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.

This may involve developing insight into, and/or learning to prevent and/or eliminate maladaptive behaviour or symptoms, in addition to the enhancement and strengthening of health coping styles and functional relationships with self and others.

The benefits of counselling include improved mental health, enhanced self-awareness, better communication skills, increased coping skills, improved problem-solving skills, greater resilience, and increased personal growth. Counselling can be advantageous for people of all ages, backgrounds, and cultural identities.

Sometimes its hard to know when to take a step towards counselling. Below are some common signs that we have seen lead people to counselling:

• You are starting to feel overwhelmed by stress or emotions leading to difficulty coping with daily life.
• You are experiencing persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or hollowness.
• You have difficulty sleeping or have experienced noticeable and unwanted changes in appetite or weight.
• You struggle with anxiety, panic attacks, compulsive thinking or chronic worry.
• You have experienced a traumatic event and are having difficulty processing it.
• You are dealing with a major life transition, such as a divorce, a new child or job loss.
• You are having relationship challenges that you are struggling to resolve on your own.
• You are struggling with substance abuse or addiction.
• You have difficulty setting and achieving goals or finding motivation.
• You feel like you have lost your sense of purpose or direction in life.

If any of these signs resonate with you, it may be helpful to speak with one of our therapists and start the counselling process.

Both the Registered Clinical Counsellor and MSW designations specialize in clinical counselling services to address mental health concerns. They are master’s level designations that provide specialized training in clinical counselling practices. A Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) is a mental health professional who specializes in providing clinical counselling services, while a Master of Social Work (MSW, RSW) can include counselling but may also include other areas such as community organizing and advocacy.

The British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC) was incorporated in 1988 with the principal goal of regulating the professional practice of clinical counsellors in the province of British Columbia.

Members of the Association must meet rigorous academic training (Masters-level equivalency), clinical experience and supervision requirements as part of BCACC’s entry criteria. Prospective members are also reviewed through a criminal record check and must submit references from recognized mental health practitioners.

BCACC permits members to identify themselves as "Registered Clinical Counsellors" (R.C.C.) and holds them accountable to the Association and to the public through our Code of Ethical Conduct and Standards of Clinical Practice and its complaints, investigation and discipline procedures.