annual Champions of Mental Health Awards Gala
May 1 – National Mental Health Week Shines a Spotlight on Mental Health Issues Faced by Canadians
April 11 – CAMIMH Calls for Nominations for the Faces of Mental Illness Campaign
April 4 – CAMIMH (Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health) Press Release
Meet our 2017 Champions of Mental Health!
March 27 – CAMIMH (Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health) Budget Press Release
February 6 – Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association Celebrates Fourth Annual Canadian School Counselling Week
2016
December 6 – National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women: ending the culture of gender-based violence
November 14 –National Addiction Awareness Week: Recovery is Possible with the Right Support
October 4, 2016 – Speaking up for those who are living in silence: CAMIMH advances the policy discussion on mental health in Ottawa
September 10, 2016 – World Suicide Prevention Day: Having the Difficult Conversation
July 13, 2016 – Spreading Awareness, Reducing Stigma: Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health Introduces its Faces of Mental Illness for 2016
June 27, 2016 – 14th Annual Multiculturalism Day Highlights Need for Culturally Sensitive Counselling for Canada’s Diverse Population
June 21, 2016 – National Aboriginal Day: There’s Hope that Mental Illness will be Prioritized
May 24, 2016 – Schizophrenia: a Serious Mental Illness Affecting an Estimated 300,000 Canadian
May 17, 2016 – Mental Health and Well Being Takes Center Stage for International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia & Biphobia
May 2, 2016 – National Mental Health Week Brings Important Attention to Mental Health Issues in Canada
April 7, 2016 – The Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health Announces the 2016 Champions of Mental Health
March 22, 2016 – Career Developers Praise Budget’s Thorough Measures to Address Pressing Issue of Labour Market Connections
March 21, 2016 – Racism and Mental Health Intricately Linked
February 1, 2016 – CCPA Celebrates Third Annual Canadian School Counselling Week
January 22, 2016 – The Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health Welcomes Nominations for the 2016 Champions of Mental Health Awards
2015
December 7, 2015 – CCPA Recognizes Canada’s National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women
December 3rd, 2015 – Counsellors and Psychotherapists Acknowledge International Day of Persons with Disabilities
November 16tn, 2015 – National Addictions Awareness Week Shines Light on Those Struggling with Overcoming Addiction Obstacles
November 2nd, 2015 – ‘Decent Work, Healthy Lives’: Canada Career Week Launches Nationwide
October 5th, 2015 – Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association Proudly Participates in Mental Illness Awareness Week
September 22nd, 2015 – CCPA Supports Health Action Lobby’s Call to Action on Health Care – The Canadian Way
September 10th, 2015 – “Preventing Suicide: Reaching Out and Saving Lives” – CCPA Acknowledges World Suicide Prevention Day
September 4th, 2015 – Parties Need to Take Action on Youth Un- and Underemployment
August 4th, 2015 – Pan-Canadian Survey Raises Warning Signs on Mental Health Services
June 29, 2015 – Canada’s Counsellors and Psychotherapists Proudly Celebrate Canadian Multiculturalism Day
June 19, 2015 – Celebrate National Aboriginal Day Sunday, June 21st
June 3, 2015 – CMHA releases poll results of Canadians calling for increased funding for mental health
May 25, 2015 – Counsellors and Psychotherapists Acknowledge National Schizophrenia and Psychosis Awareness Day
May 6, 2015 – Career Challenge Reveals Canadians Need and Want Support Finding Career Satisfaction
May 4, 2015 – Join Canada’s Counsellors and Psychotherapists in Celebrating Mental Health Week
April 22, 2015 – CAMIMH Opens Nominations for 13th Annual Faces of Mental Illness Campaign
April 8, 2015 – Join Us in Celebrating 50 Years at CCPA’s 2015 Annual Conference
April 2, 2015 – CCPA Applauds Ontario Government on New College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario
March 30, 2015 – CAMIMH Proudly Annunces the 2015 Champions of Mental Health Awards Recipients
March 16, 2015 – Building Awareness to Better Your Brain
February 2, 2015 – Canadian School Counselling Week
2014
December 8, 2014 – Raising Awareness for Violence Against Women
December 3, 2014 – CCPA Recognizes International Day of Persons with Disabilities
December 2, 2014 – Canada Needs Federal Leadership to Accelerate Health Innovation and Improve System Performance
November 17, 2014 – Stand Up! (to Bullying)
November 4, 2014 – Want to Launch Your Career to the Next Level? Try the Career Development Challenge!
