How To Become A Counselor In Ontario? (2023)

Typically, the special purpose of a counselor is to make sure that the students have a sound education in every part of their education. The functions of a counselor also extend to giving support or help to students in their personal and extroverted growth. The presence of various age groups in the education system makes the functions of a counselor vary.

To become a licensed counselor in Ontario, you must have earned certification with the Canadian Counseling and Psychotherapy Association. Apart from this, you must have acquired a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in either counseling or any field connected to counseling and meet the requirements of CCPA’s certification.

How To Become A Counselor In Ontario?

The following is a detailed step by step process on how to become a counselor in Ontario:

1. Acquire A Bachelor’s Degree

The first step in be becoming a counselor in Ontario is acquiring a bachelor’s degree. The courses that counselors studies are social work, counseling, psychology, and other relevant courses. These courses help to groom one for the role of a counselor. Finishing and acquiring this degree takes three or four years. 

It might be longer than this if you study for fewer hours than the standard time. Acquiring all the fundamental knowledge on counseling supports when taking advanced courses.

2. Go For Training In A Teacher’s College

After acquiring your Bachelor’s degree, it’s also important you enroll yourself in a teacher’s college. You need to sacrifice another one or two years for training. In this phase, you acquire more knowledge about the development of children, study of the mind, and how to adjust your teaching skills to benefit various age groups. You can earn your Bachelor’s degree and enroll in a teaching program in any country of your choice, even if you plan on working in Ontario.

3. Become A Member

Meeting the requirements that the Ontario College of Teachers has laid down is necessary before you can start working as a counselor in Ontario. You must apply formally to become a member of their association and then pay a yearly membership fee to conserve your position or rank.

4. Obtain Extra Certificates

Obtaining extra certificates is a step in a good direction because it goes a long way in boosting your set of accomplishments, further helping in increasing your chances of securing a job as a count. The extra certificates can be obtained in fields like rehabilitation counseling, mental health counseling, and a host of others.

5. Obtaining A Master’s Degree

To increase your skills, produce a vivid impression on your hiring manager, secure a job faster with fatter pay. You can opt for obtaining a master’s degree, making your hiring manager consider you first for employment than others who don’t have this degree. Obtaining a master’s degree exposes you to more knowledge and skills on counseling students, behavioral psychology, and how to counsel people. 

This phase takes two years after acquiring the Bachelor’s degree.

Some schools in Ontario explicitly state there is a need for counselors with a master’s degree in counseling or any relevant area. This scenario can easily be found in schools owned by private institutions and guidance counselors in high school who prepare their students to be accepted into universities.

Despite the little differences, some specific functions are carried out by most counselors. They include;

• Assisting students in the area of education and also helping them in ways they can become better.
• Giving support to the study in the area of their mental health and their total mental well-being.
• Providing establishment to assist students in making their academics and mental health better.
• Creating counseling programs to help students know their abilities and select a career.
• Handling the way the students act and problems in their social life.

Helping people overcome addictions, fears, emotional and physical trauma, personal issues, and other problems is truly rewarding. As a counselor in Ontario, you’ll be helping others by applying different techniques and treatments targeted to each client’s situation.

You need to understand that counseling programs at colleges provide you with the interpersonal skills and trauma and addictions knowledge needed to become a counselor.

How Much Does A Counselor Earn In Ontario?

An estimation of the salary counselors collect in Ontario is $48,676 each year. Some specific factors that influence your precise salary, these factors are the organization that employs you, your degree of expertise, and your school’s district.

Are Counselors In High Demand In Ontario?

For the next three years, there’s a prospect that employment opportunities will be favorable. This job outlook also applies to working as a counselor in Ontario. Some factors are responsible for this prospect, they include;

• An increase in employment will result in a corresponding rise in employment posts.
• Many posts will become open as a result of people retiring from work.
• There is a small number of people that are unemployed with up-to-date training and skills in this field.

How Long Does It Take To Become A Counselor In Ontario?

To become a certified counselor in Ontario, getting a bachelor’s degree is important, and to get an advancement in the field, you can proceed to obtain a master’s degree. Acquiring both of these degrees takes nothing less than six years. If you’re looking forward to working in a clinic as a counselor or psychologist, you must enroll with the College of Psychologists of Ontario. 

To register as a counselor in Ontario, you need to fulfill some requirements. You need to have four years of work experience and one year of internship with under-qualified personnel. In some areas, you can be enrolled as a counselor or psychologist with just a master’s degree or, better still, a doctorate.

Related:

• How To Become A Coroner In Ontario
• How To Become A Car Salesman In Ontario

How Much Does It Cost To Become A Counselor In Ontario?

Tutelage fees for becoming a counselor in Ontario usually estimate $4500 for each year. This applies to the first three years of the training. After these three years, the tuition fee might increase up to $5000 each year.