RTC vs RCC: what the letters mean, and whether your plan covers them
The letters after a counsellor’s name mostly tell you two things: which association they answer to, and whether your benefits will pay. Here’s the plain version, with sources.
The short answer
Counselling isn’t a provincially regulated profession in BC yet. So the letters after a counsellor’s name tell you which professional association they belong to, what training that association asked for, and whose code of ethics and complaints process they answer to. In practice, they also decide whether your benefits plan pays.
- RCC, Registered Clinical Counsellor: a member of the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC). BCACC asks for a master’s degree in counselling or a related field, plus supervised clinical hours. RCC is the counselling designation BC benefit plans name most often.
- RTC, Registered Therapeutic Counsellor: a member of the Association of Cooperative Counselling Therapists of Canada (ACCT). ACCT sets its own training and practicum standards, and many RTCs trained through a college counselling diploma rather than a master’s. On our team, Davis Wiggs and Jasneet Purewal are RTCs.
- RTCc, RTC candidate: trained, and completing supervised hours toward full RTC status. Chantelle Efird is an RTCc, supervised by a registered counselling supervisor.
- RP and RP (Qualifying), Registered Psychotherapist: a member of a regulated college, such as the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). “Qualifying” means the person is completing supervised practice toward full registration. Madison Morrison is an RP (Qualifying) with CRPO, registered in Ontario only.
You may also see CCC (Canadian Certified Counsellor, from the national CCPA) and RSW (Registered Social Worker, regulated by the BC College of Social Workers).
Is one better than the other?
Not in a way the letters alone can tell you. A master’s degree means more classroom training on paper. It doesn’t tell you whether someone has worked with your problem for years, or whether you’ll trust them.
Research on what makes counselling work keeps pointing at the same things: the fit between you and your counsellor, and their experience with what you’re dealing with. So choose by specialty first, then check the practical details. Our counsellors page is set up that way.
The letters do matter for one practical thing: your benefits.
Which insurers recognize ACCT counsellors (RTC)
This is what ACCT and practising counsellors report as of October 2026. It’s guidance, not a promise. Your plan’s wording decides.
- Pacific Blue Cross: reimburses ACCT designations under plans that cover clinical counsellors. Since July 2025, ACCT members can also bill Pacific Blue Cross directly.
- Sun Life: ACCT is on its approved list, but only if your policy says counselling or psychotherapy is covered.
- GreenShield: can cover ACCT counsellors on plans that include counsellors, if the counsellor has a GreenShield provider account.
- Equitable Life and iA Financial Group: recognize ACCT members in good standing, if your plan includes counselling.
- ClaimSecure: covers RTCs only if your policy says “counsellors”. If it says “clinical counsellors”, RTCs usually aren’t covered.
- Manulife: reviews counsellors case by case.
- Canada Life: has no formal agreement with ACCT and decides case by case. Some counsellors report RTC claims are often refused.
Two more things worth knowing. ACCT says candidates’ (RTCc) services may not be covered, which is why Chantelle’s fee is low. And First Nations Health Benefits currently require other designations, so RTC sessions aren’t eligible there.
TELUS Health eClaims, which you’ll see on our fees and insurance page, isn’t an insurer. It’s a system that sends a claim to your insurer and tells you on the spot whether it’s covered.
The exact question to ask your insurer
Call the number on your benefits card, or ask HR, and say:
“Does my plan cover counselling by a Registered Therapeutic Counsellor (RTC) with the Association of Cooperative Counselling Therapists of Canada (ACCT)? If my plan says ‘clinical counsellor’, does that include an RTC? What’s my yearly maximum, and how much is left?”
For Madison, ask: “Does my plan cover a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario?”
Then ask whether your counsellor can bill them directly. Write down the answer, the date and the name of the person you spoke to.
What changes in 2027
Psychotherapy becomes a regulated profession in BC on November 29, 2027, under the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC. After that, only licensed people can use the title “psychotherapist”. ACCT says existing voluntary credentials won’t automatically become licences. We’ll update titles on this site when our counsellors’ status changes.
If your plan says no
You still have options. Chantelle’s sessions are $60, with pro bono by arrangement. Davis and Madison offer a sliding scale. Our guide to low-cost and free counselling in BC lists the rest, including free services we’d point you to ourselves.
Common questions
Is an RTC a real counsellor?
Yes. RTCs are trained counsellors who belong to a professional association with a code of ethics and a complaints process. The designation is different from RCC, not fake. It matters most for insurance.
Does Pacific Blue Cross cover RTCs?
Usually, if your plan includes clinical counsellors. Check your plan, then ask us about direct billing.
What does “registered” mean if counselling isn’t regulated?
It means registered with a voluntary professional association, not licensed by the province. That changes for psychotherapy in November 2027.
Can I check a counsellor’s registration?
Yes. Ask for their association and member number. Davis’s ACCT number is 2862, and Madison’s CRPO number is 15911.
References
- ACCT: Insurance reimbursement (opens in a new tab)
- ACCT: Regulation across Canada (opens in a new tab)
- BCACC: RCC eligibility (opens in a new tab)
- Pacific Blue Cross: direct billing for mental health providers in BC (opens in a new tab)
- TELUS Health eClaims (opens in a new tab)
- FNHA: mental health providers (opens in a new tab)
- CHCPBC: regulating psychotherapists (opens in a new tab)
- CRPO: College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (opens in a new tab)
Ask us in a free consultation
Not sure what your plan covers? Bring the question to a free consultation and we’ll go through it with you.
Next you’ll pick a time in Jane, our secure booking system. It asks for your name, email and phone.
Coverage is decided by your plan, not by us.