Practitioner Credentials…what does it all mean?

Navigating Practitioner Credentials  

RCC, CCC, RSW, RPsych...what does it all mean? 

At Fairfield and Oak Bay Mental Health, we have a wonderful team of practitioners who each come with their own wealth of experience.

All our practitioners are qualified to offer counselling services, but in Canada, there are a few different paths some may take to get there.

You may have noticed that after each practitioner's name, there is usually a combination of acronyms.

It can be overwhelming to navigate all the various qualifications that your practitioner may have; our aim is to make that process as simple as possible.  

When choosing a new practitioner, some people have personal preferences or specifications from their insurance provider that make them gravitate to a certain set of qualifications.

We always recommend checking in with your insurance provider to see which type of registration they cover.

Click here to learn about our direct billing eligible providers.  

Currently, all our practitioners hold at least one of the following certifications listed here.

  • A Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) holds a Master’s degree in Counselling and is registered with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC).

    RCCs are qualified to practice within the province of British Columbia.

    Each RCC practices through a different lens or framework (called a modality) and may also hold additional specialized certifications. 

     

  • Our Registered Social Workers (RSW) are counsellors who found their way to practicing counselling through a different schooling degree, a Master’s of Social Work (MSW).

    They usually have a lot of experience in the community, making them knowledgeable in practical aspects of supporting mental health, such as providing referrals to other local supports that are available to you. 

    Counselling services with RSWs are covered by most major health benefit providers, and we offer direct billing for counselling with companies such as Canada Life, Sun Life, Manulife and more.

    At this time, Pacific Blue Cross (PBC) does not offer direct billing for RSWs; however, receipts can be submitted for reimbursement to PBC if you have eligible coverage.

  • Registered Psychologists (now referred to as Licensed Psychologists in BC as of Spring 2026) can provide psychological assessments and diagnosis, as well as general counseling; however, they cannot prescribe medications.

    Psychologists in BC are licensed and regulated by the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC (CHCPBC).

    Psychologists may hold either a Master’s or Doctoral degree in psychology, depending on where they completed their educational and registration pathway. 

  • A Registered Psychiatric Nurse has a valuable background that combines nursing expertise with specialized training in mental health care.

    Their education prepares them to support individuals experiencing complex mental health needs. 

     

  • A Psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in mental health care.

    They are able to provide mental health assessments, diagnoses, and in some cases prescribe medication to their clients.  

     

  • A Somatic Experiencing Practitioner has completed specialized training in the Somatic Experiencing method, focusing on trauma informed body work.

    Click here to learn more about Somatic Experiencing from Jacqueline Gautier, one of our valued and highly experienced RCCs and SEPs.

     

  • A Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) designation is similar to an RCC, with one key difference being that CCC is a national credential. All of our CCCs are also RCCs. 

     

  • As shown, there are many different paths to offering counselling services.

    We hope this guide has provided some clarity and made it easier to understand the different qualifications and designations you may come across.

    If you have any questions about what type of practitioner might be a good fit for you, don’t hesitate to reach out to us Monday to Friday at 250-507-8363 or contact@fairfieldpsychology.com 

“Being the ‘best you can be’ is really only possible when you are deeply connected to another.

Splendid isolation is for planets, not people.”

Dr. Sue Johnson