New College for Psychotherapy

Province Putting Patients First by Regulating Psychotherapists

April 1, 2015

Ontario is ensuring psychotherapy patients receive safe, high quality care.

Starting April 1, 2015 the new College of Registered Psychotherapists and Registered Mental Health Therapists of Ontario will oversee and regulate the profession of psychotherapy.

The College will ensure accountability of the profession and ensure that important safeguards are in place to protect patients. For example, members of the profession will be accountable for:

• Following a common set of professional standards
• Participating in ongoing professional development.

Members will also be subject to the complaints and discipline processes of the Regulated Health Professions Act, if there are allegations concerning professional misconduct or incompetence.

Regulating health care providers is part of the government’s plan to build a better Ontario through its Patients First: Action Plan for Health Care, providing patients with faster access to the right care, better home and community care, the information they need to live healthy and a health care system that’s sustainable for generations to come.

Quotes

“Our government is putting patients first by ensuring those practicing psychotherapy in Ontario are regulated, qualified and accountable. The College of Registered Psychotherapists and Registered Mental Health Therapists of Ontario will ensure that psychotherapy services delivered in Ontario are both high quality and safe."
— Dr. Eric Hoskins, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care

“Our mission is to develop standards and procedures to regulate psychotherapists in the public interest, striving to ensure competent and ethical practice within a professional accountability framework. The new College is dedicated to the principles of excellence, fairness, openness, responsiveness and respect for diversity.”
— Joyce Rowlands, Registrar, The College of Registered Psychotherapists and Registered Mental Health Therapists of Ontario

Quick Facts

• There are approximately 5,000 psychotherapists in Ontario.
• Legislation to regulate psychotherapy received Royal Assent on June 4, 2007.

Additional Resources

College of Registered Psychotherapists and Registered Mental Health Therapists of Ontario.

Patients First: Action Plan for Health Care.