What is a guidance counseling process ?
Guidance counsellors support clients throughout a career counselling process that is tailored to their unique needs.
There is no predetermined number of sessions, as every individual's goals, circumstances, and needs are different.
A guidance counselling process generally unfolds in three stages: Exploration, Understanding, and Action.
This intervention model is not strictly linear. Throughout the career counselling process, it is always possible to revisit an earlier stage as new insights emerge or circumstances change.
Under Bill 21, the professional scope of practice of career counsellors is to:
Assess psychological functioning, personal resources, and environmental conditions; intervene with respect to identity; and develop and maintain active coping strategies in order to facilitate personal and career choices throughout their lifespan, restore socio-occupational autonomy, and support the achievement of career goals within the context of the person's interaction with their environment.
Information on guidance counseling
Introduction to the guidnce counselling profession
Guidance counsellors (CCs) are professionals in helping relationships, career counselling, and career development who practice in the fields of mental health and human relations (OCCOQ, 2026).
Guidance counsellors possess the expertise required to assess and intervene with respect to (Guide d’évaluation en orientation, 2010) :
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The client's request for help or presenting issue;
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Psychological functioning, including interests, aptitudes, and cognitive and emotional functioning, while taking into account the person's mental health status, including suicidal and homicidal risk;
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Typical and atypical psychological functioning, considering psychological, social, and physical dimensions;
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The issues affecting the interaction between individuals and their environment;
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The resources and limitations of the individual's environment;
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The overall situation, based on appropriate theoretical knowledge and professional practice.
In addition, guidance counsellors must be members of the Ordre des conseillers et conseillères d'orientation du Québec (OCCOQ) in order to practise activities reserved to the profession. They are also required to comply with the rigorous standards established by the OCCOQ Code of Ethics.
Contrary to popular belief, guidance counsellors do not work exclusively with adolescents in secondary schools. They practise in a wide variety of settings, including:
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Education: Secondary schools, adult education centres, vocational training centres, CEGEPs, private colleges, and universities.
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Employment and Workforce Development: Youth employment centres, job search clubs, specialized employment services, placement agencies, social integration enterprises, and related organizations.
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Organizational Settings: Private companies, public and parapublic organizations, non-profit organizations, and consulting firms.
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Rehabilitation and Mental Health: Rehabilitation centres, university mental health institutes, CNESST, SAAQ, insurance companies (Employee Assistance Programs), and community organizations providing specialized rehabilitation services.
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Private Practice: Individual career counselling services and organizational consulting services provided by career counsellors in private practice.