What is a Psychotherapist?

Enough folks have asked me what a psychotherapist is (and why they haven't heard of them until recently) that I thought I would explain. Firstly, psychotherapists are a new thing - so that's why you haven't heard of us until recently. New legislation in the Province of Ontario have deemed psychotherapy (ie. individual counselling, couple therapy, family therapy, group process therapy) as controlled acts. So, each person that performs these acts now needs to be registered with the College of Psychotherapists of Ontario, or another Professional College. When psychotherapy became a controlled act there were a number of professional associations (different from colleges) not represented, including Couple and Family Therapists (like myself). In order to accommodate all of those people who were already working and qualified, a designation was created - psychotherapists. Many therapists who previously identified themselves as CCCs or AAMFTs now have a designation of RP (Registered Psychotherapist). Most commonly now you will find Registered Psychotherapists; Registered Psychologists and Social Workers (with a Masters designation) are offering therapy. In essence not much has changed in terms of who is offering therapy, but what has changed is that you as the client now have more assurance that the person offering you therapy is adequately qualified and you now have a somewhere to direct your concerns about therapist ethics.

Find more from the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario: http://www.crpo.ca/