Become a member of The College of Licensed Counselling Therapists of New Brunswick
CCTNB NEWSLETTER
February 2025
President’s Message
Dear Members,
Welcome to 2025! I hope this year brings you continued success, fulfillment, and personal growth as you carry out the vital work of supporting individuals through their mental health journeys.
I am Meredith Henry, and it is an honour to serve as your new President for the College of Licensed Counselling Therapists of New Brunswick (CCTNB). With 20 years of experience as a licensed counselling therapist, I’ve had the privilege of working with a wide range of clients, focusing particularly on complex trauma, dissociation, eating disorders, and supporting veterans and first responders. Currently, I work in a group private practice clinic where I continue to support individuals facing diverse mental health challenges. I came from a background in post-secondary education and secondary education previous to the world of private practice.
I live in the Quispamsis area with my partner, two children, and five fur babies, and I understand firsthand the many unique challenges and rewards that come with working in this field. As we move forward together, I look forward to building a supportive and connected community of professionals to continue advancing our collective work.
I’d like to take a moment to share some important updates from the CCTNB Board of Directors regarding the ongoing work we’re doing to support our members and help strengthen the College.
Staffing and Support for Members
We are actively working to increase staffing hours at the College, which will allow us to provide better support to you, our members, while also easing the workload on our dedicated staff. We recognize the importance of timely responses and assistance, and this expansion will help us achieve that goal.
Appeal Committee
To address the increasing need for efficient, transparent, and cost-effective handling of member appeals, the Board is in the process of creating an appeals committee. This will allow us to manage basic appeal matters in-house, saving on legal fees and providing a more streamlined process.
Supervision Recruitment and Task Force
We have heard your feedback regarding the difficulty new members face in finding approved supervisors. To address this, we are actively recruiting supervisors and have established a supervision task force. This group will be working on updating all supervision documents and processes, as well as creating a comprehensive handbook to help new supervisors step into this critical role with confidence and clarity. Furthermore, the task force is focusing on providing ongoing support for supervisors to maintain a consistent and high-quality supervision experience for LCT-Cs, ensuring best practices and safety for the public.
Governance and Strategic Planning
As part of our ongoing efforts to strengthen the College, we are currently refining our governance structures and preparing for an upcoming meeting to develop a strategic plan. This plan will guide our growth and adaptation to the ever-changing mental health landscape, ensuring we continue to fulfill our mandate of protecting the public by upholding best practices, maintaining the highest ethical standards, and safeguarding the well-being of those who seek care from our members.
Your feedback is incredibly important to us as we work on these initiatives, and I encourage you to reach out with any comments, ideas, or concerns.
Thank you for your continued dedication and the invaluable work you do in our communities. I look forward to working with you all this year and beyond.
Warm regards,
Meredith Henry, LCT
President, College of Licensed Counselling Therapists of New Brunswick (CCTNB)
Spotting Scams
Spotting Scams
Spotting Scams
As licensed counselling therapists, we have a natural inclination and are also trained to help others. Unfortunately, the compassionate nature of counselling therapists often makes us targets for fraud. Here’s how you can protect yourself and your practice from common scams.
The Overpayment Cheque Scam: Beware of 'Too Good to Be True' Payments
Imagine this: A new client reaches out for an urgent session, perhaps even gifting you a heartfelt compliment about your services. When it’s time to pay, they send a cheque—but it’s over the agreed-upon amount. They might say, “I made a mistake; could you just wire the excess back to me?”
Here’s the catch: the cheque will bounce after you’ve already refunded the “excess,” leaving you to cover the shortfall. Scammers count on your goodwill and urgency to act before verifying the cheque with your bank.
How to protect yourself:
Always verify payments before providing services or issuing refunds.
Be cautious of anyone who pressures you to send money quickly.
Consider switching to secure, instant payment methods like credit cards or verified apps, which are harder to exploit.
Other Scams to Watch Out For
Phishing Emails
Look out for emails that claim to be from professional organizations or payment services. They might use legitimate-sounding language to trick you into clicking on links or providing sensitive information. Always double-check the sender's email address and avoid clicking on links unless you're certain of their legitimacy.
Fake Reviews or Marketing Services
Many therapists are approached by companies offering to “boost your practice with reviews or SEO.” While some services are legitimate, others take your money and vanish—or worse, post fake reviews that harm your credibility.
Protect Your Practice This Season
Stay Skeptical
If something feels off, trust your instincts. Take time to evaluate offers or requests before responding.
Educate Your Team
If you have colleagues or assistants, ensure they’re familiar with common scams and verification protocols.
Stay Informed
Scammers adapt their tactics regularly. Keep an eye on updates from trusted organizations, such as your licensing body or financial institutions.
By staying vigilant, you can keep your practice safe and focus on what truly matters: supporting your clients and building your practice.
Spotting Scams
Working Interprovincially and Internationally as a Counselling Therapist: Key Considerations
As Licensed Counselling Therapists (LCTs) increasingly expand their practice interprovincially and internationally, it is essential to navigate the associated regulatory and professional requirements effectively. Below is a summary of best practices and key considerations to ensure compliance and protect both therapists and clients.
1. Check with Your Insurance Provider
Before providing services across provincial or international borders, LCTs should first contact their professional liability insurance provider. Insurance policies often include stipulations about where services can be delivered. Verifying coverage for interprovincial or international practice ensures that you remain protected in case of any liability concerns.
2. Interprovincial Practice for Regulated Professionals
For LCTs practicing interprovincially, it is essential to comply with the regulatory standards of the province where the client resides. If you are currently registered in one regulated province, and your client resides/is moving to another regulated province, you can work with that client without additional credentialling from that regulated body (https://www.ccpa-accp.ca/inter-provincial-practice/).
3. Considerations for International Practice
Providing counselling therapy to clients residing outside of Canada presents unique challenges. Most professional liability insurance policies do not extend coverage for international services, and laws regarding mental health practice vary widely by country.
LCTs must research the legal and regulatory requirements in the client’s country of residence, including any licensure or accreditation requirements, to ensure compliance with local laws. If international practice is permitted, confirm the scope of your insurance coverage and whether additional documentation or credentials are required.
Summary
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Insurance First: Always check with your insurance provider to confirm whether interprovincial or international services are covered.
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Regulated Practice: Adhere to the regulatory standards of the province where your client resides, including temporary permits or registrations where applicable.
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International Considerations: International practice is typically not covered by insurance and may require compliance with foreign regulations. Proceed with caution and thorough preparation.
By taking these steps, Licensed Counselling Therapists can confidently expand their practice while safeguarding their clients and professional standing.