Family, Marriage and Other Related Counsellors (NOC 4153)
Description
Family, marriage and other related counsellors assist individuals and groups of clients to identify, understand and overcome personal problems and achieve personal objectives. They are employed by counselling centres, social service agencies, government agencies, family therapy centres, health care and rehabilitation clinics and hospitals, or they may work in private practice.
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Example Titles
- addictions counsellor
- bereavement counsellor
- child and youth counsellor
- family counsellor
- marriage counsellor
- registered clinical counsellor
- registered marriage and family therapist
- rehabilitation counsellor
- sex therapist
- vocational rehabilitation counsellor
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Classified Elsewhere
- Educational Counsellors (4143)
- Employment Counsellors (4213)
- Managers in Social, Community and Correctional Services (0314)
- Social Workers (4152)
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Duties
Family, marriage and other related counsellors perform some or all of the following duties:
- Interview clients, prepare case histories and assess problems
- Conduct vocational testing and psychometric assessment
- Develop and implement counselling and intervention programs to assist clients in determining goals and means of attaining them
- Counsel clients, and provide therapy and mediation services
- Evaluate the effectiveness of counselling programs and client progress in resolving identified problems and movement toward defined objectives
- Follow up results of counselling programs and client 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 conduct research, publish research papers, educational texts and articles and deliver presentations at conferences.
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Skills
Family and marriage counsellors need the following skills and abilities:
- a genuine interest in helping people resolve problems and get along with each other,
- the ability to listen well and with empathy, to be non-judgmental and understanding,
- excellent verbal and written communication skills,
- emotional maturity to deal with difficult situations,
- creative ability required to develop new programs or ways of doing things and analytical skills,
- decision-making ability,
- the ability to manage time and stress effectively,
- sensitivity to cultural, religious and ethnic issues,
- a deep sense of privacy and confidentiality,
- some business management skills may be required.
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Employment Requirements
- A bachelor's degree plus a master's degree in the field of counselling, mental health or a related social service discipline is required for public practice.
- Registration in the Manitoba Institute of Registered Social Workers is required to practise as a "Registered Social Worker."
- Registration with a professional association, such as the Psychological Association of Manitoba, Registry of Marriage and Family Therapists in Canada Inc., American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, Canadian Addiction Counsellors Federation, is usually required to practise as a registered professional.
- Community service agencies may accept certificate training in counselling.
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Terms & Conditions
Family, marriage and other related counsellors commonly work indoors, but may travel to meet with clients. The work can be stressful, as they are helping couples, families, and individuals deal with serious issues.
Most counsellors work during regular business hours, but occasionally evening or weekend work may be required. Part time work opportunities are available, although the majority (75%) work full-time. A small percentage of family, marriage and other related counsellors are self-employed (2%).
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Earnings
$27,000 per annum - starting
$44,500 per annum - average
$70,500 per annum - high
Earnings are reviewed annually or more frequently if new information becomes available.
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Education / Training
The University of Manitoba offers the following degree programs:
- Bachelor of Social Work [4 years: University 1 plus 3 years Social Work].
- Inner City Social Work (ICSWP) ACCESS Program (located at the Winnipeg Education Centre), Bachelor of Social Work for students facing social, financial, academic barriers to educational opportunities.
- A number of Aboriginal Focus Programs are offered through the University of Manitoba, Continuing Education Division.
- The Northern Bachelor of Social Work Program, offered through the University of Manitoba, is a four-year Bachelor of Social Work program in Thompson.
- Aboriginal Counselling Skills Certificate through Extended Education.
- Applied Counselling Certificate program through Extended Education.
- Distance Delivery Bachelor of Social Work program, offered to students living outside of Winnipeg.
- Pre-Master of Social Work program, prepares for entry in to the Masters program for students who do not have a Bachelor of Social Work.
- Master of Social Work M.S.W.
- Ph.D. in Social Work
- Master of Science in Family Social Science with four areas of study Developmental Health, Family Resource Management, Family Violence and Conflict Resolution, Inner City Families and Communities.
- Master of Arts, Psychology.
- Ph.D. in Psychology.
The University of Winnipeg offers the following programs:
- Master of Family of Marriage and Family Therapy (M.M.F.T) through the department of Theology
- Marriage and Family Therapy (Theory) Certificate
- Marriage and Family Therapy (Therapy) Certificate
- Bachelor of Arts, Psychology
- Pre-professional program in Social Work
Brandon University offers the following programs:
- Bachelor of First Nations and Aboriginal Counselling degree (B.F.N.A.C.)
- Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Psychology
- Pre-professional program in Social Work
Canadian Mennonite University offers the following programs:
- Bachelor of Arts, Psychology
- Bachelor of Arts in Social Science with a concentration in Counselling Studies or Social Services
- Pre-professional program in Social Work
University College of the North offers the following programs:
- Applied Counselling Skills paraprofessional program
Assiniboine Community College offers the following programs:
- Aboriginal Community Development, Social Stream Certificate (2 years)
- Applied Counselling Skills Certificate through Continuing Education
- Community Support Provider Certificate (4 months) also available by Distance Education
Red River College offers the following programs:
- Applied Counselling Certificate (6 months) also available by distance education
- Family Support Worker, available part-time by distance education
- Child and Youth Care Diploma (2-years) working with children and youth experiencing behavioural and/or emotional difficulties
- Applied Studies/Fetal Alcohol Syn through continuing education
- Family support worker through continuing education
The Addictions Foundation of Manitoba:
- Offers courses and workshops regarding addiction and addiction counselling.
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Career Paths
Counsellors usually become specialized in a particular area such as marriage, bereavement, youth or sex counselling through training and experience.
With experience and additional training family counsellors may move to positions as social worker, employment counsellor, university professor, or manager in community service organizations.
Counsellors may work in a social service agency or have their own private practice.
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Outlook
Employment prospects for family, marriage and other related counsellors are expected to be good in the period 2010 - 2014. Employment in Manitoba in 2010 is estimated at 930.
Counsellors with skills and experience in different kinds of counselling (group as well as individual), and with special client groups are likely to be in demand, although job opportunities in specialized areas may occur infrequently because of the small size of the occupational workforce. Advances in medical technology allow more people to survive illness and injury and generally live longer. With the assistance of rehabilitation counselling, many physically and mentally disabled and elderly citizens can live independently. More attention is being focussed on providing counselling support for behavioural disorders, substance abuse, and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).
Overall, the stress experienced by individuals and families in the early 21st century is unlikely to decrease, and the demand for counselling services will remain strong. Many larger companies and government departments have benefit plans that make access to counselling services for employees in times of need. Qualified counsellors of aboriginal origin are in high demand in many areas of the province.
Employment is fairly evenly distributed across the province. The majority of counsellors work in the Health Care and Social Assistance sector (73%), followed by Public Administration (22%) and Other Services (except Public Administration) (3%).
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Employment by Age Group
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Employment by Industry
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Employment by Region
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Employment by Gender
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Employment by Aboriginal Self-Identification
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Employment by Visible Minority
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Please Note - The source for above charts is the 2006 Census.
Professional Associations, Unions, and Regulatory Bodies...
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