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The BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC) was incorporated in 1988 with the principal goal of regulating the professional practice of Clinical Counsellors (see below) in the province of British Columbia. The abbreviation “BC” is and should be retained in all official and legal references to our title. Today, the BCACC represents over 2,400 Registered Clinical Counsellors throughout BC.
Online BCACC Brochure - in 5 different languages
The Association grants the use of the title “Registered Clinical Counsellor” (RCC) to persons who are voluntarily registered with the Association. When you see the RCC designation, you will know that the counsellor has met the rigorous academic training (Masters-level equivalency), clinical experience and supervision requirements that are part of the BCACCs membership criteria. Prospective members are also reviewed through a criminal record check and must submit references from recognized mental health practitioners.
Registered Clinical Counsellors are accountable to the Association and to the public through our Code of Ethical Conduct and Standards of Clinical Practice and its complaints, investigation and discipline procedures.
“Who’s Who” in the Association Our Board of Directors, Committees, Delegate Council Representatives and staff are active year-round at a variety of levels in furthering the interests and goals of BCACC and those we serve. For a current list of “who’s who”, follow this link.
Association Mission Statement The BC Association of Clinical Counsellors is a society of regulated Clinical Counsellors dedicated to providing the highest standard of professional counselling, consulting, assessment, testing and training services. Members of the society act to enhance mental health by providing responsive, accountable, and ethical counselling, consulting, assessment, testing, and training services to individuals, couples, families and groups. What is Mental Health? Mental Health, according to the World Health Organization, is defined as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of a disease or illness. Mental Health is defined by Health and Welfare Canada as the capacity of the individual, the group and the environment to interact with one another in ways that promote subjective wellbeing and the optimal development and use of thinking, feeling and relationship abilities. What is Clinical Counselling? Clinical Counselling is the use of clinical mental health counselling values, principles and methods for the purpose of assisting clients to understand their issues and concerns in order to enhance self-growth, personal effectiveness, interpersonal relations, life adjustments, spiritual growth, and mental health. This may involve developing insight into, and/or learning to prevent and/or eliminate maladaptive behavior or symptoms, in addition to the enhancement and strengthening of health coping styles and functional relationships with self and others. How can an RCC help me?
Sometimes our complex, 24/7 world leaves little time to sort through personal concerns.
When your personal problem-solving efforts are no longer working, an RCC can help you and your loved ones cope and thrive.
A Registered Clinical Counsellor can help you get a better understanding of your issues and concerns in order to enhance your self-growth, personal effectiveness, relationships, and your general mental health and well-being.
What Services do Registered Clinical Counsellors Provide? Registered Clinical Counsellors work within an Association-approved scope of practice and offer a variety of educational and mental health related services for individuals, couples, families and groups. RCCs are qualified to help you address many mental health issues including:
- Brief/Long Term Counselling/Therapy
- Psychoeducational Programs
- Vocational or Career Testing and Counselling
- Organizational Consulting, Training and Development
- Facilitation and Mediation
- Clinical Teaching and Supervision
- Employee/Family Assistance Program Management, Consulting and Delivery
- Community Response and Critical Incident/Crisis Intervention
What are the Benefits of Choosing a Registered Clinical Counsellor?
Registered Clinical Counsellors have successfully fulfilled requirements of education, supervision and clinical experience to the satisfaction of the Association.
Some third party payment plans such as Extended Health Care Insurance and Employee/Family Assistance Programs pay partial or total coverage for counselling services.
What concerns would I bring to a Registered Clinical Counsellor?
Registered Clinical Counsellors are qualified to address many clinical mental health issues through assessment, prevention, and treatment/intervention. Some examples of concerns/issues which are appropriate to bring to a Registered Clinical Counsellor include the following (not an all-inclusive list; many specialized concerns require specific counsellor training):
- Stress and anger management
- Panic and anxiety
- Depression
- Marital and relationship problems
- Obsessive/compulsive behavior
- Sexual abuse or trauma
- Grief and loss
- Substance abuse
- Eating disorders
- Gender and sexuality issues
- Child and adolescent issues
- Communication skills/assertiveness
- Conflict resolution
- Life transitions or career issues
- And many other concerns as well
Where do I begin if I want to work with an RCC?
In order to find a qualified, ethical professional counsellor in your community, you can call the toll free number of the BCACC at 1-800-909-6303 or go to our Private Practice Referral List online and do a search.
All calls are confidential and free of charge. We can answer your questions and provide you with contact information for Registered Clinical Counsellors in your area.
You may also ask for a referral to an RCC through your family physician, clinic, or through an Employee and Family Assistance Program.
Also, your local yellow pages may have counsellors with the Registered Clinical Counsellor or RCC designation.
To view the recommended fee schedule for Registered Clinical Counsellors, click here.
