A registered clinical counsellor is specifically trained to help people improve and maintain their mental health and well-being.
Tips & Links
Seeking counselling can help individuals living with a health condition cope with emotional stress, anxiety, and depression that may arise from their diagnosis. Clinical counsellors can create a supportive space to explore feelings, improve mental well-being, and develop strategies for managing both the condition and its impact on daily life.
Learn More
- Clinical counsellors are regulated by the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors.
- You do not need a referral from a health care professional to see a clinical counsellor. However, your physician, family members, or those close to you may suggest you seek help for emotional health or mental illness support.
- Counselling BC offers a comprehensive list of clinical counsellors who can help. Read their biographies to identify ones with whom you might feel comfortable. Most offer a 15-minute consultation for free. In most cases, this type of counselling is fee for service.
- Seek out clinical counsellors in private practice, hospitals, care facilities, rehabilitation centres, employee assistance programs, and education.
Things You Can Do
- Learn about your diagnosis or health condition to help you feel more in control as this can help reduce feelings of anxiety or depression.
- Learn about the warning signs of depression, anxiety, suicide, substance addictions, disordered eating, and types of mental illness.
- Practice mindfulness to help you stay in the present moment, which can be useful when you feel overwhelmed by anxiety or fear about the future.
- Use deep breathing techniques as they can help calm your nervous system and reduce feelings of stress or panic.
- Define and protect your personal boundaries and privacy and confidentiality. Know what you want to share, when, and with whom.
- Consider complementary therapies such as acupuncture, massage, or aromatherapy to help relieve stress and physical discomfort.
- Consider trying yoga, chair yoga, pilates or tai Chi to learn relaxation and breathing techniques. Many classes are available online at no charge.
- Explore ways to share your feelings and needs with others you trust.
- Look into condition-specific support groups, online or in person, to meet with others who are going through similar experiences.
- Practice self-compassion by giving yourself time and space to deal with the potential changes in your health and lifestyle plans.
- Share with your physician or nurse practitioner counselling and new therapies you are exploring.
Find & Get Support
- If you are worried about yourself or someone you care for, you can complete an online screening test to see how you are doing from ‘Here to Help” BC Partners for Mental Health.
- Explore the list of emotional health and counselling services provided by ‘Pathways’ from the Doctors of BC.
- Check out the list of virtual mental health services including how to get immediate help, free or low-cost counselling, workplace supports, and targeted services for youth, students, seniors, and indigenous people from the Government of BC.
- Call BC211, a free, confidential helpline that can connect you to a wide range of mental health resources and services available in your area.
- Check out HelpStartsHere.gov.bc.ca from the Government of BC for a comprehensive list of walk-in clinics and resources.
- Check to see if you have Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) at your workplace which offers confidential counselling services.
- For students, ask if your university or college offers free, confidential one-on-one sessions for students in crisis.
- In some cases, clinical counselling can be covered by your health benefits. Review your extended health benefits and/or supplementary benefits.
- Learn if you are eligible (low income, mental health, first nations, and others) for BC supplementary benefits to cover the cost of these therapies from the Government of BC.
- If you or someone you care about talks about feeling helpless or is showing warning signs of suicide, find help right away. Call the BC Crisis Line at 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) or call 911.
Add your Clinical Counsellor to your My Health Care & Business Professionals PDF tool and My Care Partners PDF tool found in My People. Include their contact information and any questions you have for them. Save to digital and print files.