About the Association

The B.C. Association of Clinical Counsellors 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 "B.C." is and should be retained in all official and legal references to our title.  Members of the Association must meet rigorous academic training (Masters-level equivalency), clinical experience and supervision requirements as part of BCACC's entry criteria. Prospective members are also reviewed through a criminal record check and must submit references from recognized mental health practitioners.

BCACC permits members to identify themselves as "Registered Clinical Counsellors" (R.C.C.) and holds them 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 B.C. 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.

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. Examples include:

• 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):

• Grief and bereavement
• Substance abuse
• Personal growth and self development
• Sexual abuse/trauma
• Depression, panic/anxiety, anger
• Childhood and adolescent issues
• Cross-cultural
• Sexuality (Sex Therapy)
• Communication skills, assertiveness, conflict resolution
• Stress management
• Life transitions
• Obsessive/compulsive behavior