As many are aware, it was FACTBC’s intention in early 2020 to submit formal application to have counselling therapy designated as a regulated health profession under BC’s Health Professions Act. When the pandemic became a reality in BC in March, the application was put on pause to allow the Ministry of Health to focus on the emergency at hand.
The COVID pandemic, plus the ongoing opioid crisis in BC, have show an increase in the need for mental health services and therefore the need for regulation that protects people from harm becomes more apparent.
In September, when the initial crisis of COVID-19 seemed to level out, the plan was to submit the application. However, a provincial election was called and it was necessary to put the application on pause again.
Now the BC provincial election has passed and the results have been tabulated, including the unprecedented number of mail-in ballots. Rest assured, FACTBC has been working behind the scenes with our government relations consultants and preparing for the application submission.
The plan is to submit an application to the BC Minister of Health during the first week of December 2020 after a new cabinet is sworn in.
You can get involved in making a difference for everyone in British Columbia. Watch this short video to learn more »
Please draft a letter expressing your support of the regulation of the counselling therapy profession in BC. Share our video, The Need for Regulating Counselling Therapy, with your circle of influence and encourage them to write a letter too. Once a new cabinet is sworn in, FACTBC will confirm the date for submitting your letter to your MLA and the Minister of Health.
You can find a sample letter here »
We appreciate your continued commitment to supporting the pursuit of regulating counselling therapy in BC.