More than 220 people logged on to a webinar hosted by CMHA Ontario Children’s Mental Health Ontario, and Addictions and Mental Health Ontario to learn about government changes that may impact the way mental health and addictions professionals deliver psychotherapy in Ontario.
Representatives of the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario delivered the December 5th webinar, which focused on practical considerations for health care providers in adjusting to new government regulations about the controlled act of psychotherapy. The webinar included an in-depth Q&A session, where participants were able to ask pointed questions regarding the new legislation and get direct answers from the college.
In December 2017, the Ontario government proclaimed the controlled act of psychotherapy (the “Controlled Act”) into force. Although this legislation represents a significant push forward in the regulation of professionals who provide mental health and addictions services in the province, the process of regulation has introduced a range of challenges with respect to how to interpret and apply the legislation, and how to ensure that there is limited disruption to the flow of essential community mental health and addictions services to clients.
The government has also included a two-year transition period, beginning December 31, 2017, so that individuals may become registered with the appropriate colleges or change their practices so that they do not perform the controlled act of psychotherapy.
As discussed in the webinar, given the imprecise definition of the controlled act of psychotherapy, there remains a wide-range of cases in which it is unclear whether a front-line worker is using psychotherapy, and where their work might sometimes, but only occasionally, veer into use of the controlled act.
As the sector moves forward in this new environment, consistent follow up and engagement with providers will be critical. CMHA Ontario looks forward to providing continued support on this issue.
To watch the recorded webinar, please click on the embedded video below:
The Controlled Act of Psychotherapy from CMHA Ontario on Vimeo.