Our History
Three decades of
growth & connection.
Since 1996, Rhodes Wellness College has continued to evolve alongside the people and communities it serves. From one classroom in Vancouver to a diverse community of students learning across Canada, our history reflects an ongoing commitment to experiential education, meaningful connection, and preparing people to support the wellbeing of others.
1996 — 2026
The Rhodes Story
Explore the people, programs and defining moments that have shaped Rhodes Wellness College over the past 30 years.
Beginning with today
2026
Growth & Innovation
Today
Expanding the ways we support wellbeing
Rhodes continues to evolve in response to the changing health and wellness landscape. Building on its foundation in counselling, coaching and nutrition, the College expands its educational offerings to include Registered Massage Therapy and Professional Animal-Assisted Wellness Therapy. These programs create new career pathways while broadening the ways Rhodes graduates can support physical, emotional and mental wellbeing.
2025
A New Home
Rhodes moves to Mount Pleasant
Rhodes begins a new chapter at 116 West 6th Avenue in Vancouver's Mount Pleasant neighbourhood. The multi-floor campus places students and faculty in one of Vancouver's most creative and connected communities. The move provides a new environment for Rhodes to continue growing while remaining connected to the community experience that has always been central to the College.
2024
New Milestones
500 students for the first time
In fall 2024, Rhodes welcomes more than 500 students for the first time in its history. The milestone reflects the College's development from a small Vancouver school into a growing wellness education community preparing students for careers in counselling, coaching, nutrition and end-of-life care.
End-of-Life Doula education begins
Twenty-three students begin Rhodes' End-of-Life Doula Certificate program. The program introduces another dimension to Rhodes' approach to wellness education, preparing students to provide informed and compassionate support to individuals and families during one of life's most personal transitions.
2023
Across Canada
A growing community from coast to coast
In September 2023, the Rhodes student body surpasses 400 students for the first time. As online education extends the College's reach across Canada, students from many different backgrounds begin new chapters at Rhodes. Among them is Rob Wynen, a former Bowen Island councillor who enters the Professional Counsellor program as he moves from a career in public service toward counselling.
2022
Community
The first Northern Indigenous Counselling cohort graduates
Fifteen students from the Northern Indigenous Counselling program celebrate their graduation at the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly. The milestone represents the culmination of a program designed to increase access to professional counselling education for Indigenous learners in northern Canada and strengthen the availability of culturally relevant counselling support within northern communities.
2021
Connection & Support
Professional Integrative Nutrition launches
Rhodes introduces the Professional Integrative Nutrition Diploma, combining holistic nutrition education with professional counselling skills and broadening the College's multidisciplinary approach to wellness.
Building connection online
Virtual cafés, practice labs, student assemblies and additional academic and wellbeing events expand the online Rhodes experience, helping students practise skills, receive support and build relationships across cohorts.
Diversity, inclusion and reflection
Students establish Rhodes' first Diversity & Inclusion Committee. Later that year the College holds its first observance of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, creating space for Indigenous students to share personal and family stories with the broader College community.
2020
A Year of Change
Rhodes adapts, expands and moves online
March 2020 brings one of the largest operational changes in Rhodes' history as full-time programs transition online. Later that year, the Northern Indigenous Counselling program begins with 18 students from the Northwest Territories, the Vancouver School of Healing Arts joins the Rhodes family, and the College holds its first online graduations.
2019
Leadership
A new chapter of leadership
Ben Colling and Paul Leong acquire Rhodes Wellness College. Ben becomes President, while founder Bea Rhodes remains closely involved as Senior Education Advisor and faculty member. The transition brings new leadership while preserving the educational philosophy and experiential approach that had shaped Rhodes since its earliest years.
2018
Accessibility
Counselling education becomes more flexible
Rhodes launches the Life Skills Counsellor Certificate in a part-time online format, making professional counselling education more accessible to students balancing employment, family and other commitments. Live instruction and small cohort sizes preserve the interaction and individualized learning central to Rhodes' educational approach.
