The Vancouver College of Counsellor Training (VCCT) offers enriching opportunities for personal growth and professional development through diplomas, certificates, and specialized programs for both new students and experienced practitioners. Located in the Vancouver Lower Mainland, VCCT welcomes Canadian and international students with flexible on-campus and distance education options. Courses combine practical skill training with theoretical knowledge based on current research and ethical standards, preparing students for counselling situations or further academic pursuits. Experienced instructors bring real-world expertise, ensuring a meaningful and impactful learning experience.
At Vancouver College of Counsellor Training, we provide a unique learning experience designed to help you grow personally and professionally.
Accredited with the EQA designation and EduCanada authorization, VCCT guarantees top-quality education standards for Canadian and international students.
Learn from experienced counsellors, psychologists, and therapists who bring practical insights and real-world expertise to every course.
Study on-campus or online with programs designed for personal and professional growth, conveniently located in Vancouver’s Lower Mainland.
Offering diplomas and certificates with a strong emphasis on practical skills and theoretical knowledge for success in the counselling field.
Many graduates of the Vancouver College of Counsellor Training have found rewarding careers in counselling and related fields, involving government contracts and positions, religious and secular organizations, community service agencies, corporations, and private counselling practice.
Although career success cannot be guaranteed for any applicant or student, we are pleased to provide the following long and short descriptions of career outcomes to inform prospective students who may be considering professional training at Vancouver College of Counsellor Training.
Go to the Admission page and request the catalogue package and application forms by sending your background information. You can also receive the application forms by email or regular mail and return them by email to info@vcct.ca, by fax to 1-604-688-9001 or by regular mail.
Participants at VCCT are mature individuals who may have been away from a classroom setting for several years. They tend to be people who have had a variety of life experiences and who have found that friends and acquaintances often feel safe to approach them with their problems.
They view VCCT training as an opportunity to acquire both background theory and practical skills in order to become professional counsellors who can earn an income from their heartfelt desire to help others.
Vancouver College of Counsellor Training is designated by the Private Training Institutions Branch (PTIB) under the Ministry of Advanced Education in British Columbia.
Counsellors are needed in all communities and regions of Canada. One of the most gratifying ways to provide counselling services is through private practice. You may also be interested in the many examples of career outcomes of graduates given on the Testimonials page on this site.
Many graduates of the Vancouver College of Counsellor Training are members of ACCT (Association of Cooperative Counselling Therapists) www.acctcounsellor.com who respect human dignity and diversity and promote deliberate practice and the continuous competency development of counsellors.
VCCT courses and programs have been designed by practicing Psychologists, Family Therapists and Counsellors to balance state of the art theory and practice with accesibility and interest to the widest spectrum of students. The result is a set of courses that both beginners and practioners can benefit from. Some students who come to VCCT may have no background in counselling theory, some are interested in a career transition and use VCCT as a stepping stone to university programs, some are working already in helping roles in their communites and want to formalize their training, some are interested in personal growth and personal recovery, some want to enhance interpersonal and communication skills generally, and some want to enhance their exsisting practioner skills.
Professional counselling is different than normal communication, because it is a process of interacting with others for a predictable helpful or therapeutic outcome. The profession of counselling is more than knowledge of processes and skills. It involves working within a framework of standards of ethics and practice, which are designed primarily to protect the interests of the person seeking help, and sometimes others related to them. Usually a counsellor is an accountable member of a professional association who requires that certain procedures will be followed by the counsellor.
Because of the challenges faced by human beings, professional counsellors are needed to help people find support and healing. Depression, as an example, is one of the leading problems faced by people everywhere. Professional counsellors make a living by providing a valuable service for people seeking help. Counselling services are provided in three major sectors: government positions, private non-profit agencies, and private for-profit services. Requirements for positions in counselling may be a certificate or diploma from a professional training institute such as VCCT, or a university degree. The most important factor contributing to the success of a counsellor, is the quality of the service provided to each and every client. After quality of service, the greatest challenge for counsellors in private practice is to network and develop their reputations.
Financial assistance is available to qualified applicants.
Examples of funding sources are:
To determine total tuition and to arrange for financial assistance, contact the Admissions Department.
Graduates of the Vancouver College of Counsellor Training, who are recommended by their clinical supervisor, may receive client referrals from our counselling department at the college. The Client Referral Service helps counsellors to build their clientele based on word-of-mouth referrals when clients who are benefiting, tell others about the counsellors, helpful services.
Support Services ensures that students are assisted in all areas of their studies while enrolled at VCCT including job search once a student has graduated and also to help register students with an association e.g., ACCT or CPCA, explaining the procedure needed. Students enrolled in distance education can contact support services for guidance with any assignments that need clarification.
Support Services ensures that the Sexual Misconduct Policy guidelines are adhered to.
Applicants to VCCT must meet specific requirements to ensure their readiness for the program. These include educational qualifications, emotional stability, English proficiency, and a successful application review process. Additional checks may apply for certain circumstances. Below is a detailed breakdown of the requirements.
Applicants must have completed Grade 12 or qualify as a mature student (19 years or older). This ensures they have the foundational knowledge for the program.
Emotional stability is essential for working in a counselling field, along with strong written and verbal English skills to communicate effectively.
Submit a completed application form, which will be reviewed and approved, followed by a successful interview to assess suitability.
Those applying from outside Canada must demonstrate English proficiency by submitting TOEFL/IELTS scores.
Additional reviews may apply if an applicant has a history of substance abuse, a criminal record, or past psychiatric challenges, ensuring readiness for the program.
Depending on circumstances, applicants may need to provide a criminal record check or reference letters to support their application.
Note: The admission requirements are firm and cannot be waived by VCCT or the applicant, ensuring a standard level of preparedness for all students.
Every Wednesday at 11 AM at our Campus in Vancouver
Our skills, in addition to providing indepth preparation for a successful career in counselling are the most transferable set of career skills that can be used in any employment setting. They are also the most impressive addition to your resume.
The Vancouver College of Counsellor Training (VCCT) offers enriching opportunities for personal growth and professional development through diplomas, certificates, and specialized programs for both new students and experienced practitioners. Located in the Vancouver Lower Mainland, VCCT welcomes Canadian and international students with flexible on-campus and distance education options.
Copyright © 2025 Vancouver College of Counsellor Training | All Rights Reserved