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Psychotherapy Update
- May 2009

The College is pleased to inform you of a positive development pertaining to the regulation of psychotherapy.

On May 11, 2009, Bill 179, the Regulated Health Professions Statute Law Amendment Act, 2009 received first reading in the Legislature. The Act amends various Acts related to the regulated health professions and includes amendments to the Psychotherapy Act, 2007 and the Social Work and Social Service Work Act, 1998.

Currently, the Psychotherapy Act, 2007 restricts use of the titles “psychotherapist” and “registered mental health therapist” to members of the College of Psychotherapists and Registered Mental Health Therapists of Ontario. It also prohibits anyone other than a member of that college from holding himself or herself out as a person who is qualified to practise in Ontario as a psychotherapist or a registered mental health therapist.

This new legislation, however, amends the current title protection provisions in the Psychotherapy Act, 2007 and amends the Social Work and Social Service Work Act, 1998 to provide that a member of the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers who is authorized to perform the controlled act of psychotherapy may use the abbreviated title “psychotherapist” if the member complies with the following conditions, as applicable:

1. When describing himself or herself orally as a psychotherapist, the member must also mention that he or she is a member of the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, or identify himself or herself using the title restricted to him or her as a member of the College.
2. When identifying himself or herself in writing as a psychotherapist on a name tag, business card or any document, the member must set out his or her full name, immediately followed by at least one of the following, followed in turn by “psychotherapist”:
   i. Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers,
   ii. The title that the member may use under the Social Work and Social Service Work Act.

The date on which the amendments contained in the Bill will be passed into law is not yet known. The College will keep members apprised of any developments surrounding the Act.

To view a PDF of Bill 179.

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