Job description Special Needs Counsellor in the Southwest Region

Find out what work is like for a special needs counsellor in Canada. This work description is applicable to all Family, marriage and other related counsellors (NOC 41301).

Therapists in counselling and related specialized therapies

Description

Therapists in counselling and related specialized therapies assist individuals and groups of clients to identify, understand and overcome personal problems and achieve personal objectives. They can be specialized to work on specific problems and they may practice psychotherapy. They are employed by counselling centres, social service agencies, group homes, government agencies, family therapy centres, and educational, health care and rehabilitation facilities, or they may work in private practice.

Work week duration

Therapists in counselling and related specialized therapies usually work between 35 to 40 hours per week.
Between 35 to 40 hours

Job duties

Here are some of the main activities and tasks that Therapists in counselling and related specialized therapies have to perform, and some of the physical demands they involve:

  • Interview clients, prepare case histories and assess problems
  • Develop and implement counselling and intervention programs to assist clients in determining goals and means of attaining them
  • 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 collaborate with employee assistance programs or with government organizations in health and safety or with victims of crime
  • May participate in fundraising activities.

Physical demands Help - Physical Demands

  • Sitting

Physical demands

Physical demands are the physical activities that the job requires the worker to do. Physical demands are selected according to the likeliness that workers will have to perform them for at least half of the time they spend at work.

Workplaces and employers

Here are the typical workplaces where Therapists in counselling and related specialized therapies are employed and some of their main characteristics:

  • Social service agencies
  • Group homes
  • Government agencies
  • Counselling centres
  • Radio stations
  • Family therapy centres
  • Hospitals
  • Health care and rehabilitation clinics

Work environment Help - Physical Work Environment

  • Indoors, environmentally controlled

Physical proximity from others Help - Physical proximity from others

  • Somewhat close (e.g. share office)

Work environment

The work environment refers to the physical setting in which people work. The characteristics and conditions of the work environment are selected according to the likeliness that workers will be exposed to them at least once a week.

Physical proximity from others

Physical proximity from others refers to the physical distance between individuals in the workplace. The likeliness that the job requires to perform tasks while being physically close to other people is rated on a scale with 3 levels: "Somewhat close", "Close" and "Very close".

Related job titles

Here are some other related job titles that are found in the same occupational category (NOC 41301), and a list of similar occupations:

  • addictions counsellor
  • art therapist
  • bereavement counsellor
  • child and youth counsellor
  • drama therapist
  • family counsellor
  • marriage counsellor
  • movement therapist
  • music therapist
  • psychotherapist
  • registered clinical counsellor
  • registered dance therapist
  • registered marriage and family therapist
  • sexologist

Similar occupations Help - Similar occupations

Similar occupations

This section lists other occupations that are part of the same broad occupational category as Therapists in counselling and related specialized therapies in the National Occupational Classification (NOC). These occupations involve similar core qualifications but involve different responsibilities. To see more similar occupations, use the Job Transition Tool.

Sources Occupational and Skills Information System & National Occupational Classification

Labour Market Information Survey
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