Counselling and Therapy

What Is a Registered Clinical Counsellor? A Plain Language Guide for BC

Name: Sojourn Counselling and Neurofeedback
Price range: $$

July 16, 2026

Clinically reviewed by Jonathan Wieser, MA MFT, RCC, RMFT, Approved Clinical Supervisor. Last reviewed: July 16, 2026.

If you have been searching for a counsellor in BC, you have probably seen the letters RCC after many names. What do they actually mean? This guide explains what a Registered Clinical Counsellor is, the training behind the designation, the standards RCCs follow, and how to verify a counsellor’s registration before you book.

If you would like to see who is available now, view counsellor profiles and book online.

The Short Answer

A Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) is a counsellor registered with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC). RCCs hold a master’s degree in counselling or a related field, complete 100 hours of clinical supervision, follow a code of ethical conduct, and carry professional liability insurance. RCC is one of the most widely recognized counselling credentials in British Columbia, and it is the designation held by the counselling team providing Registered Clinical Counselling at Sojourn.

What Training Does an RCC Have?

Counselling textbooks, framed graduate degree, and clinical supervision notes representing the training required to become an RCC

A Master’s Degree

Every RCC holds, at minimum, a master’s degree in counselling, counselling psychology, or a graduate degree relevant to clinical counselling and psychotherapy, from an accredited institution. That typically means six or more years of post secondary education before a counsellor can even apply.

Required Coursework

BCACC requires applicants to complete coursework across six core areas, with at least four completed at the master’s level:

Developmental psychology or psychopathology
Counselling theories or personality theories
Group therapy theory and practice
Family therapy theory and practice
Basic research design
Professional ethics in counselling

100 Hours of Clinical Supervision

Applicants must complete 100 hours of clinical supervision during or after their master’s program, verified through professional references. At least 25 of those hours must be directly observed by a qualified clinical supervisor, through live observation, recorded sessions, or co counselling. This means an experienced clinician has actually watched an RCC’s work before they were registered, not just read about it.

Other Requirements

Registration also requires a minimum of two professional references, demonstrated English language proficiency, a criminal record check, and proof of professional liability insurance.

What Standards Do RCCs Follow?

RCCs agree to BCACC’s Code of Ethical Conduct and Standards of Clinical Practice. In practical terms, that covers things like informed consent, professional boundaries, record keeping, and confidentiality, including its legal limits, which your counsellor should explain in your first session.

BCACC also operates a formal complaints and investigations process. If a client believes an RCC has acted unethically, there is an accountable body to hear that complaint, something that does not exist for unregistered counsellors.

What Can an RCC Help With?

RCCs provide counselling and psychotherapy for concerns including anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, stress, relationship difficulties, parenting challenges, and life transitions. Many develop focused expertise through additional training in approaches such as EMDR, Emotionally Focused Therapy, AEDP, CBT, or Solution Focused Brief Therapy. Some counsellors also offer neurofeedback, a non-invasive brain training approach that is used to support self-regulation alongside counselling.

What an RCC Does Not Do

Understanding the limits of any credential matters as much as its strengths:

Formal diagnosis. RCCs assess and treat, but providing a formal mental health diagnosis is outside their role. Psychologists and physicians provide diagnoses in BC.
Medication. RCCs do not prescribe. Medication questions belong with your family doctor or a psychiatrist.
Psychological testing. Formal assessments, such as for ADHD or learning disabilities, are done by psychologists.

A good RCC works alongside these professionals and will tell you when another provider is the better fit for part of your care. For a full comparison, see our guide to choosing between a counsellor, psychologist, or psychiatrist in BC.

Is RCC the Same as Being Government Regulated?

Not quite, and this is worth understanding. BCACC is a professional association, not a government regulatory college, so RCC registration is a voluntary standard. Counselling in BC is currently moving toward statutory regulation, with psychotherapy licensing under the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC beginning November 29, 2027. Until then, the RCC designation has functioned as the leading voluntary standard of accountability. We explain the full picture in our guide to whether counsellors are regulated in BC.

