Why and How to Become a Marriage Counselor in Canada
They say marriages are made in heaven, but it seems this doesn’t apply to everyone these days. Marriages are no longer like those fairytales, where everything is perfect. The relationship sometimes become bitter; the sourness can change the relationship after marriage. But, is that how you should keep it going- unsatisfactory and unsettled?
Perhaps, there is a solution. And, in simple terms, we would call it a marriage counselor. After all, a counselor is going to solve this mystery of why your marriage is not the best thing in your life. And when you are looking forward to becoming one in Canada, the chances are that you have to follow some necessary steps to become a leading professional marriage counselor here. Now the question is: how to become a marriage counselor in Canada?
Well, here is your answer:
Becoming a Marriage Counselor in Canada
Step #1: Get a Bachelor’s Degree
So, the first step is to attain a bachelor’s degree in marriage counseling. Individuals who are pursuing this career must get this degree to proceed further. In Canada, if you are not able to find any university that specifically offers a degree in marriage counseling, then the degree in the equivalent will also work. You can have your majors done in cognitive psychology, interpersonal relationships, or similar. Any clinical experience or internships are an add-on.
Step #2: Continue with your Master’s Degree
Couples counseling in Canada demands that you attain the Master’s degree right after you have completed your Bachelor’s degree. Becoming a professional marriage therapist demands both the bachelor’s and master’s degree in marriage counseling. Of course, if specific marriage counseling is not available in Canada, opting for some relevant courses would do. Participating in some research activities would be helpful to attain the knowledge and experience of this field.
Step #3: Real Clinical Experience Counts
This may vary from place to place. But, there are a specific number of hours that is to be completed to get clinical experience. If you have completed those specific hours of supervised work, you become eligible to provide counseling services in Canada. The standard clinical experience that almost every state desires is of two years. And, in case you have completed two years and that specified number of hours in counseling marriages, you are eligible to become a professional counselor in Canada.
Step #4: Attain Licensure
After you have completed these three steps, you will have to attain the licensure in your state. Now after attaining the bachelor’s and master’s degree in marriage counseling, you become eligible to sit for the licensing exam of your state. While some of the states have the permission to conduct their own exam, others need to do it through Examination in Marital and Family Therapy. The officials govern this exam, and you specifically need to answer the MCQs to provide professional counseling therapy in Canada.
Step #5: Persist with your Education
The licenses, usually, last for two years, and after that, you will have to renew it. Professional therapists need to attain more knowledge of this field to proceed further in this industry. You will have to update yourself by attaining knowledge from different online programs, workshops, and even some more relevant courses. This is how you can maintain your license.
Let’s Rewind
Time to count the steps again- Start with attaining a bachelor’s degree, continue with master’s degree, get clinical experience, attain a license, and study more to renew it after a specified interval. We hope that you might have got your answer on how to become a marriage counselor in Canada. So, follow this guide and be ready to become a professional marriage counselor in Canada now.
