Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association
CCPA is a national bilingual non-profit professional association founded in 1965 that certifies and serves over 13,000 counsellors and psychotherapists across Canada through its Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) and Canadian Certified Supervisor (CCS) credentials.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1965
- HeadquartersOttawa, Canada
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association does
The Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA) is a national bilingual (English/French) non-profit professional association founded in 1965 as the Canadian Guidance and Counselling Association (CGCA) and renamed in 2015. Headquartered at 202-245 Menten Place in Ottawa, the organization serves Canada's professional counsellor and psychotherapist workforce, with a stated membership base exceeding 13,000 individuals (including more than 2,000 student members) and more than 2,600 Canadian Certified Counsellors (CCCs) actively certified. CCPA operates as both a certifying body and a member services association, with revenue diversified across annual membership dues ($90 student, $155 guest, $195 professional, $280 certified professional), certification administration fees (CCC: $195 evaluation plus $85/year; CCS: $195 evaluation plus $45/year), advertising across a monthly newsletter and e-blasts reaching 18,000+ subscribers, conference registration (2026 Halifax event priced $75–$605), CEC application processing at $45 per application, and affiliate referral commissions from insurance brokerage partners.
CCPA's product surface consists of two primary professional credentials — the Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) and the Canadian Certified Supervisor (CCS) — supported by a portfolio of services including a members-only portal, the bilingual COGNICA quarterly publication, the peer-reviewed Canadian Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy (CJCP), CACEP-accredited university program recognition, an online public directory of certified practitioners, a trust-based Continuing Education Credits (CEC) system (36 credits per 3-year cycle), and a professional liability insurance program brokered through BMS Canada Risk Services. The technology layer is conventional: an online membership application portal, a CRM, a public-facing CCC directory, and CEC tracking — with TELUS eClaims integration enabling direct insurance billing for CCCs. Distribution is primarily direct through the national office, the public website (ccpa-accp.ca), the annual conference, and a student representative program embedded at Canadian universities.
The association's commercial moat is anchored in regulatory recognition: the CRA has formally confirmed that CCCs meet substantial equivalency standards for GST/HST exemption purposes in unregulated provinces, and CCPA's successful decade-long advocacy campaign culminated in Bill C-59 (June 2024) removing GST/HST nationally on counselling and psychotherapy services. The organization is pursuing further regulatory wins through active federal pre-budget submissions targeting NIHB, Jordan's Principle, the Canada Mental Health Transfer, and student loan forgiveness for rural practitioners. Partnerships span insurance carriers (BMS, HUB International, Perlinger, The Personal), technology providers (TELUS Health, Jane, Owl Practice, Click4Time, Therachat, GOrendezvous), continuing education vendors (MHA, Envision Workshops, Leading Edge Seminars, Queen's University CPD), and academic institutions (Acadia University), with joint membership agreements in place with PEICA-PCC and the Quebec Counselling Association.
Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association
- Legal name
- Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association
- Website
- https://ccpa-accp.ca
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1965
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- CCPA is a national bilingual non-profit professional association founded in 1965 that certifies and serves over 13,000 counsellors and psychotherapists across Canada through its Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) and Canadian Certified Supervisor (CCS) credentials.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Ottawa
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Professional Membership Dues: Annual membership fees ranging from $90 (student) to $195 (professional), providing access to certification, insurance programs, member benefits, publications, and the member portal.
- CCC Certification Fees: Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) certification at $280/year ($195 membership + $85 certification fee) with a $95 initial evaluation fee. CCS supervision certification at $195 evaluation fee plus $45 annual renewal.
- Advertising and Job Postings: Revenue from advertising in newsletters ($500 non-member / $250 member), e-blasts ($1,000 / $500), job postings and office space ($120 / $10), upcoming featured events, and COGNICA publication advertisements.
- Continuing Education Credits: CEC application processing at $45 per application, pre-accreditation evaluation at $50 per event, and conference registration fees providing revenue while fulfilling the professional development mandate.
- Conference Revenue: Annual conference registration fees ranging from $75 (student half-day early bird) to $605 (non-member late full conference), plus sponsorship revenue from exhibitors and sponsors.
