Diploma of Applied Psychology and Counselling Specializing in Advanced Counselling Practitioner

The Diploma program specializing in the Practice of Advanced Counselling Practitioner is geared to post-diploma students, university graduates, and mental health professionals who wish to incorporate advanced techniques into their scope of practice. (Undergraduate degree related to mental health, social work or psychology is required for admissions to the Diploma program specializing in Advanced Counselling Practitioner.)

The accelerated, online program consists of 16 courses and can be completed in just one year. All textbooks, videos, and study materials are included with the cost of tuition.

This program has been approved by the Private Training Institutions Regulatory Unit (PTIRU) of the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills.

What is the difference between Counselling and an Advanced Practitioner?

The practice of an Advanced Counselling Practitioner and counselling actually overlap in several ways – with the practice of a counsellor. Both apply psychological concepts and techniques to alleviate clients’ personal distress. Differences between the two disciplines are primarily based on severity of the client’s symptoms; length of treatment; and level of the practitioner’s training and experience. A counsellor typically treats mental health issues that are less severe and shorter in duration than those that require advanced interventions. .

Scope of Practice of an Advanced Counselling Practitioner

The entry-to-mid level Advanced Counselling Practitioner uses advanced assessment skills, psychotherapeutic techniques and in-depth knowledge to treat disorders of thought, cognition, mood, and perception causing low to mid-level impairment of judgement, behaviour, and/or social functioning.

Mental health practitioners who wish to incorporate advanced techniques into their scope of practice are expected to pursue advanced training and supervised experience. In order to practice advanced counselling or psychotherapy in some provinces such as Ontario, Quebec, and Nova Scotia, practitioners are required to register with the province. Check with your home province for regulations that may apply..

What will you learn in the Advanced Diploma program?

Although not a training program for psychotherapy, the advanced courses in KCPC’s Diploma program correlate with the basic scope of practice required for the practice of psychotherapy. Upon successful completion of 16 courses in training as an Advanced Counselling Practitioner, graduates include the following as their Professional Portfolio of Job Skills.

Understanding the personal and professional challenges of a therapy practice.
Awareness of the impact of therapist’s personality, insights and judgment on the therapeutic relationship and the efficacy of treatment.
Ability to integrate major theories into the advanced practice of evidence-based psychotherapy.
Ability to evaluate the efficacy of your therapeutic orientation
Assessment, strategic treatment planning, and psychopharmacology applied to disorders classified in the DSM.
Awareness of ethics, multiculturalism, and research as applied to clinical practice.
Understanding diversity in the context of sex, gender, social and developmental stages when working with couples and individuals.
Ability to write professional correspondence and case reports consistent with APA guidelines.
Ability to research and measure the efficacy of your own therapeutic approach.

What are the requirements for Graduation?

Complete 16 required courses; fulfill the volunteer position requirement. Advanced Counselling Practitioner Diploma Course Details
Pass each course with a minimum of 65%.
Compile a portfolio of job skills required for entry-to mid-level practice.
Demonstrate competency in all core concepts by passing a comprehensive proficiency exam at the conclusion of the program.
A total of 984 hours of coursework are required for completion of the Diploma program.
Complete the volunteer requirement.

For a complete description of courses click here for the KCPC Course Catalogue (PDF).

Note: Credit for KCPC courses may be transferable to other colleges and universities at the discretion of their admissions departments.

What about employment?

Educational requirements in the mental health field are shifting from conventional academics toward a competency-based model. Employers are looking to hire therapists who are competent and ready to treat clients struggling with disorders of thought, mood, and behavior. Graduates with additional experience or credentials increase their standing with perspective employers.

Although KCPC can’t guarantee employment outcomes, graduates of the Diploma program with a specialization in Advanced Counselling Practitioner, acquire the skills required for entry-to-mid-level mental health positions in private practice, and a variety of community agencies.

Professional Designation

Graduates can apply to the Canadian Professional Counsellors Association for designation as a Registered Professional Counsellor, (RPC). Therapists with additional training, supervision and experience may qualify for designation as a Master Practitioner in Clinical Counseling (MPCC)

Most Canadian provinces permit the advanced practice of counselling with the RPC or MPCC designation, or affiliation with other professional associations. Provinces such as Ontario, Quebec, and Nova Scotia may require additional registration.

For example, if you intend to practice as a psychotherapist in Ontario, you will be required to meet specific provincial requirements for education, competence, and clinical experience. Although courses offered through KCPC’s Diploma program may meet the content and number of training hours required, registrants are expected to fulfill other requirements such training outside of the Diploma program and a supervised internship. Go to https://www.crpo.ca for details on when you are required to Register with the CRPO as a psychotherapist or go to: https://www.crpo.ca/activities-outside-the-controlled-act/ to determine when you do not need to register with the CRPO.

NOTE: KCPC is an Associate member of the CPCA. We encourage all graduates to seek professional designation with a recognized National association. For information about application requirements and benefits of membership in the Canadian Professional Counsellors Association go to – https://thecpca.ca/

For information about membership in the Canadian College of Professional Counselling Practitioners go to – https://ccpcp.ca/criteria-for-membership/