Deciding to seek mental health support is a brave step that is often followed by an equally overwhelming search for the right clinical counsellor.

As a registered clinical counsellor, I often hear that from clients about their journey to find a qualified therapist who meets their needs. It is my hope this column can take some of the leg work out of the search.

What to look for

B.C. remains one of the few provinces that has not yet regulated the counselling profession. It can be confusing to know what to look for regarding credentials. A good place to start is looking for a counsellor who voluntarily belongs to a provincial clinical counselling association. Members of those associations must meet a high level of education (a minimum of a masters degree), experience, conform to a code of ethics (as set by the board) and carry liability insurance.

Registered clinical counsellors (RCC), registered social workers (RSW), certified clinical counsellors (CCC) and psychologists with the B.C. Psychological Association are prime examples of credentials to look for when choosing a clinical counsellor.

Most extended health care........

© Castanet