Frequently Asked Questions

Career Counselling is a series of one-on-one sessions with a Career Counsellor that help you make decisions about which career to pursue or transition to. During your sessions, you will explore and identify your interests, values, skills and strengths, personality, and any important reality factors in your life, all of which relate closely to what careers you will find most fulfilling. Based on the results of this self-exploration process, you will uncover and research careers to identify and explore suitable career options. Once you have decided on your new career path, your Career Counsellor can also help you develop a transition plan and address any roadblocks so that you have a clear path forward.

Typically, Career Counselling takes 6 to 8 sessions to complete.

Please note that this is a general overview of Career Counselling. Our services are always tailored to your unique situation and are adapted and customized to meet your individual needs.

Career Coaching provides you with support and guidance if you are facing challenges in your career or current work situation. The goal of Career Coaching is to help you develop effective strategies to address and overcome your career-related concerns so that you can grow in your career and feel confident and fulfilled at work.

Clients typically book 4 or more Career Coaching sessions, with many continuing with ongoing coaching or maintenance sessions for added support. Your Career Counsellor can provide you with an estimate of the sessions you may need during your complimentary consultation.

Please note that this is a general overview of Career Coaching. Our services are always tailored to your unique situation and are adapted and customized to meet your individual needs.

Job Search Advising is a service for people who are clear about the career path they want to pursue but want help landing their ideal job. Job Search Advising focuses on the practical tools and strategies you need to navigate your job search and involves one-on-one sessions with a Job Search Advisor (not a Psychologist or Psychotherapist).

Common topics include:

• strategic job search support
• networking skills
• interview preparation
• personal branding
• resume and cover letter review
• LinkedIn help

Clients typically book 1 to 6 sessions of Job Search Advising, depending on their needs. Please note that we are not recruiters nor a job/employment centre, and do not apply for jobs on your behalf.

Our career development support is individually tailored to each client. We work with our clients one-on-one because, at Canada Career Counselling, we know that a “one-size-fits-all model” is not suitable to providing the best support to the unique career development and job search needs of each person.

We have the education, training, and credentials. Our team of career counsellors has Master’s or Ph.D.-level education in psychology and a broad range of business expertise. Since 2009, our team has helped thousands of Canadians make successful career transitions and overcome career-related challenges. We have the skills, experience, expertise, and the versatility to meet your specific needs.

Our approach is comprehensive. Our training in psychology and mental health allows us to effectively address and support you through the personal and emotional concerns associated with career transition and workplace challenges. These include, but are not limited to stress, anxiety, imposter syndrome, confidence, self-worth, motivation, and resilience. While the tactical steps of finding employment are important, at Canada Career Counselling, we know that emotional well-being is a necessary aspect of a smooth and successful transition.

We have a track record of success. Our materials, resources, and assessments have been successfully used and continuously improved since 2009. They are offered as part of the expert services we provide clients and allow us to deliver thorough, evidence-based support. More than 90% of our clients say they were “satisfied” or “very satisfied” with the support they received from Canada Career Counselling.

Canada Career Counselling offers daytime, evening, and Saturday appointments. Specific Counsellor or Advisor availability varies by location and team member. Please contact our administrative team and we will connect you with a practitioner whose schedule best meets your needs.

Sessions are typically 50 minutes. Longer appointments may be requested.

We are a private organization and provide hourly, fee-based services. Our rates vary depending on the Counsellor or Advisor you work with.

Any applicable assessments, materials, and letters/forms are billed separately.

Please note fees for seeing a Registered Psychologist, Psychotherapist, or Clinical Counsellor may be reimbursed by your extended health care/benefits plan.

The number of counselling sessions needed varies based on the individual needs and personal goals of each client. Career Counselling typically involves a minimum of 6-8 sessions, while Career Coaching and Job Search Advising session numbers vary.

Your Counsellor or Advisor can provide you with an estimate of the number of sessions you may need during a complimentary consultation call.

Our Career Counselling and Career Coaching sessions are booked with Registered Psychologists, Psychotherapists, and Counselling Therapists, which are typically covered (or partially covered) by extended health care benefits.

To confirm if you have coverage and to determine the amount of coverage you have, please contact your benefits provider directly. You can inquire about your coverage to work with a “Registered Psychologist,” “Registered Psychotherapist,” “Registered Counselling Therapist,” “Registered Clinical Counsellor.” or “Canadian Certified Counsellor”. You can also look for words like “psychotherapy,” “counselling,” and “psychological testing/assessment” in your benefits package (note you will not find the words “career counselling” specifically in these plans).

While these services are often reimbursed by extended health plans, we do not direct bill to any health plan providers.

Our Job Search Advisors are experienced practitioners but are not Registered Psychologists or Psychotherapists, and therefore extended health care plans do not cover their services. If your employer offers a lifestyle spending allowance or similar, you may be able to have services reimbursed. Please contact your benefits provider or employer directly to confirm.

Yes, many of our clients choose to attend Career Counselling or Job Search Advising virtually, through secure online video conferencing. Clients can access their online appointments through their secure client portal. If you are interested in meeting with your Career Counsellor virtually, we recommend attending your online appointments from a quiet location, free from distraction.

Canada Career Counselling has offices located in Calgary, and Toronto.

Yes, you may choose to attend a combination of in-person and online Career Counselling or Job Search Advising sessions. Please let your Career Counsellor or our administrative team know your preference when you schedule your appointments.

Absolutely! Many of our clients are interested in exploring careers outside of their current industry. Our Career Counsellors and Job Search Advisors are knowledgeable about roles in a wide variety of fields and our assessments include career options across industries.

Some of the common industries our clients work in include:

• Finance, banking, financial services
• Healthcare
• IT and Technology
• Sales
• Consulting
• Construction and development
• Oil and gas
• Engineering
• Education
• Law
• Accounting
• Government (Federal, Provincial, and Municipal)
• Non-profit
• Marketing and Advertising
• Film and television
• Travel and tourism
• Hospitality
• Manufacturing

Canada Career Counselling works with a wide variety of clients, 16 – 65+. Our clients include:

• Early, mid, and seasoned career professionals
• Executives
• Employees
• Managers/leaders
• Contractors and consultants
• Entrepreneurs and sole proprietors
• High school, college, university, and trades students
• Stay-at-home parents and caregivers wanting to re-enter the workforce
• Individuals who have been laid off

Our Psychologists, Psychotherapists, and Registered Counselling Therapists are required by their regulatory bodies (e.g. the College of Psychologists of Ontario, the College of Alberta Psychologists) to provide session-by-session services. Our Job Search Advisors see clients session-by-session as well as offer package options, which may include discounts for multiple sessions. Please speak to our administrative team to learn more.

Canada Career Counselling has a 48-hour cancellation policy, within business hours. This policy is “respect based,” meaning consideration is taken for emergency situations and illness.

Current clients are able to book sessions online, through their online portal or by speaking with our administrative team by phone or email. Alternatively, many clients choose to book their next session directly with their Career Counsellor or Job Search Advisor at the end of each appointment.

Individuals or Organizations new to our services can reach out through our Contact Us Form or are welcome to call our administrative team.