How to Choose a Counsellor Near Me in Abbotsford and British Columbia
- Evan Vukets
- 23 hours ago
- 6 min read
Written by Evan Vukets, RCC, Registered Clinical Counsellor in Abbotsford, BC. I support men in Abbotsford, the Fraser Valley, and online across BC. Learn more about me.
If you’ve searched “counsellor near me” in Abbotsford or anywhere else in British Columbia, you have likely noticed that there are a lot of acronyms that counsellors use on Google or counselling directory sites like Psychology Today.
Almost anyone can call themselves a counsellor or therapist in BC, so these acronyms are the credentials, and it’s worth knowing what you’re actually looking at.
This guide is designed as a clear, scrollable reference to help you understand:
Which designations are recognized.
How much training they typically require.
What those credentials mean for coverage, accountability, and scope of practice.
An Important Starting Point: Counselling Is Largely Unregulated in BC
Unlike Ontario and other provinces where counselling is regulated, most counselling roles in British Columbia are not government-regulated professions.
This means:
There is no single licensing body overseeing all counsellors.
Titles like counsellor or therapist can be used without standardized requirements.
Training, supervision, and ethical oversight can vary widely.
Because of this, it’s especially important to look for recognized, accredited designations tied to:
Graduate-level and above education.
Supervised clinical hours.
A professional code of ethics.
Ongoing accountability to an association.
Counselling Credentials in BC (Ordered by Education & Training Requirements)
Below is a general hierarchy, from most to least formal education required. This isn’t about “better or worse,” but about helping you understand the differences.
Psychologist (PhD or PsyD)
Education level
Doctoral degree (PhD or PsyD).
Extensive supervised clinical training.
Certification
Registered provincially with the College of Psychologists of BC.
What psychologists can do
Provide psychotherapy.
Conduct formal psychological assessments.
Diagnose mental health conditions.
Good to know
Required for specific assessments (i.e., court-ordered assessments, or psychoeducational testing).
Often the highest fees, which makes individual counselling with one not financially accessible for most.
Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC)
Education level
Master’s degree in counselling or a closely related field.
Significant supervised clinical experience.
Ongoing continuing education and ethical requirements.
Professional oversight
Registered with a recognized professional association, the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counselling or BCACC.
Common areas of work
Hospital or inpatient settings.
Group practices.
Inter-disciplinary clinics.
Private practice.
Good to know
Widely accepted by extended health benefits.
Eligible for sessions to be covered by third-party programs like ICBC, CVAP, and FNHA.
Registered Marriage & Family Therapist (RMFT)
Education level
Master’s degree or higher.
Specialized training in relational and systemic therapy.
Professional oversight
Certified through the Canadian Association for Marriage & Family Therapy.
Primary focus
Couples therapy.
Family systems.
Relationship dynamics.
Good to know
Strong fit for relational work due to additional training and focus in the area.
Recognition by insurers can vary.
Registered Canadian Art Therapist (RCAT)
Education level
Master’s degree in art therapy or counselling with art therapy specialization.
Professional oversight
Through the Canadian Art Therapy Association.
Approach
Uses creative processes alongside verbal therapy.
Particularly helpful for clients who struggle to express experiences verbally.
Good to know
While not traditional talk therapy, it is still grounded in clinical training.
Coverage depends on insurer and plan.
Registered Social Worker (RSW)
Education level
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in social work.
Professional oversight
Regulated by the provincial college, the BC College of Social Workers.
Common areas of work
Hospitals.
Community agencies.
Private practice.
Good to know
Some RSWs provide psychotherapy.
Scope and counselling focus vary depending on training.
Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC)
Education level
Master’s-level education.
Professional oversight
National certification through the federal association CCPA - Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association.
Good to know
Often overlaps in training with RCCs, so some CCCs are credentials as both.
Coverage varies by insurance provider, with many in BC cover RCCs and not CCCs.
Registered Therapeutic Counsellor (RTC)
Education level
Varies significantly.
Education only diploma level (not at a degree or post-graduate education level as all other credentials).