- Insurance Brokerage Referrals: Partnership commissions from BMS Canada (professional liability), The Personal (home/auto), Perlinger (health/dental), and HUB International (group benefits) — providing exclusive rates to members while generating referral revenue.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Professional Member – Regular: $195/year with voting rights and insurance eligibility for regulated practitioners. |
| Subscription | Annual | Professional Member – Student: $90/year for enrolled undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, masters or doctoral students in counselling or related field. |
| Subscription | Annual | Professional Member – Retired: Free for retired voting members who held certified membership for one year prior to retirement. |
| Subscription | Annual | Professional Certified Member (CCC): $280/year ($195 membership + $85 certification fees) with $95 initial administration fee. |
| Subscription | Annual | Professional Certified Member – Student: $175/year ($90 membership + $85 certification fees) for post-masters students. |
| Subscription | Annual | Student Representative: Free membership for graduate students serving as CCPA student reps at their institutions. |
| Subscription | Annual | Guest Member – Individual or Association: $155/year for non-voting members with interest in CCPA's well-being. |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | 2026 Annual Conference: Full conference registration $450–$505 (member) or $550–$605 (non-member); $250–$305 (student/retired). |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Newsletter Advertising: $500 (non-member) / $250 (member) — sent monthly to 18,000+ subscribers every second Thursday. |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | E-Blast Advertising: $1,000 (non-member) / $500 (member) — sole advertisement in dedicated email to 18,000+ members. |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Job Postings / Office Space / Research Recruitment: $120 (non-member) / $10 (member) — displayed in Members-Only Portal for 2 months. |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | COGNICA Full Page Advertisement: $725 for 6x9 inch full page in the bilingual biannual publication. |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | CEC Application Processing: $45 per application (outside of audit). $50 per event for pre-accreditation evaluation. |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels9 records
Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association product offering
Product offeringCore offering
CCPA is a national bilingual professional association that certifies, advocates for, and serves practising counsellors and psychotherapists in Canada. Its primary commercial offerings are annual memberships, the Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) and Canadian Certified Supervisor (CCS) credentials, the Continuing Education Credits (CEC) program, the CACEP graduate-program accreditation, the annual conference, COGNICA and CJCP publications, and a brokered professional liability insurance program for members.
Product overview
The Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA) operates as a national bilingual professional organization offering a portfolio of certification, education, and member services for counselling and psychotherapy professionals in Canada. The core offering consists of two professional certification credentials: the Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) designation for qualified practitioners, and the Canadian Certified Supervisor (CCS) certification for clinical supervisors. CCPA also provides a comprehensive ecosystem of supporting services including a member portal platform, the COGNICA quarterly publication and Canadian Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy (CJCP), a Continuing Education Credits (CEC) tracking system, annual conferences, CACEP-accredited program recognition, an online CCC/CCS practitioner directory, professional liability insurance programs brokered through BMS, and an awards program recognizing excellence in the field. The organization is completing its transition to a trust-based CEC model with 36 credits required per 3-year certification period.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Professional Membership (Annual) Annual membership in the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association providing voting rights, eligibility for insurance programs, access to the member portal, CEC tracking, publications, and member benefits. Sold to individual practising counsellors, psychotherapists, students, retired members, and guests.
- Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) Certification National professional certification credential for qualified counselling and psychotherapy practitioners in Canada. Grants the CCC designation, inclusion in the public CCC directory, group professional liability insurance eligibility, legal advice helpline, and recognition by CRA for GST/HST exemption in unregulated provinces. $280/year ($195 membership + $85 certification fees) plus a $95 initial administration fee.
- Canadian Certified Supervisor (CCS) Certification Professional certification for clinical supervisors in counselling and psychotherapy. Recognizes the additional knowledge, competencies, and capacities required for supervisory practice beyond initial professional training. $195 evaluation fee plus $45 annual renewal.
- CCPA Annual Conference National annual conference providing professional development, CECs, networking, and keynote sessions. Registration ranges from $75 (student half-day early bird) to $605 (non-member late full conference), with pre-conference full day $200–$290 and featured keynote speakers. Includes exhibits and sponsorship opportunities for third parties.
- CACEP Accreditation of Graduate Counselling Programs Council on Accreditation of Counsellor Education Programs (CACEP) evaluates and accredits master's-level graduate counselling education programs. Graduates from CACEP-accredited programs receive expedited CCC certification. Sold to universities and graduate schools.
- Professional Liability Insurance Program Comprehensive insurance solutions for counsellors, counselling therapists, and psychotherapists across Canada, brokered through BMS Canada Risk Services Ltd. Group professional liability insurance with exclusive rates for CCCs and CCSs, plus pandemic-related virtual care coverage and home/auto, health/dental, life, AD&D, and EAP options. Generates referral commission revenue for CCPA.
- COGNICA Publication Bilingual quarterly publication of CCPA dedicated to keeping members informed about current trends in counselling in Canada. Full-page advertising at $725 per 6x9 inch page in the biannual publication.
- Canadian Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy (CJCP) Quarterly peer-reviewed journal published by CCPA providing members with up-to-date information on counselling research, innovative practices, and book reviews. Distributed to members via the member portal.
