Job prospects Addictions Counsellor in Ontario

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as an "addictions counsellor" in Ontario or across Canada.

Job opportunities in Ontario

These outlooks were updated on November 29, 2023.

Prospects over the next 3 years

The employment outlook will be very good for Therapists in counselling and related specialized therapies (NOC 41301) in Ontario for the 2023-2025 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

• Employment growth will lead to several new positions.
• A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.
• There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

What Types of Employers Are Out There?

• More than one-third are employed in offices of other health practitioners
• Other key employers include, individual and family services, out-patient care centres, and hospitals
• Self employment

What are the Main Trends Affecting Employment?

• This occupational group includes therapists in different specializations; therefore employment prospects may vary among these professionals. For example:
  • Public sector investments in mental health-related services are expected to create job opportunities for therapists offering services for addiction treatment and prevention, and to children and youth
• The pandemic has increased the need for these supports

What Skills Do I Need to Succeed?

Professional and/or regulatory bodies associated with this occupational group include:

• The Canadian Association for Marriage and Family Therapy
• College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario.

Here are some key facts about Therapists in counselling and related specialized therapies in Ontario:

• Approximately 26,650 people work in this occupation.
• Therapists in counselling and related specialized therapies mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Ambulatory health care services (NAICS 621): 43%
  • Social assistance (NAICS 624): 30%
  • Hospitals (NAICS 622): 10%
  • Nursing and residential care facilities (NAICS 623): 7%
• The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
  • Full-time workers: 72% compared to 81% for all occupations
  • Part-time workers: 28% compared to 19% for all occupations
• 61% of therapists in counselling and related specialized therapies work all year, while 39% work only part of the year, compared to 63% and 37% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 44 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.
• 41% of therapists in counselling and related specialized therapies are self-employed compared to an average of 15% for all occupations.
• The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
  • Men: 17% compared to 52% for all occupations
  • Women: 83% compared to 48% for all occupations
• The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
  • no high school diploma: n/a
  • high school diploma or equivalent: n/a
  • apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a
  • college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: less than 5% compared to 22% for all occupations
  • bachelor's degree: 32% compared to 24% for all occupations
  • university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 68% compared to 13% for all occupations

Breakdown by region

Explore job prospects in Ontario by economic region.

Source Labour Market Information | Prospects Methodology

Labour market conditions over the next 10 years

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as an "addictions counsellor" Family, marriage and other related counsellors (NOC 41301) or across Canada.

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