Professional oversight
Registered with the Association of Cooperative Counselling Therapists of Canada.
Good to know
Training and supervision standards differ widely, but many RTCs have completed additional trainings after their diploma.
It is important to ask detailed questions about education and experience. Many work in specific areas and do not work with trauma or mood disorders.
Not often recognized by extended health plans.
Sessions with an RTC are not able to be covered by third-party programs like ICBC, CVAP, and FNHA.
How to Use This Information to find a Counsellor near me in Abbotsford (Without Overthinking It)
When choosing a counsellor, credentials are one part of the picture, not the whole thing.
As you scan profiles, consider:
Do they work with the issues I’m dealing with right now?
Can they clearly explain their training and approach?
Are they accountable to a professional body?
Do I feel understood reading their words?
If those boxes are checked, you’re likely starting in a good place.
Do I Need a Doctor’s Referral in BC?
No.
You can self-refer to counselling services in Abbotsford and the Fraser Valley without a physician’s referral.
ICBC & CVAP Counselling Coverage (What to Know)
ICBC Counselling
If you’ve been involved in a motor vehicle accident, ICBC may cover counselling services related to the emotional or psychological impact of the collision.
This can include:
Accident-related anxiety.
Trauma responses.
Adjustment difficulties after injury.
Eligibility depends on claim approval and provider credentials.
Crime Victim Assistance Program (CVAP)
The Crime Victim Assistance Program provides funding for counselling following experiences of crime or violence.
This may include:
Sexual assault.
Childhood abuse.
Domestic violence.
Other criminal acts causing psychological harm.
CVAP funding is based on impact, not diagnosis. A police report for the experience has to be on record for CVAP to approve funding through their program.
A Note on Provider Eligibility
Not all counsellors are approved to work with ICBC or CVAP.
As a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC), I am eligible to provide counselling services under both ICBC and CVAP for clients who qualify, allowing access to therapy without paying privately.
Final Thought
Choosing a counsellor isn’t about finding the most letters after someone’s name.
It’s about finding someone who is:
Properly trained.
Ethically accountable.
Experienced with what you’re facing.
Someone you feel safe opening up to.
Taking time to understand credentials isn’t being picky.
It’s being thoughtful about your care.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Is counselling regulated in British Columbia?
Counselling is largely unregulated in British Columbia.This means individuals may legally use the titles “counsellor” or “therapist” without being part of a government-regulated profession.
Because of this, it’s important to look for recognized designations (such as RCC, RSW, Psychologist) that involve graduate-level education, supervision, and ethical oversight.
What does RCC mean in BC?
RCC stands for Registered Clinical Counsellor.
An RCC has:
A master’s degree in counselling or a related field.
Completed supervised clinical training.
Ongoing continuing education requirements.
Ethical accountability through a professional association.
RCCs are widely accepted by extended health benefit plans in British Columbia.
How do I choose a counsellor near me in Abbotsford?
When choosing a counsellor in Abbotsford or the Fraser Valley, consider:
Their credentials and training.
Experience with your specific concerns.
Whether they are covered by your benefits or programs.
Whether their approach feels like a good fit.
Many people also find it helpful to book a first session or free consultation to assess comfort and connection.
Is there a difference between a counsellor and a therapist?
In British Columbia, the terms counsellor and therapist are often used interchangeably.
What matters more than the title is:
The person’s education and training.
Their professional designation.
Whether they are accountable to a recognized body.
Looking at credentials provides much more clarity than job titles alone.
Do I need a doctor’s referral to see a counsellor in BC?
No.
You can self-refer to counselling services in British Columbia without a physician’s referral.
What is CVAP counselling?
The Crime Victim Assistance Program (CVAP) provides funding for counselling for individuals affected by crime or violence.
Coverage is based on the impact of the experience, not on having a formal diagnosis.Only approved providers can offer CVAP-funded counselling.
Is counselling covered by ICBC?
If you’ve been involved in a motor vehicle accident, ICBC may fund counselling services related to the emotional or psychological impact of the collision.
Eligibility depends on claim approval and provider credentials.
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