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Last DoorContinuing Education
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Basic Counselling Skills
Introductory

Basic Counselling Skills

This practical course teaches core counselling techniques—active listening, empathy, open questions, reflection, rapport-building, brief motivational interviewing, trauma‑informed practice, cultural safety, boundary setting, crisis de‑escalation and ethical documentation—specifically for Canadian counsellors and healthcare workers in addiction/recovery. Participants leave able to engage clients more effectively, conduct focused assessments, create safety plans, document sessions and make timely referrals.

Lifetime accessCertificate of completion16 lessonsMobile & desktop
Motivational InterviewingTrauma-Informed CareCommunicationCounselling SkillsCultural CompetencyAssessment & ScreeningCrisis InterventionDocumentation & Ethics
Basic Counselling Skills
$60CAD
6 CEU hrs

What you'll learn

Apply core micro-skills (attending, active listening, empathy, open questions, reflection and summarizing) to improve engagement and rapport.
Use brief motivational interviewing (OARS, eliciting change talk) in short contacts to support readiness for change.
Conduct focused, person-centred screening and brief assessments to identify substance use, co-occurring concerns and immediate risks.
Design and document practical safety plans (overdose, suicide, intimate partner violence) and know when to escalate to crisis services.

Professional Recognition

CACCF - Canadian Addiction Counsellors Certification Federation - Approved CEU Provider

Approved for 6 Continuing Education Hours from The CACCF

Eligible for professional development credit with:

CRPOCollege of Registered Psychotherapists of OntarioBCACCBC Association of Clinical CounsellorsOCSWSSWOntario College of Social Workers and Social Service WorkersBCCSWBC College of Social WorkersACSWAlberta College of Social WorkersCNOCollege of Nurses of OntarioBCCNMBC College of Nurses and MidwivesCRNACollege of Registered Nurses of AlbertaIC&RCInternational Certification & Reciprocity Consortium
Disclaimer
These bodies use self-directed professional development models and do not pre-approve CE providers or courses. Registrants are responsible for determining whether activities align with their individual learning goals. Certificate of completion provided for your professional development records.
Implement trauma- and violence-informed practice and culturally safe approaches for Indigenous and diverse populations.
Use evidence-based crisis de-escalation techniques and decide when to initiate emergency responses or warm handovers.
Apply Canadian legal and ethical principles for consent, confidentiality, mandated reporting, and secure record-keeping (PIPEDA/provincial frameworks) in session documentation.
Create effective referral plans and perform timely, culturally safe warm handovers to community, provincial and Indigenous-led resources.
Maintain professional boundaries, access supervision, and apply self-care strategies to reduce vicarious trauma.

Requirements

  • No formal prerequisites; recommended basic familiarity with working in health or social services.
  • Device with internet, microphone and camera (for paired role-plays and group exercises) or in-person practice partner.
  • Recommended pre-reading (optional): CCSA Technical & Behavioural Competencies (2023), CCPA Code of Ethics & Standards (2020/2021), provincial TIP guidance (e.g., BC TIP Guide) and San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety resources.
  • This workshop supports skills development but is not a substitute for supervised clinical training or professional licensure—practise within your local scope and regulations.

Who this course is for

  • Front-line counsellors and therapists working in addiction/recovery settings in Canada
  • Healthcare workers (nurses, primary care staff) who support clients with substance use
  • Peer support workers, outreach and harm-reduction staff
  • Social workers, case managers and community health nurses
  • Volunteers and staff in shelters, crisis centres and community addiction programs

Course Content

4 sections • 16 lessons • 6 hours total length

About this course

This practical course teaches core counselling techniques—active listening, empathy, open questions, reflection, rapport-building, brief motivational interviewing, trauma‑informed practice, cultural safety, boundary setting, crisis de‑escalation and ethical documentation—specifically for Canadian counsellors and healthcare workers in addiction/recovery. Participants leave able to engage clients more effectively, conduct focused assessments, create safety plans, document sessions and make timely referrals.