MEMBERSHIP
Memberships
We offer two types of membership—Professional and General—to reflect the different ways people engage with and support our work. All members are part of one shared community, united by a commitment to high-quality spiritual care.
Professional Membership
For individuals engaged in spiritual care, psychospiritual therapy, education, supervision, or closely related professional practice. All Professional Memberships are eligible to access our comprehensive liability, general commercial and property insurance. We make every effort to keep these rates as low as possible – with the best coverage.
Student Member
$100/year
(with optional insurance $100 + $145 = $245
For individuals currently enrolled as CASC/ACSS students in a Supervised Psychospiritual Education (SPE) unit (Foundational, Integrative, or Contextual) in either the CPE or PTE stream. Student membership is valid for the year of enrolment.
Affiliate Member
$350/year
(with optional insurance $275 = $625
For professionals such as counsellors, coaches, spiritual directors, knowledge keepers, elders, healers or clergy who provide spiritual or psychospiritual care within their own recognized scope of practice. Affiliate Members are trained and credentialed through accredited or recognized programs but are not currently pursuing CASC/ACSS certification.
Formational Member
$350/year
(with optional insurance $275 = $625
For individuals who have completed at least one unit of Supervised Psychospiritual Education (SPE) and are actively developing their professional practice while working toward the Foundational or Integrative levels of training.
Qualifying Member
$350/year
(with optional insurance $275 = $625
For individuals who have completed the Integrative level of training and are actively working toward full professional certification. Qualifying status may be held for up to three years while certification requirements are completed.
Certified Member
$350/year
(with optional insurance $275 = $625
For individuals who hold formal professional certification through CASC/ACSS, including Spiritual Care Practitioners, Psychospiritual Therapists, Supervisor-Educators, and Dual-Certified members.
Emeritus Member (regular)
FREE
For retired Spiritual Care Practitioner or Psychospiritual Therapist.
Emeritus Member (Certified)
FREE
For retired Spiritual Care Practitioner or Psychospiritual Therapist.
General Membership
General members are considered supporters of CASC/ACSS and do not have access to the Member’s Portal, CASC/ACSS insurance rates and other member benefits.
Colleague (Individual Supporter)
$50/year
For individuals who value our work and wish to support it through connection, advocacy, and engagement.
Corporate Member
$250/year
For businesses and private-sector organizations that support our mission through sponsorship, partnership, or strategic collaboration.
Community Partner
FREE
For organizations and community groups that collaborate with us to advance shared goals through partnership, advocacy, and joint initiatives.
Institutional & Accredited Partner
FREE
For universities, colleges, hospitals, health authorities, and other organizations that collaborate with us in education, training, or accredited practice.
Membership benefits
These benefits are available to the Members of our unique association. May our diversity continue to be a source of strength and encouragement to all.
- Financial
- Access to Research Grants and Student Bursaries from The Foundation to members experiencing financial difficulty.
- Access to peer review and consultation from the top professionals in the country.
- Special rates each year to the CASC/ACSS National Conference.
- Special rates for regional meetings and educational opportunities.
- A FREE electronic subscription to The Journal of Pastoral Care & Counseling.
- Official representation on the Board of Managers of The Journal of Pastoral Care Publications, Inc.
- Official representation on Canadian Council on Health Services Accreditation (CCHSA).
- Official representation to Canadian Hospice Palliative Care. Association (CHPCA) and on Quality End of Life Care Coalition Canada (QELCCC).
- Support & Resources
- Support of verified Competencies and Scope of Practice.
- Support of a strong advocacy for advancing and promoting our profession.
- Support and protection of nationally recognized Standards of Certification, Standards of Accreditation, Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct.
- Greater security and reduced risk for prospective and current employers due to Member accountability through regular peer review and grievance processes.
- Professional
- Gain access to communities of practice, continuing education and workshops that will improve your professional skills.
- Demonstrate a high level of professionalism, commitment to ethical practice and credibility in the discipline of Spiritual Care/Psychospiritual Therapy.
- Gain networking opportunities with leaders in research, professional practice, as well as with other like-minded professionals.
- Share in the development of standards for spiritual and religious care at the regional and national level.
- Benefit from high-quality work achieved by the committees, Commissions, the Board of Directors of CASC/ACSS and the national staff.
- Be a contributor to a national association that is recognized as a leader in spiritual care delivery and education and is consulted by provincial and national bodies.
- Participate in regional and national annual meetings, with direct access to an expanding knowledge base.
- Communities of Practice
- Access to CASC/ACSS Communities of Practice
- Join other CASC/ACSS Members for mutual support, education, research, advocacy and more. Areas of interest and specialization include Palliative Care and Bereavement, Eating Disorders, Supervisor-Education, Sacred/Entheogenic Medicines and Psychedelic Therapies, Art and Spirituality.
- For more information, visit the Communities of Practice page.
- Insurance
- Gain access to affordable and comprehensive liability insurance
- Coverage includes Professional Errors and Omissions Insurance and General Liability Insurance
- For more information, click here