Regulation Update September 2025
Regulation to Reflect the Full Scope of Practice for Counselling Therapists
Alberta Broader Regulatory Update: Health Care Aide Regulation
Upcoming Continuing Education Events
Next ACTA Application Information Session
Summer Politics
Over the summer, ACTA leaders engaged directly with political leaders at the Calgary Stampede and other events. We had a series of valuable discussions with Minister Adriana LaGrange, Minister Rick Wilson, and Deputy Minister Evan Romanow. Each reaffirmed the urgency of moving Counselling Therapist regulation forward and emphasized that public protection remains a priority. These connections are essential in keeping regulation front of mind with decision-makers, and ACTA continues to be recognized as a key partner in completing regulation.
It is also important to acknowledge that political leaders and ministries often pause during the summer months. As a result, it is not unusual that fewer formal updates are available during this period.
ACTA continues to act as the voice of urgency to the Government, emphasizing that progress must be made. Despite 18 months without movement, ACTA has been clear that resolution cannot wait. The decision to regulate with CAP rests with the Government, not with the profession. ACTA and the profession remain committed to supporting any path forward that completes the regulatory process, and we remain ready to establish a college or partner with a regulatory body prepared to complete this project collaboratively and efficiently. Again, ACTA continues to engage in this conversation with political leaders; however, the ultimate decision lies with the Government.
Thank you again for your patience, trust, and ongoing support. Your registration as a Counselling Therapist with ACTA reinforces the profession’s readiness for regulation and helps shape a framework that reflects your full scope of competencies and practice, consistent across Canada.
Alongside these political conversations, ACTA has consistently emphasized that regulation is not simply about title protection—it is about ensuring that Counselling Therapists are able to work to their full and recognized scope of practice across Alberta’s healthcare system.
Our profession is unique in its ability to serve across all four pillars of health. Yet without regulation, barriers remain that restrict Counselling Therapists from fully contributing within Alberta’s health system.
ACTA has reinforced the importance of regulation to ensure that Counselling Therapists can:
Provide services without unnecessary restrictions across all practice settings.
Be recognized as essential contributors within interdisciplinary health teams.
Ensure Albertans and First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities have equitable access to mental health services that are safe, competent, and accountable.
Sustain and enhance the competent mental health workforce to meet Alberta’s growing needs.
This is why urgency matters. Regulation is the step that allows Counselling Therapists to fully contribute to Alberta’s evolving healthcare system. Without it, gaps in service and access will persist for those who need it most.
The Government of Alberta announced this summer that Health Care Aides (HCAs) will become a regulated profession under the Health Professions Act (HPA). While the announcement may feel sudden, the process has been underway for several years.
Legislation enabling HCA regulation was passed on December 9, 2020, with the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta (CLPNA) named as its regulatory body from the outset. Since then, CLPNA has been working closely with the Government of Alberta, HCAs, and a broad range of stakeholders, both provincially and nationally, to prepare for this transition.
The amendments providing for the regulation of HCAs will officially come into force on February 2, 2026.
You can read the official announcement here: Alberta leads with health care aide regulation | alberta.ca
This development is positive news for Albertans and the health system. It reinforces the Government’s commitment to accountability and public protection through professional regulation, while also signalling its ongoing intent to complete the regulation of additional health professions under the HPA—including the regulation of Counselling Therapists.
ACTA continues to actively engage with government, pressing the case for timely regulation of Counselling Therapy and demonstrating our readiness to proceed. We appreciate our members’ awareness of these broader regulatory developments and your continued support in advancing the regulation of Counselling Therapists.