- CCPA Newsletter (Monthly E-Newsletter and E-Blasts) Monthly broadcast email newsletter containing CCPA updates and third-party advertisements, with advertising slots at $500 non-member / $250 member (newsletter) and $1,000 / $500 (e-blast sole advertisement). Sold to third-party advertisers and sponsors.
- EDUCATION 5553 – Counselling Supervision Course (Acadia University) 3-credit fully online master's-level graduate course in counselling supervision offered in partnership with Acadia University's School of Counselling. CCPA reviews and approves eligible participants who must hold CCC designation. Co-developed educational offering.
- CCC/CCS Public Directory (Find a Counsellor) Public-facing online search engine to help Canadians find Canadian Certified Counsellors (CCC) and Canadian Certified Supervisors (CCS) for counselling and psychotherapy services, with filtering by location, specialization, and availability. Free service to the public that supports the visibility of certified members.
Quantifiable outcome
- GST/HST exemption secured for counselling and psychotherapy services nationally through Bill C-59 (June 2024), removing tax burden for clients and simplifying billing for practitioners.
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
26 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- BMS Canada Risk Services Ltd. (BMS)coreBMS is CCPA's preferred insurance broker providing group professional liability insurance to CCPA members. Offers exclusive rates for CCCs and CCSs, with special pandemic-related virtual care coverage. Also provides interim insurance for graduates transitioning to professional practice.
- The Personal (Insurance)minorHome and auto insurance provider offering exclusive group rates to CCPA members through a partnership agreement.
- Perlinger Group BenefitsminorHealth and dental benefit plans available to CCPA members and their families through Perlinger Group Benefits.
- HUB InternationalcoreHUB International offers CCPA members exclusive group rates on Basic Life Insurance, Accidental Death and Dismemberment, and Extended Health Care including an Employee Assistance Program and Teladoc Medical Experts referral and second opinion services.
- Prince Edward Island Counselling Association – Psychotherapist Counselling Chapter (PEICA-PCC)minorJoint membership available between CCPA and PEICA-PCC. Members must hold CCC certification to apply for the joint CCPA-PEICA membership.
- Quebec Counselling Association (QCA)minorJoint membership available between CCPA and the Quebec Counselling Association for counselling professionals in Quebec.
- Acadia University School of CounsellingcoreCCPA partners with Acadia University to sponsor the graduate course EDUCATION 5553: Counselling Supervision – Theory and Practice. This 3-credit, fully online master's-level course runs Fall 2026 (Sept 8 – Dec 18). CCPA reviews and approves eligible participants who must hold CCC designation.
- COMPASS Centre for Examination DevelopmentminorPartner organization providing examination development services referenced on CCPA's certification and accreditation pages.
- College of Counselling Therapists of New Brunswick (CCTNB)coreCCTNB collaborated with CCPA and CRPO to provide the letter accepted by CRA confirming that CCCs meet substantial equivalency standards for GST/HST exemption purposes in unregulated provinces.
- College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO)coreCRPO collaborated with CCPA and CCTNB to provide the letter accepted by CRA confirming that CCCs meet substantial equivalency standards for GST/HST exemption purposes when compared to Registered Psychotherapists in Ontario.
- Holistic Business AdvisorsminorPartnered with CCPA to host the Tax-Free Therapy: Navigating the New Legislation for Counsellors webinar, providing members essential guidance on GST/HST changes and business optimization.
- Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health (CAMIMH)coreCCPA is a member of CAMIMH, a coalition of 65+ organizations calling on the federal government to establish the Canada Mental Health Transfer. CCPA participates in joint press releases and awareness campaigns.
- Mental Health Commission of CanadaminorCCPA receives news releases from the Mental Health Commission of Canada and supports its initiatives on mental health policy and awareness.
- TELUS Health (eClaims)coreCCPA members can now use TELUS eClaims for direct billing, enabling seamless insurance claims processing for counselling and psychotherapy services.
- Mental Health Academy (MHA)minorMHA is a leading provider of online continuing education for mental health professionals. MHA courses are pre-approved for CCPA CECs. Partner page includes MHA courses and workshops promoted on CCPA website.
- Envision WorkshopsminorOnline workshops for mental health therapists, social workers, clinical counsellors, and psychologists. Pre-approved for CCPA CECs. Offers exclusive discounts to CCPA members.
- Queen's University (Continuing Professional Development)minorQueen's University offers an 8-module on-demand CPD course on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) promoted through CCPA member benefits.
- Leading Edge SeminarsminorFounded in 1983, Leading Edge Seminars is one of Canada's premier providers of continuing education for mental health professionals, offering exclusive discounts to CCPA members.
