The College has important information for members regarding the proclamation of the controlled act of psychotherapy, the Continuing Competence Program (CCP), and the Social Workers and Social Service Workers Professional Development Fund (SWSSWPDF).
Psychotherapy
Members have been contacting the Professional Practice Department with many questions about the controlled act of psychotherapy, including whether or not they can call themselves a “psychotherapist”. As of December 30, 2017, members of the College may perform the controlled act of psychotherapy and use the title “psychotherapist”, provided they do so in compliance with the Social Work and Social Service Work Act, 1998, the regulations and bylaws. Examples of how members may use the title are as follows:
1. Your Name, MSW, RSW
Social Worker, Psychotherapist
OR
2. Your Name, MSW, RSW
Registered Social Worker, Psychotherapist
OR
3. Your Name, MSW, RSW
Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, Psychotherapist
Visit the College’s website to learn more about the proclamation of the controlled act of psychotherapy, including the following:
- Who can perform the controlled act of psychotherapy
- The Practice Guidelines for Performing the Controlled Act of Psychotherapy
- Information about using the title “psychotherapist” (which can be found as an FAQ at the bottom of the webpage)
For more information, please contact the Professional Practice Department at practice@ocswssw.org.
2018 CCP Update
As part of the 2018 Continuing Competence Program (CCP), College members will be required to review (along with the Standards of Practice) the Practice Guidelines for Performing the Controlled Act of Psychotherapy.
The 2018 CCP documents – which include the CCP Instruction Guide, Self-Assessment Tool and Professional Development Plan – are available on the College website. Members are strongly encouraged to review College publications on a regular basis, including Practice Guidelines, Practice Notes, eBulletins and the Perspective newsletter, as well as other information found in the Professional Practice section of the College website.
Access the CCP documents:
- 2018 CCP Instruction Guide
- 2018 Self-Assessment Tool and Personal Development Plan
- Practice Guidelines for Performing the Controlled Act of Psychotherapy
Participation in the CCP is a condition of registration and is mandatory for all College members (except those in the new retired class of certificate of registration). It also demonstrates to the public that members are professional, ethical, qualified and accountable. For more information on the CCP, please visit our website or contact ccp@ocswssw.org.
SWSSWPDF
Members are reminded that they may be eligible for funding through the Social Workers and Social Service Workers Professional Development Fund (SWSSWPDF). The SWSSWPDF helps ensure that members of the College have access to professional development opportunities which assist them in remaining current in their practice and in completing the College’s Continuing Competence Program. In these ways, the SWSSWPDF provides further assurance to Ontarians that they will receive services from professional, ethical, qualified and accountable social workers and social service workers.
For more information on the SWSSWPDF, visit the Ontario Association of Social Workers’ website.