How to Verify Someone Is an RCC

Woman searching an online directory of Registered Clinical Counsellors to verify a counsellor's registration and good standing

Ask for their full name and, if offered, their RCC registration number.
Search the BCACC RCC Register, a free public directory of current registrants.
Check that their registration is in good standing.
If anything seems unclear, ask the counsellor directly. Qualified professionals welcome these questions.

Credentials at a Glance

Credential	Body	Minimum education	Oversight
RCC	BC Association of Clinical Counsellors	Master’s degree	Code of ethics, complaints process
CCC	Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association	Master’s degree	National certification, code of ethics
R.Psych	College of Health and Care Professionals of BC	Doctoral degree	Government regulated
RSW	BC College of Social Workers	Social work degree	Government regulated

What Happens in a First Session

A first session with an RCC is mostly a conversation. Your counsellor will ask what brought you in, what you are hoping to change, and what has already been tried. Nothing is required of you beyond what you feel ready to share, and there is no expectation that you arrive with your story neatly organised.

Most first sessions also cover the practical frame: how confidentiality works and where its legal limits sit, fees and the cancellation policy, and roughly how often you might meet. Many clients find it useful to leave the first session with a sense of direction rather than a finished plan.

Sessions run 50 minutes. Some people come for a handful of sessions to work through one specific problem; others stay longer for trauma or relationship work that unfolds gradually. A good counsellor will revisit that question with you as the work develops rather than deciding it for you at the outset.

Choosing a Counsellor Who Fits

Fit usually matters more than title. Counsellors, psychologists and social workers all bring real training, and decades of psychotherapy research point to the working relationship as one of the strongest predictors of whether therapy helps. The more useful question is often not which credential, but which person.

It can help to ask what you actually want from the work: someone who will sit with you in difficult emotions, someone who will help you set concrete goals, or someone trained in a specific approach such as EMDR for trauma. If you are unsure, an initial session is a low commitment way to find out, and it is entirely reasonable to meet more than one counsellor before settling.

You can read our counsellors’ profiles to compare training, specialties and availability, or contact us if you would like help choosing.

Working With an RCC at Sojourn

At Sojourn Counselling and Neurofeedback in Cloverdale, Surrey, our Registered Clinical Counsellors support adults, children, youth, couples, and families, in person and online across BC. You can review each counsellor’s credentials, focus areas, and availability on our counselling team page and book directly online.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does RCC stand for?

RCC stands for Registered Clinical Counsellor, a designation granted by the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors to counsellors who meet its education, supervision, and ethics requirements.

Is an RCC qualified to treat anxiety and trauma?

Yes. RCCs are trained at the master’s level in counselling and psychotherapy, and many complete additional training in evidence informed approaches for anxiety and trauma such as EMDR and CBT. Research suggests therapy outcomes depend strongly on the fit between you and your therapist, so look for both the credential and relevant experience.

Can an RCC diagnose mental health conditions?

No. RCCs assess concerns and provide treatment, but formal diagnosis in BC is provided by psychologists and physicians. An RCC can refer you for assessment when a diagnosis would be helpful. Learn more about who does what among counsellors, psychologists, and psychiatrists.

How do I verify an RCC’s registration?

Use the BCACC RCC Register, a free public directory. Search the counsellor’s name to confirm they are a current registrant in good standing.

Is RCC the same as CCC?

They are similar but separate. Both require a master’s degree. RCC is granted by the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors and is BC focused; CCC (Canadian Certified Counsellor) is a national certification from the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. Many BC insurance plans list both; check your plan’s wording.

Are RCC services covered by insurance?

Many extended health plans in BC cover counselling with an RCC, though coverage varies by plan. MSP does not cover RCC services. Check your plan for eligible providers and maximums, and see our fees and insurance page for how billing works at Sojourn.