On April 1, 2015, the Ontario Government proclaimed into force most of the balance of the provisions of the Psychotherapy Act.
This recent development will affect members of the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) who practise psychotherapy and/or use the title “psychotherapist”, as well as those who wish to do so in the future. Effective April 1, 2015, only members of the newly created College of Registered Psychotherapists and Registered Mental Health Therapists of Ontario (CRPO) are permitted to use the title “psychotherapist”, “registered psychotherapist” or “registered mental health therapist”. However, OCSWSSW members may continue to provide psychotherapy services provided they are competent to do so.
The government has not proclaimed into force the provisions in the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 setting out the controlled act of psychotherapy and authorizing members of OCSWSSW to perform it, or the provision in the Social Work and Social Service Work Act, 1998 permitting OCSWSSW members who are authorized to perform the controlled act of psychotherapy to use the title “psychotherapist”.
The OCSWSSW understands the importance of this recent development and will work diligently to keep members informed about this important issue.
CLICK HERE for more detailed information about the regulation of psychotherapy. For more information, please contact Kate Lanoue at klanoue@ocswssw.org.