November 3, 2014 – Canada Career Week Launches Nationwide
October 10, 2014 – Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association Proudly Acknowledges World Mental Health Day
October 6, 2014 – Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association Recognizes Mental Illness Awareness Week
September 10, 2014 – Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association Acknowledges World Suicide Prevention Day
September 9, 2014 – Raising Awareness for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder – CCPA Acknowledges 15th Annual Awareness Day
July 22, 2014 – CCPA Honours Past-President and Stonewall Resident with Two Prestigious Awards
July 22, 2014 – CCPA Honours Ottawa University Professor With Counselling Book Award
July 22, 2014 – Canada’s Counsellors and Psychotherapists Honour Calgary Master’s Student With Marsh Bursary Award
July 22, 2014 – Canada’s Counsellors and Psychotherapists Honour Laval Graduate With Master’s Thesis Award
July 22, 2014 – Canada’s Counsellors and Psychotherapists Honour Halifax School Counsellor With Leadership Award
July 9, 2014 – The Faces of Mental Illness Know, it’s Time for ACT!ON Mental Health for 2014
July 2, 2014 – CAMIMH Welcomes Clara Hughes to Ottawa Upon Completing Clara’s Big Ride
June 27, 2014 – Canada’s Counsellors and Psychotherapists Proudly Celebrate Canadian Multiculturalism Day
June 23, 2014 – Landmark research shows Housing First approach proves effective in Winnipeg
June 20, 2014 – Canada’s Counsellors and Psychotherapists Celebrate National Aboriginal Day
June 9, 2014 – CCPA Would Like to Thank and Pay Tribute to Uniformed Police Officers Across the Country
May 23, 2014 – Canada’s Counsellors and Psychotherapists Acknowledge National Schizophrenia and Psychosis Awareness
May 22, 2014 – Nominations for the Faces of Mental Illness Campaign are NOW OPEN!
May 22, 2014 – Complexity and impact of RN role powerfully illustrated in national awareness campaign
May 22, 2014 – Honourable Justice Murray Sinclair Awarded Professional Champion Award by CCPA
May 5, 2014 – Canada’s Counsellors and Psychotherapists Proudly Celebrate Mental Health Week
April 30, 2014 – CAMIMH Seeks Nominations for the 12th Annual Faces of Mental Illness Campaign
April 7, 2014 – Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association Celebrates World Health Day
April 2, 2014 – CAMIMH Proudly Announces the 2014 Champions of Mental Health Awards Recipients
March 31, 2014 – END OF 2004 HEALTH ACCORD; FEDERAL LEADERSHIP REQUIRED
March 10, 2014 – Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association Acknowledges Brain Awareness Week
March 5, 2014 – Clara’s Big Ride for Bell Let’s Talk gets ready to roll
February 18, 2014 – Budget 2014 – Mental Health Missing In Action
February 7, 2014 – CAMIMH Proud to Support and be Recognized as Official Sponsor of Defeat Depression
January 28, 2014 – CCPA is Proud to Announce the Inaugural Launch of Canadian School Counselling Week
January 23, 2014 – CAMIMH Seeks Nominations for the Champions of Mental Health Awards
2013
December 9, 2013 – CAMIMH Calls for Canadians to Contribute to a Responsible Discussion on Suicide
December 6, 2013 – National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women
December 3, 2013 – CCPA Proudly Acknowledges International Day of Persons with Disabilities
November 18, 2013 – Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association Acknowledges Bullying Awareness Week
November 4, 2013 – Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association Celebrates Canada Career Week
October 31, 2013 – Mental Illness Awareness Week photos
October 16, 2013 – Indigenous youth get help to achieve their career potential
October 10, 2013 – Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association Proudly Acknowledges World Mental Health Day
October 8, 2013 – From Awareness to Action: Moving Forward for Mental Health
October 8, 2013 – Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association Celebrates Mental Illness Awareness Week
October 2, 2013 – Vancouver Sun – B.C. First Nations take over their own health care services
September 17, 2013 – BC News: Reconciliation Week Proclaimed in British Columbia NEWS RELEASE For Immediate Release 2013
September 10, 2013 – Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association Acknowledges World Suicide Prevention Day
September 9, 2013 – CCPA Acknowledges International Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Awareness Day
August 16, 2013 – CCPA Applauds Government of Nova Scotia’s Commitment to Improve Youth Mental Health Services
July 22, 2013 – Congratulations to CCC/CCPA member Dr. Rod McCormick
July 12, 2013 – Statement by CCPA on Recent Tragic Events Recent Tragic Events in Canada
June 21, 2013 – National Aboriginal Day
April 25, 2013 – Clara’s Big Ride for Bell Let’s Talk
February 28, 2013 – The counselling and psychotherapy profession in Canada: regulatory processes and current status
February 27, 2013 – Shire Canada inc. lance un programme visant à soutenir les adultes canadiens diagnostiqué d’un TDAH
January 18, 2013 – Canada’s First Ever Voluntary Workplace Mental Health Standard