Registered Psychologists (R. Psych) and Registered Clinical Counsellors (RCC) are mental health professionals. Both can assess and treat mental health conditions, and provide individual or group therapy. They cannot prescribe medications like psychiatrists.

The greatest differences between the two are their amount of schooling and what they are qualified to do.

Some key differences:

• Psychologists can provide your child with a diagnosis. Counsellors may have a great deal of knowledge, but the law doesn’t allow them to diagnose mental health conditions.
• Psychologists can assess for learning difficulties by conducting a psycho-educational assessment.
• Psychologists have advanced training at the doctoral level. BC's Registered Clinical Counsellors have a minimum of a Master's Degree.

Each mental health professional has their own areas of expertise. They may specialize in who they treat and use specific types of therapy.

It’s important to find someone to meet your child’s needs. And it’s ok to switch to another professional if your child doesn’t like them or isn’t making a connection. It's also ok to start with a psychologist for assessments and a diagnose and switch to a RCC for counselling. RCCs are often less expensive.

A note on counselling and finding the right fit. 

People may use titles like “counsellor” or “therapist,” but their education, training, and experience can be different. When choosing someone to support you or your family, it is important to ask about their training, experience, and the kind of support they provide.

Some counsellors and therapists are registered with a professional association or regulatory body. This means they have met certain education and training requirements and must follow professional standards. In BC, you may see titles such as Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC), Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC), Registered Social Worker (RSW), or Registered Psychologist.

Mental health professionals can have different levels of education and training. Some have a master’s or doctoral degree. Others may have a diploma or bachelor’s degree, along with other training, supervised experience, and hands-on experience. These professionals can also provide helpful counselling and mental health support, depending on their training and scope of practice.

Some professionals have more than one type of training or professional designation. When choosing someone to work with your family, it is okay to ask about their education, training, experience, and the types of support they provide. This can help you find someone who is a good fit for your family.

You can explore different mental health professional options through Psychology Today Canada.