Complaints
The public is invited to bring forward their concerns regarding counselling therapists in PEI.
Complaints may come forward from clients, clients' family members, or members of the public who believe there has been a breach of ethics or inappropriate care of any kind.
Complaints may also come forward from employers or colleagues of counselling therapists who may be obligated to report their concerns to the College in certain specific circumstances.
The Registrar of the College may also initiate the complaint process.
The College is required under the Regulated Health Professions Act to investigate all complaints about a registrant's practice submitted to the College.
Complaint Process
Complaints must be made in writing and signed by the complainant. Formal complaints cannot be anonymous. The complaint should include the following information:
- The name and contact information of the person making the complaint;
- The name and contact information of the client if different from above;
- The name of the counselling therapist involved;
- A detailed description of the concerns, including relevant dates;
- Any relevant supporting documentation; and
- Details of any discussion with the counselling therapists about the concern.
After a complaint form is submitted to the College of Counselling Therapy, the Registrar will review the complaint and may attempt to resolve it informally.
The Registrar may dismiss the complaint or, if the complaint cannot be satisfactorily resolved, forward the complaint to the Investigation Committee. An investigator or investigators will gather information, consider the allegations and the evidence of the complaint, and submit a report to the Investigation Committee. The Investigation Committee consists of at least one Council member and one public representative.
The Investigation Committee may make one of three decisions within 30 days of receiving the file:
- Dismiss the complaint,
- Forward the complaint to a mediator for mediation, or
- Forward the complaint to the hearing committee.
To file a complaint, please use the complaint form.
Choosing a Non-regulated Counsellor
The CCTPEI understands the importance of the therapeutic alliance (the relationship one builds with their therapist). We believe that you have the right to choose to work with the therapist of your choice.
Only therapists who wish to use the title Counselling Therapist are required to be members of the CCTPEI. Some therapists may choose not to use this designation. If the therapist you choose to work with does not hold the designation of Counselling Therapist, it is important to know that the CCTPEI will have no jurisdiction over complaints or issues that may occur during the course of the therapeutic alliance.
Therefore, if your therapist does not use the title of Counselling Therapist and is not a member of the CCTPEI, the CCTPEI strongly advises you to verify with your therapist how you can raise a complaint should the need arise.
