You’re not alone - therapy designations in BC (and across Canada) can be confusing! Even therapists sometimes have to pause and decode them.

Heather currently holds the Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) designation and has been approved for her Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) designation in British Columbia, which will become valid as of January 1, 2026. Both require a Master’s degree in counselling, counselling psychology, or a related field, hundreds of supervised clinical hours, professional references, and ongoing professional development. The CCC is a Canada-wide designation through the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA), while the RCC is a provincial designation through the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC).

In BC, many counsellors hold professional association designations because counselling isn’t yet regulated. You might also see:

• RTC (Registered Therapeutic Counsellor): requires a certificate or diploma with at least 500 hours of education, or a related degree.

• RPC (Registered Professional Counsellor): follows a similar path but with different requirements for supervised practice.

Neither path is “better or worse,” but knowing the differences can help you understand training, transparency, and insurance coverage.

Other designations you might see:

• RSW (Registered Social Worker): regulated by the BC College of Social Workers. Many RSWs provide clinical counselling.

• RP (Registered Psychotherapist): used in provinces like Ontario, regulated by the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO).

Good news: BC is moving toward regulating counselling. This will make things simpler for clients, with clearer standards, unified accountability, and stronger protection. In the meantime, Heather is always happy to answer any questions about her training, designations, or approach so you can feel informed and comfortable.

Many extended health plans cover sessions with a Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC), and once Heather is fully registered as an RCC, coverage may extend under that designation as well.

Coverage varies between plans, so it’s always best to check with your provider. The Lounge Room provides detailed receipts for reimbursement, but direct billing is not offered at this time.

Yes! The Lounge Room offers lower-cost spots based on financial need, depending on availability. Therapy should be accessible, and cost should never be a barrier.

Furthermore, throughout the year, Heather offers special opportunities (promotions, community initiatives, etc.) to help people on a lower budget access counselling. She is also planning to create a specialized fund through fundraising and merchandise sales, where a portion of proceeds will go directly toward providing counselling to community members in need.

Not at this time, but detailed receipts are provided for you to submit to your extended health benefits provider. Coverage and reimbursement depend on your plan, so it’s always a good idea to check with your provider.

Yes! As a Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC), I’m able to provide counselling to clients across Canada. Counselling is not regulated in most provinces, which means I can legally work with clients no matter where they live.

I currently work with clients who live in the following unregulated jurisdictions:

• British Columbia

• Alberta

• Saskatchewan

• Manitoba

• Newfoundland & Labrador

• Yukon

• Northwest Territories

• Nunavut

If you live in any of these areas, you’re welcome to work with me either online or (if you’re local) in person.

I do not work with clients who live in provinces where counselling or psychotherapy is regulated by a provincial college. This includes:

• Ontario

• Québec

• Nova Scotia

• New Brunswick

• Prince Edward Island

These provinces have their own licensing bodies and specific legal requirements for counsellors and psychotherapists. Because I am not registered with those provincial colleges, I am unable to work with clients who reside there.