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The Regulation of Psychotherapy: What Social Workers in Ontario Need to Know

The College has been receiving inquiries from members regarding the current status of the regulation of psychotherapy under Bill 171. The following fact sheet is intended to respond to these questions.

Bill 171, the Health System Improvements Act, received Royal Assent on June 4, 2007 and included an amendment authorizing members of the OCSWSSW to perform the controlled act of psychotherapy in compliance with the Social Work and Social Service Work Act, regulations under the Act and the by-laws approved by Council. Upon Royal Assent, only three sections of the Psychotherapy Act came into force. These provide for the name of the new College and a transition before the remainder of the provisions come into force. Once the Act is fully proclaimed, social workers will be treated in the same manner as members of the regulated health professions who are authorized to perform the controlled act of psychotherapy under Bill 171.

Below are further facts social workers need to know regarding the regulation of psychotherapy:

• By virtue of the amendment to the Regulated Health Professions Act, contained in Bill 171, social work members of the OCSWSSW are recognized in the legislation as being key players in the delivery of psychotherapy services;
• The controlled act of psychotherapy is not yet proclaimed, therefore is not yet in force. Members of the OCSWSSW who currently provide psychotherapy services can continue to do so;
• When the controlled act is proclaimed, members of the OCSWSSW will be authorized to perform the controlled act. The College is in the process of determining the competencies and processes necessary to regulate members who practise psychotherapy;
• Upon proclamation, social work members of the College, who are authorized to perform the controlled act, will be able to refer to themselves as social workers who provide psychotherapy services;
• The College will remain in close communication with the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, the Ministry of Community and Social Services and other regulatory Colleges as the implementation of the Act moves forward and we will keep members well informed on this matter.

For more information regarding the regulation of psychotherapy, please contact Pamela Blake, M.S.W., RSW, Director of Professional Practice and Education at (416) 972-9882 or 1-877-828-9380 ext. 205 or e-mail pblake@ocswssw.org.