Professional Practice

Introduction

The College has received many questions from members of the College and the public about the Controlled Act related to Psychotherapy since it was proclaimed on December 30, 2017.

Members of the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts registered to practice psychology are permitted to perform the Controlled Act related to Psychotherapy, so members need not be concerned whether psychotherapy they provide falls within the definition of the Controlled Act.  As always, members are responsible to ensure that they are competent to provide any psychological service they offer.  The definition of when services fall within the Controlled Act becomes much more important when one is considering supervising someone in the performance of the Controlled Act.

Information currently available on the College website may address some of the member inquiries.  This can be found in the Practical Applications to the Standards of Professional Conduct, 2024 in the Standards of Professional Conduct.

Further information is available and in the Questions and Answers document accompanying the Standards.

The following information is intended to address the most frequently asked Questions the College has received.  If there are other questions, you please email them to practiceadvice@cpbao.ca.

Definitions

The Controlled Act related to Psychotherapy is defined in section 27(2) of the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 (RHPA) as:

14. Treating, by means of psychotherapy technique, delivered through a therapeutic relationship, an individual’s serious disorder of thought, cognition, mood, emotional regulation, perception or memory that may seriously impair the individual’s judgement, insight, behaviour, communication or social functioning.

The legislation does not define the terms used in this definition particularly “psychotherapy” and what is meant by “serious”.  Within the Psychotherapy Act, 2007 however, the ‘practice of psychotherapy’ is defined as:

3. the assessment and treatment of cognitive, emotional or behavioural disturbances by psychotherapeutic means, delivered through a therapeutic relationship based primarily on verbal or non-verbal communication.

The legislation does not define “serious” with respect to what is a “serious disorder . . . that may seriously impair”.  This is left to the treatment provider to apply his/her own education, skill, and training to determine.  As noted above, this need not be of concern to members personally offering psychotherapeutic services as members of the College are authorized to perform this Controlled Act.  It is important, however, when one is considering providing supervision.  In the absence of any available jurisprudence defining these terms within the definition, especially as related to a “serious disorder . . . that may seriously impair” members of the College are expected to exercise their professional judgment in deciding whether the services which they contemplate supervising constitute the Controlled Act.

Whether an activity constitutes the Controlled Act requires consideration of the level of difficulty and potential impairment experienced by the client and is not dependent on a specific diagnosis or therapeutic modality.

Members who are not comfortable exercising their own professional judgment in deciding whether a service falls within the “serious disorder . . . that may seriously impair” definition of the Controlled Act should consult with another member, another regulated colleague authorized to perform this Controlled Act or seek legal advice.

Questions and Answers

1. Is the provision of all “psychotherapy service” now controlled by the new legislation?

No.  As noted in the definition, only psychotherapy delivered to a client with a “serious disorder . . . that may seriously impair” their functioning falls within the Controlled Act.

2. In general, under what circumstances may I supervise the performance of the Controlled Act?

Most of the concerns raised are related to supervision by College members of others who are performing the Controlled Act.  The RHPA specifically sets out that a person who is not yet authorized to perform the Controlled Act independently may do so under supervision but only if she/he is fulfilling the requirements to become a member of a health profession, the act is within the scope of practice of the profession and is done under the supervision or direction of a member of the profession [emphasis added].

It is important to note that College members may continue to supervise individuals they believe have the competence to provide psychotherapeutic services when those services fall outside of the Controlled Act.

3. With regards to performing the Controlled Act of psychotherapy, may I supervise:

a) Doctoral psychology students in practica or internship placements or individuals is in the process of obtaining their four years of supervised experience necessary to apply to become a psychological associate?

The legislation permits one to supervise individuals who are fulfilling the requirements of our College.  This includes supervised practice members, students in practica or internships as well as those gaining their required post-masters experience.

b) Autonomous practice members of the College who may require supervision to expand their authorized areas of practice or their authorized population groups or who require supervision pursuant to a decision of the Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee (ICRC) or Discipline Committee?

