bcacc 2025 annual report
Candice Alder
President of the Board
Michael Radano
CEO
PRESIDENT & CEO MESSAGE
This past year has been one of significant progress and momentum for the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC), as we continue to strengthen our role as the leading voice for clinical counsellors and psychotherapists in British Columbia.
Across all areas of our work, our focus has remained clear: to advance the profession, support our members, and improve access to high-quality mental health care for the public.
The need for mental health services in British Columbia has never been more evident.
Nearly one in four British Columbians report experiencing poor or fair mental health, and many continue to face significant wait times or barriers to accessing timely care.
At the same time, family physicians—often the first point of contact—are under increasing pressure, and access to publicly funded psychological assessment and diagnosis remains limited, with long waitlists across the province. This highlights a growing gap in the healthcare system—one that a broader, well-trained mental health workforce, including clinical counsellors and psychotherapists, is well-positioned to help address.
BCACC and our members are part of the solution.
Through our Find a Counsellor directory alone, we facilitated more than 125,000 connections between British Columbians and qualified mental health professionals this year—helping individuals and families access care when and where they need it. As demand continues to grow, Registered Clinical Counsellors (RCCs) are playing an increasingly vital role in expanding access to mental health services across the province.
We are also actively working to reduce barriers and stigma associated with accessing care. Through our Connection to Care initiative — including targeted programs supporting municipal and forestry employees—we are helping individuals access timely, culturally relevant, and professional counselling services. These programs not only increase access, but also normalize seeking support, particularly in sectors where stigma has historically been a barrier.
Public engagement continues to grow. Our Matters of the Mind series saw a significant increase in participation, reflecting a broader shift toward openness and dialogue around mental health. Through media engagement, public awareness campaigns, and cross-sector partnerships, BCACC continues to elevate the profile of the profession and reinforce the essential role of clinical counsellors/psychotherapists within the broader healthcare system.
For our members, BCACC remains a strong advocate and trusted partner. This year, we achieved meaningful progress in expanding recognition and opportunities for practice, including fee increases with key funders, expanded acceptance of RCC services, and new pathways for service delivery. We also supported members in navigating important changes—such as the removal of GST on psychotherapy services—while continuing to provide guidance on ethics, standards of practice, and emerging clinical issues.
BCACC is also helping to shape the future of mental health practice in Canada.
This year, we released Canada’s first guidelines on artificial intelligence and psychedelics in clinical care, demonstrating leadership in areas that are rapidly evolving and increasingly relevant to both practitioners and the public.
Our continued growth reflects the value and impact of this work. With more than 9,500 Registered Clinical Counsellors and over 1,200 student members, BCACC represents a rapidly expanding community of skilled professionals. This growing workforce is essential to meeting the province’s mental health needs—both now and in the future.
As British Columbia moves toward regulation under the Health Professions and Occupations Act (HPOA), BCACC has played a constructive and collaborative role in supporting the evolution of the profession. Importantly, this transition presents an opportunity to more fully integrate clinical counsellors and psychotherapists into the healthcare system. Enabling appropriately trained and certified practitioners to contribute more fully—potentially including diagnosis within a defined scope—has the potential to improve access, reduce system pressures, and better serve the public.
We have worked closely with government, the emerging regulatory college, and national partners to help ensure that the framework reflects both the realities of practice and the needs of the public. At the same time, we continue to equip our members with the information, tools, and supports they need to make informed decisions about their professional pathways.
Internally, we have continued to invest in strong governance and operational excellence. This includes a fully staffed and engaged Board of Directors, enhanced governance policies, and ongoing improvements to our systems and processes—ensuring that BCACC remains responsive, resilient, and focused on delivering value to our members.
Taken together, these achievements reflect an organization that is not only growing, but leading. BCACC is making a meaningful difference—for the public, for our members, and for the future of mental health care in British Columbia.
We thank our members, partners, and stakeholders for their continued trust and collaboration. We look forward to the year ahead with confidence and a shared commitment to advancing the profession and improving mental health outcomes for all.
new rccs in 2025
total members
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