ATTENTION: All stakeholders:
Some of you are aware of the group known as "Stop Psychotherapy Takeover", which asserts that the Psychotherapy Act, 2007 and the new College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) will prevent alternative practitioners from continuing to provide services. Such statements are seriously misinformed. Recently, we responded to a letter-writer associated with that group to try to dispel certain misinformation. An excerpt from our response is adapted below:
Nothing in the Psychotherapy Act, 2007 will prevent alternative practitioners from continuing their work. The scope of practice of psychotherapy will not be exclusive to members of the new College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario or to members of other regulatory colleges. Any person can provide services that fall within the scope of practice of psychotherapy, so long as they do not:
- use any restricted title; or
- hold themselves out as qualified to practise as a psychotherapist in Ontario; or
- perform the controlled act of psychotherapy.
It is true that the transitional Council will not be defining words contained in the controlled act of psychotherapy. CRPO has been advised by legal counsel that it is not our role to attempt to define words contained in legislation, e.g. we will not be defining "serious disorder".
It is also true that the College will have the power to take action against unregulated practitioners who: use titles inappropriately; hold themselves out inappropriately; or perform the controlled act of psychotherapy. However, due to the lack of definition of words contained in the controlled act, it is foreseeable that the College will take action against unregulated practitioners only in cases of serious flagrant abuse. Such abuse might include treating clients who have serious mental health issues such as psychosis, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, etc., where the disorder seriously impairs the individual's functioning. It is worth noting that Registered Psychotherapists will be required to refer such clients to more appropriately trained health care providers, if the Member concerned lacks the knowledge, skill and judgment to care for such a client.
Please also see our earlier response to SPT, dated August 2014, which is posted on CRPO's website:
http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs107/1110759861961/archive/1118157950303.html
Also see a recent SPT Petition Update: http://www.stoppsychotherapytakeover.ca/updates/
Other content of interest on the SPT website: http://www.stoppsychotherapytakeover.ca/statistics/
From CRPO Council and Staff: VERY BEST WISHES TO ALL FOR A JOYOUS AND SAFE HOLIDAY SEASON - ENJOY!