Yes. Given that one is permitted to supervise a Supervised Practice member as noted above, it would seem inconsistent with the intention of the legislation for members not to be able to supervise another autonomous practice member to meet College requirements to practice in specific areas or with specific populations or fulfill a condition required by the ICRC or Discipline Committee.

c) Autonomous practice members of the College who may wish to increase their psychotherapy skills within their authorized areas of practice or their authorized population groups?

Generally, these members would become involved in a mentorship, consultation or training relationship, rather than a formal supervisory one.  Since they are already authorized in the area or with the population, the College does not require supervision when a member is learning new techniques or increasing the scope of their activities within their authorized areas.

d) Individuals who are in the process of becoming a member of the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) or another College whose members are authorized to perform the Controlled Act of Psychotherapy?

Registrants of the College of Psychologists and Applied Behaviour Analysts of Ontario (“the College”) may supervise individuals authorized by the legislation and their own College to perform the controlled act, either independently or under the supervision of a member of the College, if training, consultation and/or mentorship would be insufficient for the purpose of providing competent care. It is the College’s position that that an individual who is a member of the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (“CRPO”) or any other authorized College, regardless of their membership category, fulfills the simple legislative definition of who is permitted to perform the Controlled Act. This is because the language of the Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA) does not distinguish between different registration categories within each College, therefore permitting even those in the ‘qualifying’ registration category 9(Q)s at the CRPO) are permitted to perform the controlled act, within any parameters the CRPO has established for their own members.

It is important to note that there is no restriction with regard to College members offering training, support, consultation and mentorship to other practitioners.  While the CRPO may use the term “supervision” in their requirements for candidates, their use of the term may connote a less formal arrangement than that outlined in Principle 4 of our Standards. Individuals seeking registration with the CRPO should inquire of their College if a mentorship, training or consultation relationship, rather than a formal supervisory one, as defined by our College, may satisfy the requirement. In agreeing to consult, the College would expect members to inform CRPO qualifying members that they should not indicate to clients that they are being ‘supervised’ as this could be misleading and suggest a degree of responsibility by the College member which is inaccurate. Rather it would be appropriate for them to explain that they are seeking consultation and training from a member of the College.

e) Members of another regulated health profession who themselves are authorized to perform the controlled act?

Yes. If these individuals are authorized by their own College to perform the controlled act, they can do so independently or under the supervision of a member of the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts. As with members of the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts who are authorized to perform the Controlled Act [as per 3.c) above], in most circumstances it may be appropriate to establish a non-supervisory relationship that would afford them training, support, consultation and mentorship. If, however, there is a reason that non-supervisory supports would be insufficient, and supervision is necessary, a member of the College may enter into a supervisory relationship as outlined Principle 4 of the Standards. 

4. Are there any circumstances when a member may supervise others in providing services, including performance of the Controlled Act, because a third-party payer will only cover services if they are supervised by a Psychologist or Psychological Associate?

Supervision of the controlled act of psychotherapy or any other psychological service may not be undertaken solely to facilitate third-party payment [Standards of Professional Conduct 4.1.1 (6)].

5. May I supervise a Registered Psychotherapist or Social Worker in services which fall outside of the definition of the Controlled Act?

Yes. You are permitted to supervise activities that fall outside of the definition of the Controlled Act by a Registered Psychotherapist or Social Worker or anyone else that you believe has the education, training and experience to provide those services under your supervision.

6. Can exceptions to the restrictions on performance or supervision of the Controlled Act be made for clients who require services in remote communities or who would be affected because a therapist is no longer eligible for supervision?

The legislation does not provide for any exceptions and the College cannot recommend or condone any activity that would not be permitted by legislation. In assuming responsibility for the supervision of a psychological service, the supervisor has taken on responsibility for the client’s care. Where a supervisee is no longer able to provide the supervised service, the supervisor may provide client care him or herself, or help the individual to find another competent practitioner from whom they can receive services.