WestCanCDA - Career Counselling for Career Development Practitioners

Career Counselling in Practice

Professional Certificate in Career Counselling

The Western Canada Career Development Association (WestCanCDA) is pleased to introduce this immersive two-day professional certificate course designed for career development practitioners working as career advisors, educators, employment counsellors, career practitioners etc.

This interactive learning experience strengthens your ability to support individuals navigating career transitions, employment challenges, and complex life circumstances through an intentional, human-centred counselling approach. Participants will deepen their use-of-self as practitioners while developing practical strategies that can be immediately applied in their work.

Through facilitated discussions, reflective practice, small-group consultation, case studies, live demonstrations, and collaborative problem solving, you will strengthen your assessment, counselling, and intervention skills. Together, we will explore holistic approaches that build client resilience, foster meaningful career development conversations, and enhance your confidence in supporting individuals through change with empathy, professionalism, and purpose.

Professional Certificate in Career Counselling - Course Details:

Pricing: Non Members - $750 | Members - $250 (lunch and refreshments included)

Become a member to take advantage of our member pricing. Click here to start your application.

Day 1: Professional & Ethical Conduct in Career Counselling Practice

What You Will Learn:

• Navigate Boundaries: Master the line between advising, counselling, and client education while building a strong client-practitioner alliance.

• Manage Personal Disclosures: Gain concrete strategies to professionally pause, assess, and safely resume sessions during unexpected mental health disclosures.

• Reflect on Your Scope: Critically evaluate your service delivery, organizational limits, and ethical boundaries to avoid encouraging disclosures outside your expertise.

Interactive Learning:

• Collaborative Case Analysis: Examine diverse case studies in small groups to identify emotional responses, assess boundary risks, and define practice scopes.

• Skills Simulation: Participate in a "Counsellor-Client-Witness" live roleplay with the facilitator to test your applied learning and receive peer feedback.

Day 2: The Self and Effective Career Counselling

What You Will Learn:

• Differentiate Advising vs. Counselling: Use career development theories to navigate complex transitions like unemployment without mislabeling normal career anxiety as a clinical disorder.

• Boost Client Autonomy: Master strengths-based tools that enhance client independence and well-being.

• Protect Your Practice: Learn ethical documentation strategies for case notes to support your asessments, while managing personal blind spots and emotional regulation.

Interactive Learning:

• Theoretical Breakdown: Map career development stages to practical, real-world job-search solutions in collaborative small groups.

• Applied Demonstration: Engage in a second "Counsellor-Client-Witness" simulation to refine your practical strategies for safe, high-efficacy practice.

Certification Requirements

Ideal registrants should have 2 to 3 years of direct client advising/counselling experience. To successfully earn your professional development certificate, participants must complete the following milestones:

• Prerequisite Reading: Complete a comprehensive review of all foundational literature provided by the Facilitator/Trainer prior to the start of the program.

• Active Engagement: Fully participate in all small-group collaborative case analyses and theoretical breakdowns across both days.

• Applied Practice: Engage as an active participant or structured observer in the live "Counsellor-Client-Witness" skills simulations.

• Critical Reflection: Complete the guided self-reflection modules regarding scope of practice, ethical inquiry, and emotional regulation.

Upcoming Dates and Registration

Session 1: Calgary, AB

Date: September 28–29, 2026

Time: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Venue: To Be Announced

Session 2: Edmonton, AB

Date: October 5–6, 2026

Time: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Venue: To Be Announced

Session 3: Red Deer, AB

Date: October 8-9, 2026

Time: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Venue: To Be Announced

Trainer & Facilitator

For this new certificate program, WCCDA is pleased to collaborate with Sonny Wong, whose previous sessions with our members have been exceptionally well received. Based on the positive feedback from past participants, we are excited to bring Sonny back to lead this immersive learning experience.

Sonny is a Registered Psychotherapist specializing in career-focused counselling, with extensive experience supporting individuals through career transitions, professional identity development, and complex career-life challenges. An internationally recognized trainer, keynote speaker, and educator, he brings a thoughtful, evidence-informed approach to practitioner development and client-centred practice.

Passionate about advancing the career development profession, Sonny helps Career Development Practitioners (CDPs) strengthen their counselling skills through reflective practice, ethical decision-making, and the intentional use of self. By combining counselling frameworks with career development theory and practical application, he equips practitioners with tools they can confidently integrate into their everyday work.

Participants can expect an engaging, collaborative learning environment that encourages reflection, discussion, and the practical application of new skills to support clients with confidence and care.

*Please note that while it provides valuable tools for supporting clients through career changes, it is not a mental health counselling certification. Certification of Completion is issued by the WCCDA.

Subscribe to our newsletter

Calendar of Events

Google Sites

Report abuse