What's the Difference Between a Therapist, Counsellor, and Psychologist in BC?

You've decided to reach out for support. Maybe you've been struggling for a while, or maybe something recent has pushed you to finally make the call. You open your browser, type in "therapist Burnaby" or "counselling near me," and within seconds you're confronted with a wall of credentials you've never encountered before — RCC, CCC, RPsych, PhD, MA. Some people call themselves therapists. Others say counsellors. Some are psychologists. A few are social workers. And somehow they all seem to do roughly the same thing.

If you've ever closed the tab in frustration, you're not alone. The mental health landscape in British Columbia is genuinely confusing — not because the professionals themselves are trying to mislead you, but because the system is complex, historically inconsistent, and not well explained anywhere in plain language.

This post is an attempt to fix that.

Why It's So Confusing

Unlike medicine or dentistry, where the titles are tightly regulated and relatively uniform, mental health care in BC involves multiple regulated professions, several voluntary membership associations, and a handful of protected titles — all operating within the same general space of providing talk-based support.

The word "therapist" itself is not a protected title in BC. Neither is "counsellor." This means that technically, anyone can call themselves a therapist or counsellor regardless of their training or qualifications. What matters is whether the person holds a regulated designation — and what that designation actually requires.

The Key Designations in BC

Psychologist (R.Psych or L.Psych)

Psychologists in BC are regulated by the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC (CHCPBC). To become a psychologist in BC, a person must complete a doctoral degree (PhD or PsyD) in psychology, complete a supervised internship, pass national licensing examinations, and meet the college's ongoing professional standards.

Psychologists are trained to assess, diagnose, and treat a wide range of mental health conditions. They are qualified to conduct psychological assessments — formal evaluations of cognitive, emotional, and behavioural functioning — in addition to providing therapy. Their doctoral-level training means they have the most extensive academic and clinical preparation of any mental health provider.

In BC the title "psychologist" is protected — only people registered with the CHCPBC can use it.

Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC)

Registered Clinical Counsellors are members of the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC). To become an RCC, a person must complete a master's degree in counselling or a related field, complete supervised clinical hours, and meet the association's competency requirements.

Unlike the title psychologist which is legally protected, the RCC designation is a professional membership — counsellors are not legally required to hold it to practice in BC. However BCACC maintains rigorous standards and the RCC is widely recognized by many extended health benefit plans.

Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC)

Canadian Certified Counsellors are members of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA). Like the RCC, the CCC is a voluntary designation requiring a master's degree and supervised clinical experience. The CCC is a national designation and is recognized across Canada, though it is less commonly seen in BC than the RCC.

Registered Social Worker (RSW)

Social workers in BC are regulated by the BC College of Social Workers. Those who provide therapy typically hold a master's degree in social work (MSW) and may have specialized training in clinical practice. Social workers approach mental health support through a lens that considers the broader social, systemic, and environmental factors affecting a person's wellbeing.

What About Psychiatrists?

Psychiatrists are medical doctors (MDs) who have completed a residency in psychiatry. They are qualified to diagnose mental health conditions and prescribe medication. Some psychiatrists also provide therapy, but many focus primarily on medication management. In BC, seeing a psychiatrist typically requires a referral from a family doctor and can involve a significant wait time.

Psychiatrists are not the same as psychologists — the similar-sounding names cause a lot of confusion. The key difference is that psychiatrists are physicians who can prescribe medication, whereas psychologists cannot prescribe medication. Psychologists are doctoral-level (PhD) mental health specialists who focus on assessment and therapy. While they do not usually prescribe medication, psychologists generally receive much more in-depth training in delivering therapy and behavioural interventions.

So Which One Do You Need?

The honest answer is that for most people seeking talk therapy, the specific designation of your therapist matters less than finding someone whose approach, personality, and areas of expertise are a good fit for your needs.

That said, here are some general guidelines:

Consider a psychologist if:

• You want or need a formal psychological assessment

• You are dealing with complex or long-standing mental health concerns

• You want doctoral-level training and the most extensive clinical preparation

• Your insurance plan specifically covers registered psychologists

Consider an RCC or CCC if:

• You are looking for talk therapy for anxiety, depression, relationship concerns, grief, life transitions, or similar presenting issues

• You want access to a wider range of practitioners at potentially lower rates

• Your insurance plan covers registered clinical counsellors

Consider a psychiatrist if:

• You think medication may be part of your treatment

• You have a complex diagnosis that requires medical management

• You have been referred by your family doctor

Does Insurance Cover These Services?

This is one of the most common questions people have — and the answer depends entirely on your specific plan.

MSP in BC covers services with a psychiatrist but does not cover private therapy with psychologists, counsellors, or social workers. However many extended health benefit plans include coverage for sessions with a psychologist and/or registered clinical counsellor. Some plans cover psychologists only. Others cover RCCs, CCCs and psychologists. Coverage amounts, session limits, and eligible designations vary significantly by plan — we recommend checking directly with your insurance provider before booking.

A Note on Titles at Being and Becoming

At Being and Becoming Counselling and Wellness Services, our team of mental health professionals includes licensed psychologists, registered clinical counsellors, and a Canadian certified counsellor. All of our clinicians hold recognized designations, meet ongoing professional development requirements, and are supervised or regulated through their respective colleges or associations.

If you're unsure who might be the right fit for you, our free consultation and clinician matching process is designed to take the guesswork out of it. We'll ask about what you're looking for, what matters to you in a therapist, and match you with the clinician we think is the best fit — regardless of their specific designation.