- GoodLife FitnessminorCCPA members can join the GoodLife Fitness Corporate Program with a membership discount through this partnership.
- Lord Elgin HotelminorDowntown Ottawa luxury hotel near Rideau Canal, Shaw Centre and Parliament Hill offering CCPA members preferred rates.
- TheralistminorTherapist directory platform for members to showcase expertise. CCPA members get 50% off first year's subscription.
- Fearless PracticeminorBusiness support services for Canadian therapists starting their own private practice, offered as a member benefit.
- Psychology TodayminorWorld's largest mental health destination online. CCPA members receive marketing exposure through this platform as a member benefit.
- Sand Trays Etc.minorSupplier of sandtrays and rolling carts for therapists and mental health professionals. Member benefit for CCPA practitioners.
- Canadian International Institute of Applied Negotiation (CIIAN)minorOrganization dedicated to conflict prevention and resolution. CCPA members receive discounts through the member benefits program.
- Leader FramesminorSupplier of customized Canadian-made sustainable certificate frames bearing the CCPA logo for CCC/CCS members.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional players
- College of Counselling Therapists of New Brunswick (CCTNB): New Brunswick's regulatory college for licensed counselling therapists. Comparable to CCPA as a professional credentialing body for the same population, and collaborates with CCPA on substantial equivalency for GST/HST exemption purposes.
- College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO): Ontario's provincial regulatory college for psychotherapists. Comparable to CCPA as a credentialing body but operates as a government-mandated regulator with legal authority over title and practice in Ontario. Collaborates with CCPA on substantial equivalency for the CCC designation.
Direct peers
- Australian Counselling Association (ACA): Australia's largest professional association for counsellors, providing membership, certification, continuing professional development, and insurance. Comparable to CCPA in serving a single national market with a multi-tier membership structure and credentialing function.
- British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP): The UK's largest professional body for counselling and psychotherapy, with a similar chartered-status approach to CCPA's national credentialing. Operates an accredited register, registers members, and provides professional standards, insurance, and advocacy — closely mirroring CCPA's structure and value proposition.
- American Counseling Association: The largest professional association for counsellors in the US, founded in 1952. Directly comparable to CCPA as a national membership organization providing professional standards, certification, advocacy, and continuing education for counsellors, with a similar portfolio of credentials, publications, and annual conferences.
- National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC): US-based credentialing body that administers the National Certified Counselor (NCC) credential, with continuing education and certification operations. Directly comparable to CCPA's CCC certification function and continuing education credit tracking system.
Broad incumbents
- Canadian Psychological Association: Canada's national professional association for psychologists, a broader incumbent in the mental health space. Comparable to CCPA in providing national advocacy, accreditation, and member services, but serves a regulated profession with formal provincial regulatory colleges.
- Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA): Nationwide non-profit providing mental health advocacy, education, and direct service delivery across Canada. Comparable to CCPA in national advocacy role and CAMIMH coalition membership, but operates as a broader mental health organization rather than a profession-specific association.
Emerging players
- Mental Health Commission of Canada: Federally funded non-profit leading Canada's mental health policy agenda. Comparable to CCPA in driving national mental health policy reform, including the Canada Mental Health Transfer initiative that CCPA actively advocates for; partnership signals policy alignment.
- American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT): US professional association for marriage and family therapists with similar membership, certification, and continuing education operations. Comparable to CCPA as a specialty professional association, though narrower in scope to MFT practice.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association social profiles
Digital presenceCanadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association
What does Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association do?
CCPA is a national bilingual professional association that certifies, advocates for, and serves practising counsellors and psychotherapists in Canada. Its primary commercial offerings are annual memberships, the Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) and Canadian Certified Supervisor (CCS) credentials, the Continuing Education Credits (CEC) program, the CACEP graduate-program accreditation, the annual conference, COGNICA and CJCP publications, and a brokered professional liability insurance program for members.
Is Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association a public or private company?
Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association founded?
Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association was founded in 1965. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association based?
Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association is headquartered in Ottawa, Canada, in the North America region.
How does Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Professional Membership Dues are the primary driver. The others are CCC Certification Fees, advertising and Job Postings, continuing Education Credits, conference Revenue and insurance Brokerage Referrals.
Who are Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association's main competitors?
Regional players on record are College of Counselling Therapists of New Brunswick (CCTNB) and College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). Direct peers are Australian Counselling Association (ACA), British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), American Counseling Association and National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC). Broad incumbents are Canadian Psychological Association and Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA). Emerging players are Mental Health Commission of Canada and American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT).
Does Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association have an API?
No public API is recorded for Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association.