You have found a counsellor who sounds right, and then you notice the letters after their name: RCC, CCC, MPCC-C, RSW. It is easy to worry that you are about to pick the wrong kind of counsellor. Here is what each set of letters means in BC, and why fit matters more than the acronym.
If you are in crisis
Call or text 9-8-8 (Suicide Crisis Helpline, 24 hours). If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 911. In BC you can also call 1-800-784-2433 (1-800-SUICIDE) any time, or 310-6789 (no area code) for mental health support. The Healing Oak is not an emergency service.
What is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC)?
A Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) is a counsellor registered with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC). To become an RCC, a counsellor needs a master's degree in clinical counselling, psychotherapy or a closely related area, according to BCACC's RCC eligibility page (checked 2026). BCACC also keeps a public member register where you can look up an RCC by name.
At The Healing Oak, RCCs see clients at both the Chilliwack and Abbotsford clinics. You can see who is who on the counselling page for Chilliwack and Abbotsford.
What is a Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC)?
A Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) holds a national certification from the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA). Only counsellors approved for certification can use the letters CCC, according to CCPA's certification page (checked 2026).
At The Healing Oak, the CCCs on the team currently work at the Abbotsford clinic. You may also see CCC-CCS. Jae Yoo's practitioner page explains CCS as a Certified Clinical Supervisor designation, held by counsellors qualified to supervise and train other clinicians.
Is an RCC better than a CCC?
No. An RCC is not a higher or lower credential than a CCC. CCPA and BCACC have a formal partnership that includes promoting the CCC and RCC designations as equivalent, according to CCPA's British Columbia regulation page (checked 2026).
Neither title is a provincial licence. Counselling in BC is not regulated by a provincial college, so RCC and CCC are association credentials. The same CCPA page reports that BC designated psychotherapy as a health profession in July 2024, with regulation of the profession still being worked out.
What that means for you: the letters tell you the counsellor met a professional association's education and practice standards. The practical check is your benefit plan. Some extended health plans name the designations they reimburse, so look for RCC or CCC in your plan's counselling benefit before your first session.
What do MPCC-C, RSW and the other letters mean?
The other letters you will see at The Healing Oak are a mix of designations and degrees.
- MPCC: Master Practitioner in Clinical Counselling, a designation of the Canadian Professional Counsellors Association (CPCA). Korey Smith's credential is listed as MPCC-C.
- RSW: Registered Social Worker. Social work in BC is regulated by the British Columbia College of Social Workers.
- MSW and BSW: master's and bachelor's degrees in social work.
- MACP: a master's degree in counselling psychology.
- M.Ed or MEd: a Master of Education degree.
- PsyD: a Doctor of Psychology degree. Sara Khosravi (PsyD., RCC) holds one and works in counselling at The Healing Oak.
Who holds which credential at The Healing Oak?
Every counsellor at The Healing Oak is listed below with their credentials as they appear on the site. Availability changes, so check the practitioner page or ask when you book.
| Counsellor | Credentials | Clinic | On a waitlist? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Korey Smith | MPCC-C | Chilliwack and Abbotsford | No |
| Jessy Parmar | RCC, BSW, MSW, RSW | Chilliwack | No |
| Jenny Sudermann | BSW MSW RSW | Chilliwack | No |
| Charlene Lee | MACP, B.Ed, RCC | Chilliwack | No |
| Jillian Whitely | M.ED, RCC | Chilliwack | Yes |
| Remi Wauthy | RCC | Chilliwack | No |
| Jessica Hilton | RCC | Chilliwack | No |
| Duncan White | CCC, M.Ed. | Abbotsford | No |
| Jae Yoo | CCC-CCS | Abbotsford | No |
| Sara Khosravi | PsyD., RCC | Abbotsford | Yes |
| Sanjit Jabbal | BA, MACP, RCC | Abbotsford | No |
| Susan Doiron | MEd, CCC | Abbotsford | No |
The pattern is simple: RCCs work at both clinics, the CCCs currently work in Abbotsford, and Korey Smith sees clients in both cities.
How should you choose a counsellor, then?
Choose a counsellor for fit first, and use credentials as a check rather than a ranking. Fit means what you want help with, the approach the counsellor uses, which clinic is easier to reach, and whether you feel comfortable with them after a session or two.
Three questions to ask when you book:
- Does my benefit plan cover your designation? Check your plan's wording first.
- What is the fee? Fees vary by practitioner. Confirm the fee when you book.
- Do you direct bill my insurer? Direct billing depends on the practitioner. Ask when you book.
MSP generally does not cover private counselling. Many extended health plans do; check your plan. Session durations vary, and you do not need a doctor's referral to book counselling. If you want a specific approach, such as CBT or EMDR, the modalities page explains each one, and each counsellor's page lists the approaches they use.
What if you need a psychologist instead?
A psychologist is a separate profession from a counsellor. Psychologists in BC are regulated by the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC. At The Healing Oak, psychology is its own service, based at the Chilliwack clinic. If you need a psychological assessment, or your plan only covers a psychologist, start on the psychology service page. For the full comparison, read psychologist vs counsellor vs therapist in BC.
The short version
RCC and CCC both tell you a counsellor met a professional association's standards, and neither outranks the other. Pick for fit, check your plan, and find a counsellor in Chilliwack or Abbotsford when you are ready.
This article is general information, not medical or psychological advice. For advice about your situation, talk to a qualified practitioner.
