Psychologist (AKA Registered Psychologist)
- Training:
- university undergraduate degree (4 yrs)
- PhD or PsyD (5-7yrs)
- Residency (1yr)
- Supervised practical experience (2200hrs)
- trained in research, program development and talk therapy
- DO NOT usually prescribe medication
- DO assessment and diagnosis
- Do talk therapy
- Regulated Health Care Professionals in BC
- Regulated by the College of Psychologists of BC who manage complaints
- Not usually covered by BC Medical Services Plan
- Often covered by Extended Health
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Psychiatrist (AKA Specialist Physician)
- Training
- university undergraduate degree (4yrs)
- medical school (4yrs)
- Psychiatry Residency (5yrs)
- Supervised practical experience (during residency)
- trained in medication and talk therapy
- DO prescribe medication
- DO assessment, diagnosis
- Some do talk therapy
- Regulated Health Care Professionals in BC
- Regulated by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC who manage complaints
- Often covered by BC Medical Services plan
- NOT usually covered by Extended Health
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LEARN MORE about BC’s Regulated Health Professions
LIST of BC’s Regulated Health Care Professions
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Registered Clinical Counselor (AKA RCC)
- Training
- university undergraduate degree (4yrs)
- Usually a Master’s degree (2yrs)
- Supervised practice (100hrs)
- trained in talk therapy and some research
- DO NOT prescribe medication
- DO talk therapy
- NOT Regulated Health Care Professionals in BC
- RCCs are members of BC Association of Clinical Counselors who investigate complaints
- NOT covered by BC Medical Services plan
- Sometimes covered by Extended Health
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Counselor, therapist, life coach, etc…
- In BC, ANYONE can use these terms. Some may be well trained and skilled and some may not.
- Training
- Variable to none
- DO NOT prescribe medication
- DO talk therapy
- NOT Regulated Health Care Professionals in BC
- NOT covered by BC Medical Services plan
- NOT usually covered by Extended Health
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