Psychotherapy as a regulated profession considered in Ontario.

Toronto -- Should psychotherapy be a regulated health profession in Ontario? This question is being asked by the Health Professions Regulatory Advisory Committee? The question was put to the panel by Minister of Health George Smitherman. The Committee has held hearings and is expected to report in 2006.

The question has drawn a number of responses. The Ontario Association of Social Workers, whose membership includes the largest group of psychotherapists in the province, opposes any law creating a licensed psychotherapy profession. "Psychotherapy is an intervention and not a profession" the OASW argues in its brief to the HPRAC. The organization argues for strengthening of existing regulatory legislation for physicians, social workers, psychologists and nurses related to the provision of psychotherapy services.

Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario asks that psychotherapy, rather than the psychotherapists, be regulated, "as it is an act that is not within the scope of practice of a single profession."

The OASW points out that the regulation psychotherapy needs to be considered within the context of competing interests, professional interests in regulation as a means of conferring status to some groups in what may be broadly seen as the psychotherapy professions.

CMHA, Ontario, supports the proposal to regulate psychotherapy, as defined by HPRAC, which excludes counselling and spiritual counselling. The submission maintains that psychotherapy, rather than the psychotherapists, should be regulated, as it is an act that is not within the scope of practice of a single profession. It concludes that the regulation of psychotherapy under a new Act should support the provision of high quality psychotherapy while permitting the public to exercise freedom of choice within a range of options intended to protect their interests.

The OASW also sees potential harm that might result from regulation of psychotherapy--"restricting access, increasing fees, disrupting credible agencies providing counselling service." The "OASW believes the most viable approach would be to strengthen mechanisms within existing regulatory legislation for physicians, social workers, psychologists and nurses related to the provision of psychotherapy services."

The discussion document of the Health Practitioners Regulatory Advisory Council describes psychotherapy as follows: Psychotherapy is the treatment of a person or persons (who have cognitive, emotional, behavioural or social dysfunctions) through psychological, psychosocial or interpersonal methods. The nature of psychotherapy is often probing and intensive, and a specific treatment plan guides the application of these procedures. The practice of psychotherapy can be distinguished from both counselling, where the focus is on the provision of information, advice-giving, encouragement and instruction, and from spiritual counselling, which is counselling based on religious or faith-based belief systems.