Professional counselling is devoted to helping people meet the challenges of life. This may include individual counselling, group counselling, testing and evaluation, or a combination of services. Specialty areas of expertise focus on career counselling, measurement and testing, marriage and families, substance abuse, mental health counselling, student and adult development, rehabilitation, spirituality and multicultural counselling.

Professional counsellors receive extensive education and training that prepare them to help people of all ages, cultures and physical capabilities who strive to reach maximum potential in their lives. Preparation includes at least a master’s degree and field training with a solid foundation in human growth and development, career and lifestyle development, social and cultural foundations, and group work, as well as a practica and internship to assure optimum professional development.

Children, adolescents, adults and people who are older, look to professional counsellors when facing a wide range of personal, career and emotional challenges and concerns. For example,· to make sound educational and career decisions, cope with change or develop potential;· to cope with physical and/or emotional crises;· to combat substance abuse, eating disorders and other compulsive behaviours; to resolve personal and family conflicts, such as death, separation, divorce, remarriage, abuse, barriers in realizing full personal, professional, educational and social potential;· to develop preventative life skills for dealing with transition and change. 

Professional counselors serve at all levels of schools and colleges, in hospitals, mental health agencies, rehabilitative/residential facilities, correctional institutions, religious organizations, community centres and private practice.

Most insurance plans cover mental health services provided by psychologists and counsellors. If you do not have insurance or your coverage does not include mental health services, many professional counselors offer a sliding-fee scale or a payment plan. Consult with your counsellor about whether they accept your insurance plan and discuss other options.

Counselling fees vary according to whether services are provided by the Government, Non-profit agencies or private practitioners. Employee Assistance Programmes’s have contracts with numerous organizations, which will entitle employees with ‘free’ counselling services. Community agencies may render services for free or at nominal fees and counsellors in private practice may range from $85-150. Clients who cannot afford the standard fee, may be able to negotiate fees on a sliding scale basis. All financial arrangement must be agreed to prior to your appointment. 

Generally, the counselling relationship will be terminated when the problem that you sought help for has been resolved or you have met you intended goals. Some insurance companies or EAP’s may limit the number of sessions for which they will pay (on average 6-8 sessions).

You can ask to see the qualifications of the therapist (degree, certifications, or license). Ask if the counsellor is a member of BCA! BCA members abide by a Code of Ethics and Standard of Practice. Members state their level of qualification upon application.

It is important that the client and the therapist are able to work together. Throughout your initial conversation, you can determine whether this therapist is right for you. Be clear about what you want and what the counsellor can offer. You can ask about their professional memberships, experience, and training. Ask the time, place, cost and how long it will take as well as if there are any charges for cancelled appointments.

Most agencies see persons by appointment. However, some may take ‘walk-in’
appointments or may have a waiting list in the event of cancelled appointments.
In emergencies, a therapist may be able to see you immediately.

Members of BCA subscribe to a code of ethics and standard of practice, which requires counsellors to protect the confidentiality of their communications with clients. There are legal exceptions such as subpoena by a court order or if in the counsellor judgment there is a danger to self or others, in which case confidentiality may be breached. Other disclosures can only be made with the full WRITTEN consent of the client.

Counselling is not ‘advice giving’ but a process in which clients are motivated to change. Skills such as listening, staying open, encouraging, challenging through confronting with reality are essential in developing a counseling relationship. In addition, it is essential that counselors possess the core elements of being nonjudgmental, warm and genuine.
However, people who use counselling skills are not necessarily counsellors.
The distinguishing factor is the ability of the professional counsellor to use contracts with clients and have the skills to develop, sustain and end the helping relationship. Professional counsellors abide by a code of ethics and standards of practice that are define the parameters of the counselling relationship.