Information About Certification
The Bhutan Board for Certified Counselors (BBCC) was launched on the 9th of August 2013, under the patronage of Her Majesty Gyalyum Sangay Choden Wangchuck’s noble initiative to develop a cadre of mental health professionals providing counseling services to address a wide variety of areas, including career development, violence, child protection, trauma, abuse, suicide, rape, substance abuse, family relationships, school and education, HIV, depression, anxiety, natural disasters, and emergencies. BBCC was founded to develop professional standards and procedures for the certification of counseling professionals to practice in Bhutan. BBCC is also mandated to create awareness about mental health and well-being and the need for counseling services, as well as to develop and provide trainings.
Ultimately, the purpose of BBCC is the monitoring of the profession and the protection of clients through standardizing the practice of counseling in the country, monitoring and supervising counselors, maintaining the national network of counseling professionals, facilitating continuing education, awarding certification and the licensure to practice, connecting with other concerned agencies to support the profession, and aligning with international and national standards and practices.
Achievements related to BBCC certification:
- Certification procedures began in January 2017.
- The Mental Health Facilitator program training became a requirement for certification.
- Application procedures, case procedures, and ethical procedures have been created.
- Creation of the Guidelines for the National Certification of Counseling Professionals in Bhutan has been completed.
- The Bhutan Medical and Health Council has recognized BBCC as a competent authority to professionalize counseling in Bhutan.
BBCC Board of Certification Review Committee Members
Name | Designation | Address | Email ID | Contact No. |
---|---|---|---|---|
Sonam Jamtsho | Dy. Chief Program officer | Drug Demand Reduction | sjamtsho@bnca.gov.bt | 17518348 |
Kezang Dukpa | Senior Counselor | CECD, DYS, MoE | kdukpa@moe.gov.bt | 17609443 |
Reena Thapa | Chief Program Officer | CECD, DYS, MoE | reenathapa@moe.gov.bt | 17515323/77765323 |
Tshering Wangmo | Lecturer | KGUMSB, FNPH | tsheringcw8@fnph.edu.bt | 77406188 |
Naina Kala Gurung | Specialist | Royal Academy | nainakalag@gmail.com | 17555634 |
Dorji Tshering | Chief Program Officer | Sorig Wellness and Spiritual Health Promotion Division, DTM, MoH | dorjit@health.gov.bt | 17721469 |
Dechen Doma | Counseling Head | SCE, Samtse | ddoma.sce@rub.edu.bt | 17397040 |
Nima Sangay | Dy. Registrar | BMHC | nsangay@health.gov.bt | 17634299 |
Tashi Pelzom | Specialist | DYS, MoE | tpelzom@moe.gov.bt | 17617723 |
Nima Damdrul | Chief Program Officer | DDR, BNCA | ndamdul@bnca.gov.bt | 77629304 |
Dr. D.K. Nirola | Psychiatrist | Head, Psychiatry Dept. JDWNRH | dknirola@jdwnrh.gov.bt | 17162261 |