Introduction
On March 26, 2024, I achieved a significant professional milestone by becoming a Registered Counselling Therapist (RCT) with the Nova Scotia College of Counselling Therapists (NSCCT). This accomplishment represents more than the completion of rigorous academic and clinical standards; it reflects my ongoing commitment to providing safe, ethical, and inclusive mental health care to trans*, nonbinary, and queer communities.
The NSCCT’s role in protecting the public and regulating the counselling therapy profession in Nova Scotia is guided by The Counselling Therapists Act, which ensures that all Registered Counselling Therapists meet the highest standards of care. As an RCT, I join over 650 counsellors who work throughout Nova Scotia to provide competent and ethical mental health services.
In this post, I invite you to learn more about what becoming an RCT means for my practice, how this designation expands my ability to serve clients across Canada, and how my approach to therapy remains grounded in an anti-oppressive and trauma-informed framework.
What It Means to Be a Registered Counselling Therapist (RCT)
Becoming an RCT is not simply a formal title—it is a reflection of years of dedication to professional development and ethical practice. The NSCCT’s mission is to regulate the profession of counselling therapy exclusively in the public interest, ensuring that individuals who seek counselling services receive safe, competent, and compassionate care. Like the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO), the NSCCT’s mandate prioritizes public protection, the integrity of the profession, and transparency in its processes (NSCCT, 2020).
As an RCT, I adhere to strict professional and ethical standards, including the NSCCT’s Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. This ensures that I am meeting the highest level of accountability in providing therapy, and I am committed to continuous learning and development to better serve my clients (CCPA, 2020).
The RCT designation also includes “title protection,” which ensures that only licensed professionals can use the title “Registered Counselling Therapist” or offer “counselling therapy” services. This protects the public from unqualified individuals and ensures that clients can trust they are receiving care from a professional who has met all necessary standards.
Online Therapy: Expanding My Reach Across Canada
One of the most exciting aspects of becoming an RCT is the opportunity to expand my online therapy practice to serve clients throughout Nova Scotia. With the rise of telementalhealth, I can offer my services beyond physical borders, making counselling therapy accessible to those who may live in rural or underserved areas.
Virtual therapy has become an essential tool in expanding access to care, particularly for trans*, nonbinary, and queer clients who may feel safer accessing therapy from the privacy of their own homes. Research supports the effectiveness of online therapy in building meaningful therapeutic relationships and achieving positive outcomes (Weinberg & Rolnick, 2020). Whether it’s individual talk therapy, group sessions, or art therapy, online therapy allows me to provide the same level of care and connection as in-person sessions while eliminating barriers like geography or transportation.
In my practice, online therapy has proven to be especially beneficial for clients working through gender identity exploration or trauma. The flexibility of virtual therapy allows clients to engage in their healing process at their own pace, in a setting that feels safe and familiar.
Blending Talk Therapy and Art Therapy: A Complete Approach
As a Board Certified Art Therapist (RCAT, ATR-BC), I integrate art therapy into my practice alongside traditional talk therapy. This dual approach offers clients the freedom to express their thoughts and emotions through both verbal and non-verbal means, creating a therapeutic experience that is flexible and responsive to their unique needs.
For many clients—particularly those who have experienced trauma or systemic oppression—art therapy provides a safe space for expression when words feel inadequate or overwhelming. This modality is particularly meaningful for trans* and queer individuals, who often face challenges in articulating their feelings due to internalized shame or fear of judgment. Art therapy allows clients to externalize their experiences creatively, reclaiming agency over their narrative in a way that talk therapy alone may not offer (Wadeson, 2010).
By blending talk therapy and art therapy, I create a holistic healing process that meets clients wherever they are on their journey. Whether through creative expression or verbal exploration, my clients can engage in therapy in a way that feels most authentic and accessible to them.
Sensorimotor Psychotherapy: Addressing Trauma Through the Body
In addition to talk therapy and art therapy, I also incorporate Sensorimotor Psychotherapy into my practice. As a Certified Sensorimotor Psychotherapist, I am trained to work with the body’s responses to trauma, recognizing that trauma is not just an emotional or psychological experience but one that deeply impacts the body as well.
