November 2025 Newsletter
Maintaining Progress in a Complex Process
We know many of you are awaiting updates on the next steps to regulate Counselling Therapists in Alberta. ACTA is unified in your commitment to have Counselling Therapists regulated under the Health Professions Act—ensuring public protection and that your full scope of practice is integrated and utilized throughout Alberta’s refocused health-care system.
It has now been over 20 months since the government’s public commitment to regulate Counselling Therapists, identifying the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP) as the host college. As you are aware, CAP submitted an independent financial request to the government before reviewing the regulatory work prepared by ACTA, indicating that CAP determined government funding would be required before exploring a regulatory path for Counselling Therapists. While progress within that process has not yet advanced, ACTA understands that the government continues to demonstrate strong support for regulating Counselling Therapists in the interest of public protection and workforce stability. We also recognize that any regulatory approach must align with the priorities and design of Alberta’s refocused health-care system. ACTA remains prepared to support progress on the file and to collaborate with the government on whichever model or direction best enables Counselling Therapists to practice to their full scope and contribute meaningfully to Alberta’s refocused mental-health and addiction system.
Rest assured, ACTA maintains engagement with senior officials and Ministers as a recognized key partner in supporting this important work. We continue to work respectfully, collaboratively, and in a solution-focused manner with the government to ensure this file continues to move forward. Our discussions consistently reinforce the need to uphold public safety, secure professional accountability, and strengthen Alberta’s workforce through the regulation of Counselling Therapists in Alberta. At the same time, ACTA continues to bring a clear and consistent voice of urgency to every discussion, underscoring the importance of timely next steps so Counselling Therapists can be fully integrated into Alberta’s refocused health-care system. ACTA remains encouraged by ongoing dialogue and confident that direction will continue to take shape as the government advances its work.
We also want to acknowledge the impact of the prolonged timeline on many of you. Your commitment to professional excellence and continued contributions to regulation have not gone unnoticed; in fact, they have strengthened ACTA’s standing and credibility throughout the process. ACTA’s approach reflects a commitment to integrity and respect for the government’s lead role in this process, while remaining actively engaged and collaborative in ways that uphold your full scope of practice and support movement on the file.
Staying Steady Together as the Work Continues Forward
ACTA remains fully engaged, solutions-oriented, and prepared as this work moves forward. Your professionalism and commitment to public protection strengthen our voice and contributions, and help keep this file moving forward. We remain deeply appreciative of the steadiness you have shown throughout this complex process. As the government determines next steps, ACTA will continue to represent the profession with clarity, accuracy, and a steadfast focus on ensuring public protection and professional accountability are achieved, while supporting the integration of Counselling Therapists as an essential component of Alberta’s mental-health workforce. Thank you for your ongoing trust and partnership as we move forward together.
As always, we will continue to share updates as information becomes available.
Why Professional Membership in ACTA Matters — Today and Tomorrow
As we continue our collective journey toward regulation, we want to pause and recognize the professional commitment shown to ACTA and to the future of Counselling Therapy in Alberta. Membership is a clear statement that the profession of Counselling Therapy believes in stronger public protection, professional recognition and accountability, and the advancement of the distinct profession. For this, we are deeply grateful.
The monthly registration contribution of $36 is an investment with immediate and long-term impact. Registration identifies you as a Counselling Therapist ready for regulation and enables ACTA to sustain the infrastructure and expertise needed to represent the profession well, including:
A reliable registration system trusted by health regulators across Alberta for our growing membership
Our website, social media presence, and newsletters to increase public and stakeholder awareness
The technology needed for town halls, consultations, and transparent communication
Staffing and operational supports to keep our association running smoothly and ensure our leadership is able to travel to engage with government and stakeholders impacting our file
Hiring professional contractors, including government-relations experts who help refine strategy and shape the path toward regulation
Providing honorariums for professional development speakers who help strengthen our collective clinical competence and readiness for regulation
Ensuring strong, knowledgeable leadership at provincial tables and political events, so that counsellors continue to have a consistent and respected voice, and so much more!
These investments allow us to build critical relationships—with regulatory colleges, government, regulation stakeholders, insurance providers, Indigenous partners, and others. This behind-the-scenes work is foundational to securing a regulated future that honours Counselling Therapy as a profession with its own identity, standards, and expertise.
Your membership ensures that when regulation arrives, Alberta counsellors are positioned to be recognized as mental health colleagues and partners—as visible and valued as psychologists and social workers. A future where:
Employers clearly understand who Counselling Therapists are
The public recognizes your professional training
Government respects your role in Alberta’s mental-health landscape
Job opportunities throughout the health care system accurately reflect your competencies
Your seat at any table comes with recognition and professional credibility
Thank you for standing with ACTA,
Thank you for investing in your profession, and
Thank you for believing in the future we are building together.
Sincerely,
ACTA Chair, Nicole Imgrund &
Chair-Elect, Dr. Erinn Bailey-Sawatzky
