Licensed Registered Social Workers serving clients across British Columbia, online and in select cities in person. Watch intro videos, compare specialties, and book a free 15-minute consultation directly.
Licensed Registered Social Workers based and insured in British Columbia.
Registered Social Worker
Registered Social Worker
Registered Social Worker
Registered Social Worker
Out-of-province licensed Registered Social Workers insured to provide online therapy in British Columbia. Timezone availability may vary.
Registered Social Worker
Registered Social Worker
Registered Social Worker
Registered Social Worker
Registered Social Worker
Registered Social Worker
Registered Social Worker (RSW) is a protected title in British Columbia and is regulated by the BC College of Social Workers (BCCSW). To use the designation, a clinician must hold a social work degree, complete supervised practice hours, and meet the College's ongoing standards for ethics and competence.
RSWs bring a whole-person, systems-informed approach to therapy. Their training goes beyond understanding thoughts, emotions, and behaviour to consider the broader circumstances that shape a person’s well-being, including relationships, family dynamics, finances, and culture. This perspective can be especially valuable when mental health concerns are closely connected to life circumstances or when someone is navigating multiple challenges at once.
RSWs available to BC residents on First Session are located across the province, from Vancouver and Victoria to smaller centres such as Kamloops and Prince George. First Session also connects BC residents with RSWs licensed elsewhere in Canada who are insured and able to provide online therapy to clients in British Columbia.
In-person RSW availability on First Session varies significantly across BC. Vancouver, Victoria, and Surrey have a larger pool of RSWs, while options may be more limited in smaller, more remote communities. Online sessions make it possible to access an RSW regardless of where you live in the province, which can be especially useful if you’re outside a major centre or have limited local options. For many common concerns, research suggests that online therapy can be as effective as in-person therapy. What matters most is finding a therapist whose approach and experience are a good fit for you.
RSW is one of several professional designations you’ll commonly see when looking for a therapist in BC, alongside RCC (Registered Clinical Counsellor) and CCC (Canadian Certified Counsellor). All are legitimate, regulated paths into therapy. The difference is largely training background. RSWs come through social work programs, RCCs through counselling-specific programs. The designation itself is only one factor to consider. A therapist’s areas of expertise, therapeutic approach, experience, and fit with your needs are often more important when choosing someone to work with.
RSW session rates across BC typically range from $110 to $210 per session, with rates varying by location, experience, and practice setting. You can see each RSW’s current session rate directly on their First Session profile. RSW services are commonly covered by extended health and employee benefits plans in BC, alongside designations such as RCC and Registered Psychologist. However, coverage varies between insurers and individual plans, so it's worth confirming the terms of your specific policy.
RSWs serving British Columbia support clients with a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship challenges, grief, burnout, life transitions, stress, and family issues. On First Session, you can filter therapists by the concerns you’d like support with and explore profiles to find someone whose experience matches your needs.
Therapists can take very different approaches to the same concern. Some RSWs use structured, skills-based approaches such as CBT, while others may take a more relational, trauma-informed, mindfulness-based, or systems-focused approach. Many therapists draw from several approaches depending on the person and what they’re working on. If you have a preference, or simply want to understand how a therapist works, look for their approach on their First Session profile and ask about it during your consultation.
Every therapist profile on First Session includes a short video introduction, so you can get a sense of each therapist's personality, communication style, and approach before booking. Research suggests that the connection you feel with your therapist is one of the strongest predictors of successful therapy, so it's important to connect with someone who feels like the right fit.
Before booking, consider the practical factors that will affect whether therapy works for you over time. Look at the therapist’s session rate, availability, whether they offer online or in-person sessions, and whether their services are likely to be covered by your benefits plan.
Every therapist on First Session offers a free 15-minute consultation. It’s an opportunity to ask questions, talk about what you’re looking for, and get a sense of whether the therapist feels like the right fit before committing to ongoing therapy.
“I wish I’d known about this platform sooner! I loved the introductory videos–this is what helped me choose the therapist to book an intro consultation with.”
First Session Client, 2025
Compatibility is the most important factor when choosing a social worker. But finding the right fit isn’t easy. First Session takes the time, guesswork, and emotional labour out of that process.
Narrow your search to a list of rigorously vetted therapists you’ll actually consider booking. Because finding a therapist shouldn’t involve reading endless generic bios.
Decide if a therapist is the right fit for you before booking with interview videos and in-depth bios. No more switching or re-telling your private feelings and story
Schedule an available session or free consultation right from the First Session platform. No 3rd party intake calls or back and forth emailing required.
Both RSWs and RCCs are established professional credentials you may encounter when looking for a therapist in BC, but they come from different training backgrounds. RSWs (Registered Social Workers) are trained through social work programs and registered with the BC College of Social Workers (BCCSW). Their training combines clinical practice with an understanding of family, community, social, and systemic factors.
RCCs (Registered Clinical Counsellors) typically come through counselling-focused training and are registered with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC). When choosing between an RSW and RCC, the therapist’s experience, areas of focus, therapeutic approach, and fit with your needs may be more important than the designation itself.
Most extended health and employee benefits plans in BC cover RSW sessions, though coverage varies by specific plan and employer. Always check your policy details directly.
Yes. Online therapy can make it possible to work with an RSW even if few therapists practice in your local community. RSWs on First Session who are able to provide services to BC residents can offer online sessions to clients across the province. For many common concerns, including anxiety, depression, stress, relationship difficulties, and life transitions, online therapy can be an effective alternative to meeting in person.
No. RSWs work with people experiencing a wide range of mental health and life concerns. RSWs on First Session support clients with anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, addiction, relationship and family issues, burnout, stress, and more. Individual therapists often have particular areas of specialization, so it's worth reviewing their profile to find someone with experience relevant to what you're looking for.
RSWs on First Session undergo a vetting process during onboarding. You can also verify an RSW's registration directly through the BC College of Social Workers, which maintains a public register of social workers in British Columbia.
RSW session rates on First Session typically range from $110 to $210 per session, though costs vary among individual practitioners and may reflect factors such as experience, location, and practice setting. Each RSW's First Session profile displays their current session rate, so you can compare costs before booking a consultation.
Browse licensed, BC-insured Registered Social Workers, watch their intro videos, and book a free 15-minute consultation. Anywhere in the province.
