There are many different occupations that include the role of counselling. Some of these can be noted in the 'Related Occupations' list at the bottom of this page.  It's important to note that for some counselling occupations and positions there may be a range of appropriate professional or educational pathways. Factors that may influence the counselling occupation and training program you choose are: the type of organization you want to work for, your preferred timeline for training/schooling, areas of specialization (what issues you'd like to help people with), personal philosophies or preferred approaches, and the demographic of people that you'd like to help.

Counsellors who provide psychotherapy have a range of educational backgrounds and may choose a specific area of practice.  More information about areas of work and specific disciplines of study can be found on the following occupational profile pages:

Marriage and Family Therapist
Religious/Spiritual Leaders & Professionals
Psychologist
School and Guidance Counsellor
Social Worker 
Addictions Counsellor (OCCinfo by alis)

    Occupational profile

    Education

    Most Mental Health Counselling occupations require graduate school (ONET Online). The University of Manitoba provides education in some, but not all counseling specializations or pathway options. Five common educational pathways that prepare students for a career in mental health counselling are: Masters in Marriage & Family Therapy (MMFT) Graduate Studies, including a PsyD, in Clinical and Counselling Psychology; Masters in Social Work, M.A. in Counselling, and M.Ed. Counselling Psychology. 

    U of M Academic Calendar
    The Academic Calendar & Catalogue outlines program admission and course requirements. Use the left menu to navigate to a specific faculty and program. To determine which degree path suits your unique occupational goals, speak with a Career Consultant. For support with course registration and academic issues, speak with an Academic Advisor.

    Faculty and Department Homepages
    Visit U of M's faculty and department homepage to learn about program application deadlines and processes, as well as additional in-house resources and opportunities.

    Exploring Other Education Options

    Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials - information for foreign-trained professionals

    Labour market information

    Labour market information informs users of supply and demand for specific occupations and sectors. It includes such things as salary and job outlook information. These resources support informed career decision making and job search efforts. 

    Resources

    Professional Associations
    Professional associations organize events and directories, job postings, career and labour market information. Student membership opportunities are also available. This is a great way to learn and network. 

    Directories, Industry Associations, and Sector Councils
    These resources provide industry news, labour market information and a list of potential employers. Remember, there are usually multiple industries worth exploring. 

    Job Boards