Understanding the Different Types of Counsellors in British Columbia

In British Columbia, there are several types of professionals who provide counselling and mental health support. Each has a unique training path, regulatory body, and area of focus.

A Note on Regulatory Bodies in BC

Colleges are mandatory regulatory bodies established by provincial legislation. They hold legal authority to regulate a profession, including setting education and practice standards, investigating complaints, and disciplining members who breach professional or ethical obligations.

Colleges also control the use of professional titles. In British Columbia, for example, social workers, psychologists, and psychiatrists must be registered with their respective colleges to legally use those protected titles and to practise within their defined scopes of practice.

Associations, by contrast, are voluntary professional organizations. They support members through advocacy, professional development, and community networking but do not have legal or disciplinary authority.

The titles “counsellor,” “therapist,” and “coach” are not regulated by law in BC. This means that anyone can use these titles, regardless of their education or training. However, many counsellors choose to join professional associations (such as the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors or the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association) that set voluntary standards for education, ethics, and supervision.

Understanding these distinctions can help you find the right fit for your needs and goals.

Registered Clinical Counsellors (RCCs)

RCCs are members of the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC). They typically hold a master’s degree in counselling psychology or a related discipline and have completed supervised clinical experience. RCCs provide therapy for a wide range of mental health concerns such as anxiety, depression, trauma, and relationship issues, and are bound by BCACC’s ethical and professional standards.

Canadian Certified Counsellors (CCCs)

CCCs are certified by the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA), a national organization that upholds consistent standards for counselling practice across Canada. They also hold graduate-level training in counselling, meet requirements for supervised clinical hours, and commit to ongoing professional development.

Registered Social Workers (RSWs) and Registered Clinical Social Workers (RCSWs)

Social workers are regulated by the BC College of Social Workers (BCCSW), a provincial regulatory body.

• RSWs (Registered Social Workers) hold at least a bachelor’s or master’s degree in social work and provide counselling, advocacy, and practical support across a wide range of community and clinical settings.

• RCSWs (Registered Clinical Social Workers) hold advanced clinical training at the master’s or postgraduate level, along with extensive supervision and assessment experience. They are legally authorized to diagnose mental disorders in BC—the only counsellors, aside from psychologists and psychiatrists, who can do so. RCSWs bring both clinical expertise and a systems-based understanding of the social and environmental factors that shape mental health, allowing them to offer highly integrated and evidence-based care.

Registered Therapeutic Counsellors (RTCs)

RTCs are registered with the Association of Cooperative Counselling Therapists of Canada (ACCT). Unlike RCCs, CCCs, or RCSWs, RTCs are not required to hold a master’s degree. Instead, they typically complete extensive diploma-level training in counselling and psychotherapy from accredited private colleges or training institutes. RTCs focus on creating strong therapeutic relationships and supporting emotional healing through relational, somatic, and experiential approaches. While they may not have graduate-level academic credentials, many RTCs bring rich, hands-on counselling experience and a deeply humanistic focus to their work.

Psychologists (R.Psych.)

Registered Psychologists are regulated by the College of Psychologists of BC (CPBC). They hold doctoral degrees (PhD or PsyD) and have advanced expertise in psychological assessment, diagnosis, and therapy. Psychologists often work with complex mental health conditions, provide testing for learning or cognitive concerns, and use evidence-based treatment approaches.

Psychiatrists (MD, FRCPC)

Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in mental health. They are regulated by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC and can diagnose mental illnesses, prescribe medication, and provide psychotherapy. Psychiatrists often work in hospitals, community settings, or through referral from a family physician.

Choosing the Right Counsellor for You

Each type of counsellor offers a different lens and approach. Some bring medical or diagnostic expertise, others focus on emotional growth, relational healing, or practical life supports. What matters most is finding a practitioner whose background, philosophy, and personality align with your needs and comfort.

In BC, there is a diverse and compassionate network of counsellors, therapists, and mental health professionals—each dedicated to helping individuals, couples, and families find clarity, resilience, and wellbeing.