Q. What is 'Clinical Counselling?

A. 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.

Q. Where do I begin in choosing a Registered Clinical Counsellor?

A. A directory of Clinical Counsellors can be found on the B.C. Association’s of Clinical Counsellor's web site at:
www.bc-counsellors.org. Many are listed in local telephone directories and are designated by the R.C.C. (Registered Clinical Counsellor) acronym. You can also call the B.C. Association of Clinical Counsellors toll free number at 1-800-909-6306.
The provincial Association has names, phone numbers, locations and information regarding their members special areas of practice where applicable. You may also choose a Clinical Counsellor through a referral from your family physician, agency, clinic, or by an Employment and Family Assistance Program. All initial phone inquiries are confidential and free of charge.

Q. What is an Employee Assistance Plan (EAP)

A. Whether you work for an organization or company that offers an EAP benefits package you may have some of these fees covered. You will be able to find this information in your benefits brochure. Brochures are available through the human resources department of your company. In it you will learn if counselling services or psychological services are included. If psychological service are available, call H.R. to clarify what is meant by terms such as counselling or psychology ( Generally an EAP require that service providers are members of a regulatory body. Frequently there is an annual monetary limit for these services.).

Q. What services do Registered Clinical Counsellors provide?

A. Registered Clinical Counsellors may offer a variety of educational and mental health services for individuals, couples, families and groups such as:

• Brief and/or Long-term Counselling
• Psycho-educational Programs
• Vocational, Career Testing and/or Counselling
• Organizational Consulting, Training and Development
• Facilitation and Mediation
• Clinical Teaching and Supervision
• Employee and Family Assistance Program Management, Consulting and Delivery
• Community Response and Critical Incidence/Crisis Intervention

Q. What can I expect?

A. You can expect to be an active participant in a relationship with a clinical counsellor who will treat you in a skilled, caring and non-judgmental way. Your counsellor will help you clarify your concerns and will support you in actively working towards your chosen goals.

A.   Psychiatrist - A Psychiatrist is a medical doctor who has specialized in the study and treatment of psychiatric disorders (as compiled in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV-R). A doctor’s referral is needed to see a psychiatrist. Their fees are covered by BC Medical. They are knowledgeable about medications and not necessarily trained to provide psychotherapy. Psychiatrists have a code of ethics.

A. Registered Psychologist - A Registered Psychologist usually has a PhD in psychology. A referral is not required to access the services of a psychologist. Their fees are suggested by the BC Association of Psychologists. Registered Psychologists have a code of ethics.

A. Registered Clinical Counsellor - A Registered Clinical Counsellor usually has a Masters degree in psychology or counselling or works at a Master's level of competence in counselling. A referral is not required to access the services of an R.C.C.. Their fees are suggested by the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors. Registered Clinical Counsellors have a code of ethics.

A. Registered Social Workers - A Registered Social Worker usually has a Masters degree in social work. A referral is not required to access the services of a social worker. Their fees are suggested by the BC Association of Social Workers. Registered Social Workers have a code of ethics.

A. Counsellors - Anyone can call himself or herself a counsellor. However if they are not a member in good standing with a professional association they are not regulated and thus do not have to abide by a code of ethics.