Mental Health Professionals' Views on the Regulation of Psychotherapy in Ontario

Authors

  • Leslie M. Vesely Institute for Work and Health
  • Olga Smoliak University of Guelph
  • Nicola Gazzola University of Ottawa
  • John Beaton University of Guelph

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47634/cjcp.v56i3.72700

Abstract

In Canada, mental health is regulated at the provincial level. In 2007, the Ontario government introduced the Psychotherapy Act (PA), which details the scope of practice as well as the controlled act of psychotherapy. The PA established the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) to regulate its members in the service of protecting the public. Given the long history of contestation and ambiguity surrounding the definition of psychotherapy, the PA represents an important historic moment for practitioners in Ontario. However, little research has been conducted on psychotherapy practitioners’ experiences and perspectives on professional regulation. This study qualitatively explored perspectives on and experiences with the PA among regulated mental health practitioners who have access to the act of psychotherapy in Ontario, including psychotherapists, nurses, physicians, occupational therapists, psychologists, and social workers. The study provides insights into the ways that these professional groups are impacted by the regulation of psychotherapy and has implications for the future implementation of statutory regulation.

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Author Biographies

Leslie M. Vesely, Institute for Work and Health

Leslie M. Vesely, M.Sc., M.A., is a project coordinator at the Institute for Work and Health. She is a graduate of the couple and family therapy program at the University of Guelph and is a registered psychotherapist. Her research interests lie in the intersection of policy, professional identity and practices, and the client care journey. She is committed to producing and supporting research that advocates for accessible and equitable health care.

Olga Smoliak, University of Guelph

Olga Smoliak, Ph.D., is an associate professor in family relations and applied nutrition at the University of Guelph. She is also a clinical/counselling psychologist. Her primary research areas are postmodern therapies and research (discursive psychology, conversation analysis, critical discourse analysis). She co-edited Therapy as Discourse: Research and Practice (with T. Strong) and The Handbook of Counselling and Psychotherapy in Canada.

Nicola Gazzola, University of Ottawa

Nicola Gazzola, Ph.D., is a professor of counselling psychology at the University of Ottawa. He is a licensed psychologist (Quebec) and has over twenty-five years of clinical experience. His research interests are in the area of professional issues in psychotherapy and include professional identity, clinical supervision, and the experience of the therapist. His research team is currently investigating the therapist use-of-self in counselling and psychotherapy.

John Beaton, University of Guelph

John Beaton, Ph.D., is an associate professor in family relations and applied nutrition at the University of Guelph. He primarily teaches in the couple and family therapy master’s degree program. His current research interests focus on two areas: families with children with disabilities and chronic health conditions, and men in families.

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Published

2023-07-14

How to Cite

Vesely, L. M., Smoliak, O., Gazzola, N., & Beaton, J. (2023). Mental Health Professionals’ Views on the Regulation of Psychotherapy in Ontario. Canadian Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy, 56(3-4), 300–323. https://doi.org/10.47634/cjcp.v56i3.72700

Issue

Vol. 56 No. 3-4 (2022): Regular issue

Section

Articles/ Articles

License

Copyright is retained by the Canadian Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy.