What is a Registered Clinical Counsellor?

What Is the Difference Between Counselling and Clinical Counselling?

The words counselling, clinical counselling, therapy and psychotherapy are often used interchangeably. However, the word “counselling” is also a broad term that may describe many different kinds of support.

Counselling can include assistance with personal growth, relationships, decision-making, stress, life transitions and emotional well-being.

Clinical counselling refers more specifically to professional mental health care provided by a practitioner with advanced education, supervised clinical experience and training in psychological assessment, treatment planning and recognized therapeutic approaches.

A Registered Clinical Counsellor, or RCC, has met the education, clinical-training and supervision requirements established by the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors. RCCs are also accountable to professional standards of practice and a code of ethics.

Clinical counsellors do not prescribe medication and RCCs do not provide medical diagnoses. They work collaboratively with clients to understand concerns, establish counselling goals and provide therapeutic support within their areas of education and competence.

Clinical counselling is not reserved for people with severe mental health concerns. It can support you with everyday challenges, personal growth and relationship concerns, as well as more complex emotional, psychological or trauma-related difficulties.

At NuVue Counselling, individual counselling sessions are provided by Andrea Ballance, BSW, MC, RCC, a Registered Clinical Counsellor with graduate-level clinical training.