Mailing Address
Health Professions Regulatory Advisory Council
56 Wellesley St W.,
12th Floor
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
M5S 2S3
Telephone and Facsimile
Toll-Free: 1-888-377-7746
Telephone: 416-326-1550.
Fax: 416-326-1549
Psychotherapy
The Minister's question:
In its 2006 report, Regulation of Health Professions in Ontario: New Directions, the Health Professions Regulatory Advisory Council (HPRAC), recommended that a number of professions, including psychotherapy, be regulated under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 (RHPA). In response, the Health System Improvements Act, 2007, regulated the profession of psychotherapy and added a new controlled act of psychotherapy under the RHPA, among other things.
On August 4, 2017, the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care requested HPRAC to:
- Provide advice on how to make clear the meaning of the controlled act so that it is understood by members of the professions who may be granted the controlled act, prospective applicants to the professions and, most importantly, to the public.
- Recommend criteria for determining whether there are certain providers, who are not members of a regulated health profession, who may require an exemption from the performance of the controlled act so that they are not unduly prevented from providing services to their respective client population.
The Minister requested that HPRAC provide its advice no later than November 1, 2017.
Minister's referral letter on the controlled act of psychotherapy
HPRAC's Approach
When a referral is received from the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, HPRAC determines relevant public interest concerns and questions. HPRAC attempts to understand all perspectives on an issue including those of key health care practitioners, other affected professionals, clients and patients, advocates and regulators. Each issue proceeds through a multi-stage process where information and responses are requested from and shared with stakeholders. HPRAC will conduct research reviews, and engage in key informant interviews. Its analysis of the issues will lead to a determination of additional information required, and the appropriate process to be used.
Commenting on the Issue
Between August and October 2017, HPRAC conducted a targetted consultation with select organizations and individuals, representing regulatory colleges, regulated and non-regulated professionals, and psychotherapy clients. Consultations were by invitation only. The consultation process is now complete.
HPRAC received over 20 written submissions, providing responses to specific questions. Submissions for which HPRAC received consent to publish can be reviewed by clicking on the link below:
Submissions to HPRAC on the controlled act of psychotherapy
HPRAC's Final Report
On November 1, 2017 HPRAC submitted its report to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care on the Controlled Act of Psychotherpy. On March 5, 2018 the Minister publicly released the report.
The Therapeutic Relationship as the Cornerstone of the Controlled Act of Psychotherapy - Volume 1
The Therapeutic Relationship as the Cornerstone of the Controlled Act of Psychotherapy - Volume 2
The Alternative Clarifying Document
