July 9th, 2026
The following letter is being published publicly in the interest of transparency and accountability. A copy has also been provided directly to BCACC. While addressed to BCACC’s Chief Executive Officer, the concerns raised are not mine alone, nor are they isolated. They relate to member autonomy, privacy, governance, and the relationship between BCACC and the professionals it exists to serve.
Dear valued clients and colleagues,
Today I published an open letter to the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC), the voluntary professional association representing the vast majority of Registered Clinical Counsellors (RCC’s) in British Columbia.
The letter was prompted by a recent incident in which the BCACC disclosed member information, including, in some cases, clinicians’ home addresses, to Pacific Blue Cross without first obtaining members’ consent. Although the BCACC advised its members privately and have since apologized and advised that changes have been made, the incident raises broader questions that deserve public discussion.
Though prompted by the privacy breach, the letter raises broader questions regarding governance, member autonomy, organizational priorities, and the appropriate role of a voluntary professional association.
At Coastality, we value transparency, procedural fairness, clearly defined professional roles, and timely decision-making as not merely ideals, but fundamental principles that help individuals and families navigate difficult circumstances with confidence. Public confidence in the organization that represents the majority of clinical counselling professionals in British Columbia is paramount.
BCACC publicly acknowledges that its complaint, inquiry, and remedial/disciplinary processes “typically take twelve months or more.” Against that backdrop, I believe it is reasonable to ask whether a voluntary professional association should be expanding into initiatives beyond its stated mandate (such as facilitating third-party insurer onboarding through the disclosure of private member information without their consent), while simultaneously acknowledging lengthy timelines in carrying out its core responsibilities. As most of you know, Coastality already offers direct billing with most major providers across the province and Canada, and this is a voluntary decision we have made, despite the additional administration, to facilitate timely and cost-effective access to mental wellness services. Direct billing has been the right decision for Coastality, but it is not the right decision for every practitioner or practice (and it wasn’t for us until we grew, either!). It is a decision that independent clinicians and practices should be free to make for themselves.
The open letter is not intended as criticism for the sake of criticism. It is an invitation to a broader discussion amongst the public and professionals about governance, organizational accountability, privacy, member autonomy, and the proper role of professional associations.
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