Filing a Complaint
Watch the video tutorial NSCCT Complaints
The Nova Scotia College of Counselling Therapy (NSCCT) is the public-interest regulator for Registered Counselling Therapists (RCTs) and Registered Counselling Therapist Candidates (RCT-Cs) in the Province. NSCCT registers and licenses counselling therapists, and is mandated by the Counselling Therapists Act and the Counselling Therapist Regulations to accept, investigate and adjudicated complaints brought forward against a registrant of the College by:
- A client
- A fellow registrant
- Another health professional
- Any member of the public
- An organization or employer
- The Executive Director/Registrar of the College
A COMPLAINT is an expression of concern about the conduct or actions of a Registered Counselling Therapist (RCT) or a Registered Counselling Therapist-Candidate (RCT-C) related to the care provided or other aspects of the professional counselling relationship or behaviour expected of a counselling therapist. Complaints often allege that the Counselling Therapist did not meet the standards expected by the College, other members of the profession or the public.
The Complaints Committee reviews complaints about:
- Professional Misconduct
- Incapacity
- Incompetence
- Conduct Unbecoming the Profession
Note: It is not your responsibility to determine which category your complaint falls under. This will be done by the registrar and/or the Chair of the Complaints Committee.
You can SUBMIT A COMPLAINT by filling out the Complaint Form which asks you to provide the following information:
- Your name, address, phone number and email
- Name of the counselling therapist (if known) against whom you are filing the complaint
(if you have a complaint against more than one therapist, you must fill out a separate complaint form for each person identified in the complaint) - Date and description of the event or events
- Name and contact information of any witnesses (if known)
- Copies of any documents or other evidence supporting the complaint
Note: You can also submit a complaint on behalf of another person with their authorization, or for a person for which you hold Power of Attorney. A complaint can also be filed on behalf of a deceased person.
In some cases, MORE THAN ONE HEALTH PROFESSION may be involved in a complaint. When this occurs, the College can assist you in the process of filing a complaint with more than one regulatory body at the same time by contacting Executive Director & Registrar.
The Counselling Therapists Act requires strict CONFIDENTIALITY by the College as well as by the complainant and the respondent throughout the process except as required by the College to conduct a fair and transparent investigation and review of the complaint.
Section 42(1) of the Act, states:
“All complaints received or under investigation, all information gathered in the course of the professional conduct process and all proceedings and decisions of the Complaints Committee and the Professional Conduct Committee that are not open to or available to the public in accordance with this Act or the regulations must be kept confidential by the person or persons who possess such information.”
Specific exceptions include:
- Information shared with the respondent or their legal representative
- Notification of other health professions regulators
- Notification of possible criminal activity to law enforcement agencies
- Such other disclosure consistent with the College’s obligation to protect the public
Please note that there is NO FEE for filling a complaint with the College.
It is NEVER TOO LATE to file a complaint. Although it is always better to file a complaint close to when the events occurred (evidence is easier to gather, memories are clearer), there is no legal time-frame in which a complaint must be filed.
IF YOU ARE UNCERTAIN whether a concern you have is grounds for a complaint, please contact the Executive Director & Registrar for advice. Contacting the College to ask questions or to seek guidance does not mean you are filing a complaint. Complaints must be submitted in writing. All inquiries are kept confidential. If your complaint involves more than one health care provider, the College will help you to connect with the right resources. If you require assistance in filling out the Complaint Form, or with any other aspect of filing a complaint, please contact the Administrative Coordinator.