Sensorimotor Psychotherapy allows clients to access and process trauma through somatic awareness, helping them understand how their bodies hold on to past experiences. For trans* and queer individuals who have experienced systemic oppression, discrimination, or violence, this modality can be particularly powerful in addressing trauma stored in the body and promoting healing at a deeper level.
Serving Trans* and Queer Communities in Nova Scotia
As a trans* and queer therapist, my practice is rooted in the principles of gender-affirming care and anti-oppressive therapy. Becoming an RCT allows me to bring these values to my work with clients across Nova Scotia, providing a safe and inclusive space for individuals to explore their identities and heal from trauma.
Gender-affirming therapy is not just about supporting clients through transitions; it’s about creating a therapeutic environment where all aspects of a person’s identity are affirmed and celebrated. Many trans* and queer individuals face systemic barriers to mental health care, and my goal is to provide a space where these barriers are dismantled, and healing is made possible.
In my practice, I work with clients to unpack the impacts of societal transphobia, cisnormativity, and other forms of oppression. Together, we navigate the complexities of identity, build resilience, and reconnect with the joy and power that comes from living authentically (Chang, Singh, & Dickey, 2018).
The Future of Mental Health in Nova Scotia: A Publicly Funded System
In exciting news, Registered Counselling Therapists will soon be covered under the Provincial Addictions & Mental Health Funding Plan, allowing public funding for private psychologists, social workers, and RCTs. This change, expected in the 2024-2025 fiscal year, will make mental health care more accessible for Nova Scotians, allowing more individuals to receive the support they need.
As a Registered Counselling Therapist, this new funding model will enable me to serve a broader population, including those who may have faced financial barriers to accessing mental health services in the past. I am excited to see how this change will transform the mental health landscape in Nova Scotia and increase access to care for those who need it most.
What You Can Expect from My Practice
As an RCT, RCAT, and Certified Sensorimotor Psychotherapist, my practice is rooted in ethical, trauma-informed, and client-centered care. Whether through talk therapy, art therapy, or somatic work, I tailor my approach to meet the unique needs of each client, ensuring that their voices and experiences are at the center of the therapeutic process.
Clients can expect a therapeutic environment that is welcoming, compassionate, and affirming. My goal is to create a space where clients feel safe to explore their identities, process trauma, and build resilience. My practice is grounded in an anti-oppressive framework, recognizing the impact of systemic inequities on mental health and working to dismantle these barriers through inclusive and affirming care.
Conclusion
Becoming a Registered Counselling Therapist has opened new doors for me to serve clients across Nova Scotia and beyond. This accomplishment represents my commitment to providing accessible, affirming, and trauma-informed care to trans*, nonbinary, and queer individuals. As I move forward in this new chapter, I remain dedicated to creating safe spaces where clients can heal, grow, and rediscover their authentic selves.
Continue the Convo
If the ideas in this blog resonate with you, I warmly invite you to connect with me. Whether you’re a therapist seeking support in gender-affirming care, or someone navigating their gender identity and looking for compassionate therapy, I’m here to help. You may book individual therapy sessions or peer consultations online. Be sure to bookmark this blog for future insights, reflections, and updates.
References
Chang, S. C., Singh, A. A., & Dickey, L. M. (2018). A clinician’s guide to gender-affirming care: Working with transgender and gender nonconforming clients. New Harbinger Publications.
College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. (2020). Professional practice standards for Registered Psychotherapists.
Shapiro, R. (2020). Doing psychotherapy: A trauma and attachment-informed approach. W.W. Norton & Company.
Wadeson, H. (2010). Art psychotherapy. John Wiley & Sons.
Weinberg, H., & Rolnick, A. (2020). Theory and practice of online therapy: Internet-delivered interventions for individuals, groups, families, and organizations. Routledge.
Disclaimer: This blog offers general educational information and does not constitute professional advice or establish a therapist-client relationship. Please consult a healthcare provider for personalized guidance. Any decisions based on the content are the reader’s responsibility, and Clayre Sessoms Psychotherapy assumes no liability. All case studies are hypothetical with fictional names and do not reflect actual people. We prioritize your privacy and the confidentiality of all of our clients. We are committed to maintaining a safe, supportive space for 2SLGBTQIA+ community care.
