New information about the proclamation date

 

At last month's Council meeting, the Registrar provided an update regarding the likely proclamation date of the Psychotherapy Act, 2007.

 

She said that, while April 1, 2014 remains the target date, both the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) and the transitional Council have acknowledged that the date may be pushed back two or three months. One reason is that a solution is still pending regarding individuals originally contemplated as members in the Registered Mental Health Therapist (RMHT) category. The Registrar noted that one possible solution might be that the controlled act of psychotherapy is proclaimed at a later date than the rest of the Act. This would allow registration to occur without concern that those not yet registered would be practising in breach of the controlled act. It would also provide additional time for the ministry to find a workable solution for those practitioners who will not become members of the new College but who may be doing the controlled act. Despite the uncertainty about the proclamation date, the College expects to open up pre-registration for current, active practitioners in Canada - those applying using the 'grandparenting' route - by the end of March 2014.

 

Pilot testing of online 'grandparenting' application process and materials

 

A call for volunteers to participate in the second round of pilot testing of the online grandparenting application generated an enthusiastic response, with over 250 expressions of interest received. Sixty prospective members were selected and sent preliminary instructions, in advance of the launch on February 14th. At the conclusion of this important phase of testing, feedback will be incorporated into the final system before the expected launch of pre-registration for grandparenting applicants, expected by the end of March 2014.

 

A sincere thank you to all who volunteered, and to those embarking on this phase of pilot testing.  

 

Review and Recognition process for Psychotherapy Education and Training Programs launched

 

We are pleased to announce the launch of the Review and Recognition process for psychotherapy education and training programs. Education program providers may now complete and submit an online application to have their program Reviewed.

 

Formal Recognition of a psychotherapy education and training program allows graduates of such programs to be confident they meet the entry-to-practice competencies for admission to the College (this relates to an applicant seeking registration via the regular route, not grandparenting). Additionally, it will allow College staff to streamline the evaluation and processing of that element of the application for registration.

 

Graduates of programs that are not Recognized (or not yet Recognized) are not in any way disadvantaged. The education and training section of their applications for registration will require some additional consideration by College staff to determine how students are prepared for psychotherapy practice.

 

A related development is the addition of a third possible outcome of the Review and Recognition process, namely: "Provisional Recognition." Previously, the possible outcomes were: "Recognized" or "Recognition Deferred." The reason for this change was a growing awareness that many programs may be somewhat weak in one or two areas, but overall appear to be doing a good job of preparing students for entry-to-practice. "Provisionally Recognized" programs will be asked to demonstrate that they have adequately addressed identified gaps within a prescribed time period, so that full Recognition may be granted.

 

When numerous, significant gaps are found in a program, Recognition will be deferred, which means the program will need to apply for Recognition again, when deficiencies have been remedied.

 

For more information, see:  Reviewing/Recognizing Education Programs

 

Change of window for Professional Practice and Jurisprudence Learning Module

 

Registration Committee recently announced a change to the timing for applicants to complete the Professional Practice and Jurisprudence e-Learning Module, an important step toward registration with the College.

 

Previously, an applicant could have successfully completed the Jurisprudence Learning Module up to three years prior to application for registration with the College. This window will be reduced to two years in the next version of the Registration Regulation.

 

It is expected that this change will adversely affect very few, if any, applicants. It will, however, enhance the currency of the professional and legal knowledge of those seeking to become members of this College.

 

To allow for a smooth transition from the 3-year to the 2-year window, Registration Committee will permit all applicants who successfully complete the Jurisprudence Learning Module prior to proclamation of the Psychotherapy Act, 2007 to take advantage of the original 3-year window.

 

Professional Practice Standards for Registered Psychotherapists now posted

 

At its January meeting, Council adopted Professional Practice Standards for Registered Psychotherapists. The Standards describe the minimum acceptable professional standards expected of members; they are not intended as best practices.

 

Members are expected to practise in accordance with these standards and to apply them consistently in their practice environments. It is professional misconduct to do otherwise.

 

Click to access the Standards.

 

Note: The Standards are undergoing copy-editing and formatting; an unedited version is currently posted.

 

Seeking stakeholder feedback on two minor by-law changes

 

On January 15, the transitional Council approved for circulation to stakeholders two proposed minor by-law amendments. We are inviting feedback on these proposed changes from interested stakeholders, and look forward to receiving written comments by the April 22, 2014 deadline. Click here for details. 

 

FAX

416.874.4079

 

MAIL

Consultations

Transitional Council

College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario

163 Queen Street East

Toronto, ON    M5A 1S1

 

Update on call for volunteer committee members

 

In January, the College made a call to recruit qualified prospective members to serve as volunteers on College committees.

 

To date, no decisions have been made. It is expected this process may take some time, while the College begins to establish its statutory and other committees in the lead up to proclamation.

 

Sincere appreciation to everyone who submitted an application.

 

For more information about the Council and its activities, please visit our website: www.crpo.ca