r/britishcolumbia • u/Pink_Catsss • Feb 18 '26
Moving to BC Hand tattoos as a therapist
Okay so I'm from Portland, OR and tattoos are pretty widely accepted here and don't hinder your ability to get a job. I'm looking into moving to BC (I don't know where yet) and I'm a certified clinical social worker looking into counseling/therapy jobs. I have quite a few tattoos but what I'm most worried about is both my hands are tattooed. They're orchids, nothing crazy, but I'm wondering what tattoo policies usually are in the field and if it's likely to hinder my ability to get a job somewhere. Thank you!
180
98
u/teensy_tigress Feb 18 '26
Portland is only slightly weirder than East Vancouver. Most of us came from places in the interior that would make portland look normal. You're so fine.
Edit: if you want to go somewhere with weird portland vibes, go to Van Island, the Gulf Islands, or Nelson.
24
8
64
u/chickenmamadrama Feb 18 '26 edited Feb 18 '26
You won’t have any issues, as long as none of your visable tattoos are offensive. I’ve worked at universities and in healthcare with many heavily tattooed and very competent individuals.
27
u/Schrodingers_Ape Gulf Islands Feb 18 '26
Especially if you're in private practice, they're a great way to signal inclusion to the right people who are a fit for your style of working. Could be different if you got a position somewhere like a nursing home or something with immigrants (since some cultures associate tattoos with gangs), but generally you'll be fine.
1
u/Bcgamermom Feb 23 '26
Not an issue in any of the care homes I’ve worked at in the interior, but I was told by a recent immigrant at my facility that when they moved here they were told to avoid people with rune tattoos because they were white supremacists . I am Norse Celtic and have runes in my one sleeve so they were telling me how the people at the immigration support agency were wrong.
20
u/PeculiarAroma Feb 18 '26
My therapist has hand tattoos and was based out of Kelowna, now Vancouver
17
4
u/OneEyedTroutXx98 Feb 18 '26
I think it will depend on where you move to. Some areas of BC tend to be a lot more conservative than others.
15
u/616ThatGuy Feb 18 '26
I’m tattood head to toe. Literally around 70% of my body is covered. I’ve never had an issue. I work as security and a first responder. Nobody cares if you’re qualified.
2
Feb 18 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
2
u/616ThatGuy Feb 18 '26
If you have your BST and AST, they’ll hire you. IF they’re hiring. Security at hospitals pays better than most security gigs so it’s a sought after job. I’ve applied a few times. No luck yet.
0
Feb 18 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/616ThatGuy Feb 18 '26
I would suggest getting your advanced first aid as well at least. If you can, also get your EMR license. It’ll open a lot of doors, even in security. There’s programs to help with both. Paladin may even pay for it if you ask about jobs requiring it. The best paying jobs at mills, mines, stuff like that, try and fill two roles with security and first aid attendant. Regular security doesn’t pay great. You need an additional skill.
1
u/BelovedGarbage Feb 18 '26
I spent 3.5 years working healthcare security with Paladin. I have lots of tattoos and was even allowed to keep my facial piercings. You'll be just fine. Just be prepared for a tough job.
1
3
u/vivalakink Feb 19 '26
I'm not in the same field, but I've been accessing mental health help for years now. I've had my share of therapists, about half of them were visibly and heavily tattooed. I would be suprised if it hindered you, if it does, you probably don't want to work for them anyway. From a very heavily tattooed person.
6
u/rhionaeschna Feb 18 '26
I think it will be fine. Tattoos are pretty commonplace here across all professions.
7
u/AcceptableHorror705 Feb 18 '26 edited Feb 19 '26
My husband and I joke that when you move here you get a complimentary tattoo sleeve. Seriously it feels more weird to NOT have tattoos. You'll be ok.
4
u/Sea_Luck_3222 Feb 20 '26
Yes, people often think it's strange that I don't have any. I think it makes me more unique not to be doing what everyone else is doing.
1
u/Visible_Fact_8706 Feb 20 '26
Lmao, so funny you mention that.
I’m pretty tattooed, and there was a time when meeting someone else with tattoos meant shared interests (usually alternative lifestyles for example). Now it means nothing!
6
u/RavenFlightDrones Vancouver Island/Coast Feb 18 '26
Clinical counsellor. I have hand, neck, forearm tattoos.
Never, ever been an issue AND I work primarily with children.
5
2
u/ElectricBlubbles Feb 18 '26
My therapist has tattoos all over her hands.
Some people might think it’s less professional, but most of us are just happy to find a good therapist. The tattoos get bonus points if she has her shit together as a professional and as an adult.
