DQ 1.2 #2 Hi Derek! Reading about the requirements in Manitoba was very interesting to me! Especially considering how Manitoba is not a regulated province, even though as it was mentioned by FACT-Manitoba that, such regulations can help with minimizing public harm, while simultanously increasing the clients well being (FACTMB, n.d.). Despite this distinction, the requirements for becoming a licenced psychotherapist in both locations are very similar in my opinion. Some of the differences between all of the provinces mentioned by our classmates, emphasised the importance of cultural competency for me even more. Even though we are all working toward the same goal of becoming certified psychotherapists, we are all facing various challenges. This leads me to the areas of needed growth. It is critical, in my opinion, to focus on understanding and learning about diversity, particularly unique and different perspectives based on one's experiences, background, education, and culture. As Slay-Westbrook (2017) states in the chapter, "working with unconditional positive regard means accepting our differences, whatever they may be—race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, religion, nationality, or any other kind of arbitrary exclusion of others" (p. 11). I'm looking forward to learning more about the provincial differences, challenges, and perks from you and our other classmates! D.Q. 1.2 #3 Hi Maral I agree with you on the need for maintaining and strengthening diversity in the counselling profession and entrenching this inside a regulated authority backed by, at minimum, provincial law. One important way that we can look at, and measure, diversity is to examine and track the type of recognized and accepted programs within a particular College of Counselling Therapists. If we look at the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO), there is a range of recognized and accepted programs from Art Therapy, Schools of Divinity and Theological Studies, Jungian Studies, to mainstream degrees in Psychology (CRPO, n.d.) At least for Ontario, this College and its accepted programs are the gatekeepers into becoming a legally recognized counsellor. Equally important, they decide on the theoretical and philosophical framework underpinning ways in which any approach to therapeutic counselling can legally take place. As we look at diversity, I feel it is important to stay aware of how the Colleges themselves explicitly demonstrate their openness, or boundaries, toward the counselling profession. College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). Retrieved Jan 12, 2023. https://courses.yorkvilleu.ca/mod/forum/view.php?f=458219#p1010905610