2017
20 Years
Celebrating two decades of Rhodes
Rhodes celebrates its 20th anniversary with a scholarship competition inviting prospective students to share why they wanted to study at the College. Winner Alex Coles receives a full scholarship to the Professional Counsellor Diploma, marking two decades since Bea Rhodes first began training students in Vancouver.
2014
Online Learning
Rhodes adopts Zoom early
Rhodes transitions its online part-time classes to Zoom while the platform is still relatively new. The College also expands available class times for students across Canada, building experience in live virtual education that will become especially valuable in later years.
2013
1,000 Graduates
Rhodes celebrates its 1,000th graduate
Rhodes reaches a major community milestone with its 1,000th graduate. What began as a small training school now has a growing network of counsellors and coaches carrying their education into workplaces, families and communities.
2009
More Ways to Learn
Part-time and online programs begin
Rhodes launches its first online Life Coach Certificate through Skype, creating a new way for students to pursue professional education while balancing existing work and personal commitments. The launch lays the groundwork for the flexible online programs that later connect Rhodes with students across Canada.
2007
Rhodes Wellness College
A new name for a growing vision
Rhodes Career College officially becomes Rhodes Wellness College. During this period, the College also strengthens its relationships with professional counselling and coaching organizations, supporting pathways for graduates pursuing professional designations.
2006
Professional Education
The Professional Counsellor Diploma launches
Following consultation with employers and practicum hosts, Rhodes develops the Professional Counsellor Diploma. The program introduces advanced professional training in areas including trauma, relationships, mental health, ethics and integrated counselling approaches.
2005
Growing Campus
Growth leads to a larger campus
As enrolment and programming continue to grow, Rhodes moves into larger facilities at 1125 Howe Street in downtown Vancouver. The approximately 7,000-square-foot campus includes four classrooms, ten offices, a boardroom and kitchen — a significant change from the College's original one-classroom beginning.
2001
Holistic Wellness
The Wellness Counsellor Diploma is created
Rhodes launches the Wellness Counsellor Diploma after more than a year of development. Its holistic approach considers mind, body, emotions and spirit together, helping establish a broader philosophy of wellness that remains an important part of Rhodes' educational identity.
1999
First Diploma
Rhodes launches its first diploma program
Rhodes introduces the Life Skills Instructor Diploma, now known as the Life Coach Diploma. The new program marks the College's development from individual certificate training toward longer, more comprehensive professional education.
1998
Early Growth
Rhodes becomes an incorporated college
Two years after opening, Rhodes moves to 96 East Broadway and incorporates as Rhodes Career College Ltd. The expanding school adds the Life Skills Counselling Program and grows to two classrooms and five offices as its counselling and coaching focus begins to take shape.
1996
Where It All Began
The Beginning
One classroom. One office. One idea.
On February 12, 1996, Bea Rhodes opens Rhodes and Associates at 333 Terminal Avenue in Vancouver. The original school has just one classroom and one office, but its purpose is already clear: to prepare people with both practical skills and knowledge to help create meaningful change in the lives of others. That summer, 16 students enrol in the first Life Skills Coach Training Certificate program.
The story continues
30 years behind us.
What's next is still being written.
Accreditation & Recognition
Rhodes Wellness College has been delivering education since 1996, establishing connections within the industries we and our students serve. Committed to maintaining high standards and safeguarding public trust, our programs are accredited and recognized by leading associations that uphold stringent educational standards, ensuring excellence and competency in coaching, counselling, nutrition, and wellness. Please click here to learn more about our accreditation and the recognition we have earned in the field.
Rhodes Wellness College is regulated by the Private Training Institutions Regulatory Unit (PTIRU) of the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills.
Designated B.C. Private Training Institutions Regulatory Unit & Shield Design mark is a certification mark owned by the Government of British Columbia and used under licence. To view our college’s PTIRU “Designation Certificate”, please click here
Rhodes Wellness College respectfully acknowledge that they are situated on unceded, traditional lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), and səl̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.
