What is the Difference Between a Registered Psychologist and A Canadian Certified Counsellor?

Registered Psychologists (R. Psych) and Canadian Certified Counsellors (CCC) are mental health professionals. Both can assess and treat mental health conditions, and provide individual or group therapy. They cannot prescribe medications like psychiatrists. Here are a few key differences:

 
 

Registered Psychologist

Psychologists assess, diagnose, and treat psychological, emotional, behavioural concerns. To become a psychologist in Alberta, you must register with the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP). CAP will first evaluate your academic credentials. In Alberta, a psychologist will have a masters or doctorate (PhD or PsyD) degree. A psychologist will also meet a number of educational and experiential requirements including 1600 hours of supervised practice and the completion of licensing exams. In Alberta, only people who have met the criteria laid out by the College of Alberta Psychologists may call themselves Psychologists.

 

Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC)

Counselling/psychotherapy is the skilled and principled use of relationship to facilitate self-knowledge, emotional acceptance and growth and the optimal development of personal resources. In Canada, a CCC may have either a masters or doctorate degree. The CCC is a protected designation available only to Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA) professional members whose application was evaluated and approved. During the approval process, the CCPA evaluates the members’ degree in counseling, courses completed, internship, work experience and qualifications to determine how they meet CCPA requirements.

 

INsurance Information

If you are seeing a Registered Psychologist at our clinic, we are able to direct bill to many insurance companies. Please contact Chantel if you have any questions about your insurance coverage.

If you are seeing a CCC at our clinic, you may have to pay upfront and submit your receipt to your insurance company. Below is a list of the current insurance companies within Canada that cover counselling services provided by a Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC):

Full coverage:

  • Green Shield, Equitable Life of Canada

  • Pacific Blue Cross

  • ClaimSecure

Some coverage depending on your plan:

  • Sun Life

  • Manulife

  • Alberta Blue Cross

  • Great West Life