Regulation Update May 2025
Earlier this week, Nicole Imgrund, Chair of the ACTA Board, had a conversation with Minister Williams, who reaffirmed his strong commitment to the regulation of counselling therapists in Alberta. He emphasized that this work remains a priority for him. He is actively engaged in advancing this project, recognizing the urgency to complete it in a timely manner. Collaborating closely with the Departments of Health, Mental Health and Addiction, efforts are underway to solidify a collaborative path to regulation with CAP, ensuring meaningful involvement with ACTA as the body representing the profession for regulation in Alberta. These efforts aim to complete the project promptly and meet the urgent need of Albertans for greater access to safe and effective counselling therapy services.
During his presentation at the Chamber of Edmonton Event on May 12, 2025, Minister Williams provided insights into the government's strategy to build a more integrated and effective mental health and addiction system. Notably, he highlighted the necessity of increasing the mental health workforce as part of this strategy, including the regulation of counselling therapists.
We have been assured that there will soon be further collaborative meetings involving ACTA to start getting the work underway within expected timelines. Although the exact updated timelines have yet to be clarified, it is clear the government recognizes the need for counselling therapists to be regulated to support mental health initiatives throughout Alberta.
These developments mark a hopeful and encouraging step forward as we continue to advocate for a regulated, respected, and fully integrated counselling profession in Alberta’s healthcare workforce.
ACTA remains a named partner in regulation, and Counselling Therapist membership in ACTA is vital to identifying the profession’s readiness for regulation through ACTA and working to ensure the profession maintains its full scope of practice in Alberta. Now is the time to join ACTA and help shape the future of your profession—your participation is essential. Apply Now
ACTA remains committed to keeping the profession informed every step of the way. Keep up-to-date by following our newsletter and attending our regular townhalls.
ACTA remains a named partner in collaborating with the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP) and the Ministry of Health and Mental Health and Addiction to transition and establish regulation in Alberta. ACTA is not a professional association representing the interests of counsellors but an association initiated by the government in 2018 to capture the profession under a single umbrella and work with the government to actualize regulation in the public interest.
As such, ACTA’s mandate and work plans are committed to supporting the completion of regulation representing the profession's voice in the regulatory process, which is an essential component of regulation in the Alberta Health Professions Act.
ACTA’s registrants and registration system are the starting point for a) identifying the profession and b) demonstrating the profession’s ability to fund ongoing regulation under the HPA.
ACTA ensures that registered practitioners are ready to transition under the HPA by requiring the profession to adhere to professional standards and its code of ethics, complete required regulatory training, and maintain competencies. Additionally, ACTA maintains collaborative relationships with regulators across Canada to ensure consistency and keep the profession up to date.
Your registration in ACTA mobilizes the advancement and completion of regulation in Alberta.
