About

rethink is a private counselling service operated by me, Doug Elliott.

I hold a Masters of Arts degree in Counselling Psychology from City University.

I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) (see below for an explanation of what that means) with the B.C. Association of Clinical Counsellors, and I'm bound by their Code of Ethical Conduct & Standards of Clinical Practice.

I’m registered as a counselling provider with the Crime Victim Assistance Program, and with ICBC.

As well as my private work at rethink, I worked for 14 years in the healthcare field, in addiction and recovery.

I have received specialized training in Cognitive/Behavioural therapy, Individual and Group Psychotherapy, Human Sexuality, Family Systems, Narrative and Solution Focused therapy, Alcohol and Drug abuse (both youth and adult), Marital therapy, Mood disorders, Anger Management, and dream interpretation.

I have taken extensive training in the field of Existential Analysis, which is concerned with helping my clients make fundamental decisions that lead them to a deep understanding of their lives.

Originally from Toronto, Ontario, I moved to Vancouver in 1994. I have a wealth of experience working with people, both in and out of the field of psychology. My colleagues tell me that I bring a lot of positive energy and humour into their lives and this is reflected in my practice.

I enjoy music and play the piano; I also like getting outdoors to hike, snowboard, and work in my garden.

What is a Registered Clinical Counsellor?

A Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) is (1) a fully qualified mental health professional with a minimum of a Master's degree in counselling psychology or related studies, and (2) a registered member of the B.C. Association of Clinical Counsellors. This association maintains high standards that ensure the safety and well being of clients.

Sometimes called the “talking cure”, both counselling and psychotherapy take the form of conversations between the client and counsellor. This is a collaborative process in which the client discusses their concerns, problems, and current challenges. At all times, the needs of the client are paramount. The counsellor’s job is to assist the client in understanding and exploring the choices available to them, and to consider new possibilities. Counselling and psychotherapy may take different courses depending on the client’s specific situation and needs. For example, counselling tends to have a more here-and-now focus, and can be fairly brief, while psychotherapy tends to focus on deeper, historical problems. Both interventions help clients who find themselves “stuck” and are unable to experience the changes they desire. RCC fees typically range from $85 – $150/hour.

In many cases, people with extended health benefits can receive coverage for counselling costs through their insurance plan. See the “Hours & Rates” web page for more details on this.

Surprisingly, there are currently no regulations governing those working in the field of counselling in BC, although this situation is under review by the Health Professions Council. This means that anyone can call themselves a counsellor or therapist without any specialized training. It is important to ensure that the counsellor you are seeing is properly trained, and is part of a governing body that sets standards for education and has a formal code of ethics. You may wish to check to see if he or she is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) with the B.C. Association of Clinical Counsellors, or a Certified Canadian Counsellor (CCC) with the Canadian Counselling Association.