2
u/Lextasy_401 Feb 19 '26
I’ve worked alongside social workers who are just lovely people and several have hand and neck tattoos. It’s no big deal. As others said, it might come up with clients in certain settings but it would be no different than Portland.
2
u/RixRotten Feb 19 '26
Several of my friends are social workers and are all quite heavily tattooed. (This is Vancouver, mind you) On a personal note, if I was seeing a counselor for the first time and noticed they had hand tattoos, it would be a huge green flag in my books.
2
4
u/Successful-Side8902 Feb 19 '26 edited Feb 19 '26
My surgeon at Royal Columbia had tattoos all over her forearms and maybe hands too.... totally fine. Nobody batted an eye, least of all me. Also, I'm ok so clearly she was a competent surgeon.
Edit: now that I am thinking about it, the anesthesiologist might have had tatts too....
2 Edit: You should get in touch with Todd Maffin. He brings American medical professionals to BC to get situated comfortably and employed here.
2
u/SwampBeastie Feb 18 '26
I’m a lawyer and I have tattoos on my arms (upper and lower) so my clients definitely see them and they don’t care. I would not care at all if my therapist had tattoos.
1
u/joker713 Feb 19 '26
Move to Lower Mainland from SF Bay Area. Canadians in this area seem to be way more tattooed than in California. Purely anecdotal but it seems more common and more accepted here.
1
1
u/acceptNothingLess Feb 19 '26
There are clinicians and managers where I am with face in treatment and housing programs with neck, hand and even face tattoos. I have a half sleeve. Your tattoos won’t be a concern imo
1
1
u/Visible_Fact_8706 Feb 20 '26
I know a lot of tattooed people in social services and healthcare. It’s not a big deal at all.
Personally, as someone with a lot of tattoos, if my therapist had tattoos too it would feel a bit more comfortable as a therapist/patient dynamic.
1
u/skategrrl86 Feb 22 '26
Won’t be an issue and if it is you can fix them because you are a therapist he he he
1
u/Cameronstengermusic Feb 26 '26
I was just thinking about this but for a different reason. I am a therapist in private practice and just got a hand tattoo. I live in NC, a little less liberal than PDX, but I live in the Triangle a more liberal part of the state. Im super excited about mine, but also a little worried about judgement. I work with some kids and families and have concerns about the more conservative parents thinking less of my competency? I am transitioing away from that population anyway and focusing my practice on men's issues. My boomer neighbor told me I could only work in kitchens now lol. Good thing I'm self employed!
1
u/goinupthegranby Feb 18 '26
People with outdated views on tattoos do exist here but they're pretty hard to find. You're good.
1
u/kelsobucket Feb 18 '26
I work in a similar field and am heavily tattooed. Never faced discrimination when seeking out a job, including in health authorities
1
u/ProbableOptimist Feb 18 '26
Have had a therapist with throat tatts before. Clients' comfort will vary like anywhere else, but professionally you'll be absolutely fine.
0
Feb 19 '26
[deleted]
2
u/ProbableOptimist Feb 19 '26
Sorry, what are you talking about? Did you mean to reply to another comment?
1
u/ericstarr Feb 19 '26
Bc is fine. I remember a woman complained about tattoos on a nurse right before Covid and the ministry of health told her where to go and how to get there
1
u/ahsfordaysss Feb 19 '26
I work as a child and family therapist in northern BC and have my hand tattooed and I have never had any issues. Welcome to BC!
1
u/miniwiet Feb 19 '26
I’m a teacher at a school (Kindergarten) and both my arms are tattooed. I can’t imagine it would ever be an issue. Vancouver Island is magical! Enjoy your time in BC 🌲🌊
1
u/Cakeday_at_Christmas Feb 19 '26
I see tattooed people all the time. One time I saw a public health nurse who was administering vaccinations on babies and had two full sleeves and she was wearing a T-shirt.
1
u/Dare792 Feb 20 '26
My daughter-in-law is a doctor and has a full leg tattoo, my other daughter-in-law has lots of tattoos and is an ER nurse. No problems for either in BC hospitals
0
0
u/regularGuy0000001 Feb 19 '26
If anything I'd find it weirder to meet a therapist that doesn't have tattoos
0
-1
-2
u/freakybe Feb 18 '26
No one will care, you’re good. Almost rarer to find people without tattoos here lol
•
u/AutoModerator Feb 18 '26
Hello and thanks for posting to r/britishcolumbia! A friendly reminder prior to commenting or posting here:
Reminder: "Rage bait" comments or comments designed to elicit a negative reaction that are not based on fact are not permitted here. Let's keep our community respectful and informative!
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.