(Revised April 4, 2011)
College of Registered Psychotherapists
and Registered Mental Health Therapists of Ontario
SAMPLE Registration Requirements
Information for Applicants
Note: The following is preliminary information for discussion purposes only. It is
intended to show what coursework requirements and required competencies
might look like. Final course requirements and competencies will be based on
Competency Profiles being developed for the two categories of members.
1. Registered Mental Health Therapist
1 (a) Education & Training Requirement:
The applicant must,
i.
have successfully completed an education and training program acceptable to the
Council or a body designated by the Council, or
ii. have successfully completed a program which is deemed substantially equivalent by
the Registration Committee to a program referred to above.
Acceptable education & training programs*:
A minimum two-year diploma program approved by the Council of the College, in a field of
training related to the scope of practice of psychotherapy that develops specific
competencies (see Appendix A), and includes at least five courses (or equivalent hours of
study) in subjects central to the practice of psychotherapy (see Appendix B).
Possible examples of programs that develop the defined competencies and provide the
necessary coursework may include the following community college programs in the
following areas:
 Child and Youth Worker
 Mental Health and Addiction Worker
 Indigenous Wellness and Addictions Program
 Drug and Alcohol Counsellor
 Expressive Arts Therapy
 Developmental Services Worker
* The College will be developing a framework (set of criteria and process) for assessing and
recognizing education & training programs for both categories of members.
The following are additional Registration Requirements:
2 (b) Registration Examination (successful completion when available)
2 (c) Jurisprudence & Professional Practice Examination (successful completion)
2 (d) Clinical Experience (comprehensive, supervised practicum, min. 900 hrs)
2 (e) Self-awareness (completion of activities demonstrating effective use of self in the
psychotherapeutic relationship)
NOTE: Additional requirements are proposed for RMHTs who wish to practice independently
(See Registration Regulation, paragraph 4(3)1)
2. Registered Psychotherapist
2 (a) Education & Training Requirement:
The applicant must:
i.
have successfully completed an education and training program acceptable to the
Council or a body designated by the Council, or
ii. have successfully completed a program which is deemed substantially equivalent by
the Registration Committee to a program referred to above.
Acceptable education & training programs*:
A program of training or education approved by the Council of the College that develops
specific competencies (see Appendix A), and includes at least 10 courses (or equivalent
hours of study) in subjects central to the practice of psychotherapy (see Appendix B). An
approved program will normally have, as an entrance requirement, a pre-requisite
undergraduate degree.
Examples of programs requiring an undergraduate degree as an admission requirement,
which develop the defined competencies and provide the necessary coursework may
include the following:






Master of Art Therapy
Master of Counselling Psychology
Master of Counselling & Spirituality
Master of Education (Counselling Psychology /Educational Counselling)
Master of Marriage and Family Therapy
Professional Training Programs in Psychotherapy (independent training
institutes)
* The College will be developing a framework (set of criteria and process) for assessing and
recognizing education & training programs for both categories of members.
The following are additional Registration Requirements:
2 (b) Registration Examination (successful completion when available)
2 (c) Jurisprudence & Professional Practice Examination (successful completion)
2 (d) Clinical Experience (min. 450 direct client contact hrs)
2 (e) Supervision (min. 150 hrs clinical supervision related to client contact hrs)
2 (f) Self-awareness (completion of activities demonstrating effective use of self in the
psychotherapeutic relationship)
NOTE: Minimum 1000 client contact hrs are proposed for Registered Psychotherapists who
wish to practice independently.
GRANDPARENTING: It is expected that, initially, many members will be ‘grandparented.’ This
is an alternative route to registration for established Ontario practitioners who may not meet the
full registration requirements. This option will be open for two years following proclamation of
the Psychotherapy Act, 2007. For details, see the draft Registration Regulation or the table,
Summary of Proposed Registration Requirements, posted on our website.
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APPENDIX A
Preliminary List only (subject to change)
PROPOSED COMPETENCIES *
Foundational Principles:
Competency to:
1.1 Apply a theory of human functioning (e.g. human development, sexuality, spirituality, moral
reasoning, etc.)
1.2 Work within a framework based upon recognized, outcome-informed psychotherapeutic
theory
1.3 Maintain awareness of self in relation to professional role
1.4 Apply knowledge of human and cultural diversity
Professional Practice and Ethics:
Competency to:
3.4 Apply an ethical decision-making process
3.9 Practice in a manner consistent with the role of the therapist within the health care system
(DSM, referral, classes of psychotropic drugs, etc.)
3.13 Maintain appropriate professional practices e.g. record-keeping, appointments book, etc.
3.14 Comply with legal obligations, e.g. reporting child abuse
3.15 Establish business practices relevant to the role
Therapeutic Process:
Competency to:
4.1 Orient client to therapist’s practice
4.2 Establish and maintain core conditions, consistent with selected theory and practice (e.g.
boundaries, empathy, active-listening, etc.)
4.3 Obtain and integrate multiple levels of information during the therapeutic process (e. initial
and ongoing assessment)
4.4 Conduct an appropriate risk and resource assessment
4.5 Maintain an effective therapeutic relationship
4.6 Structure and facilitate the therapeutic process.
4.7 Manage interruptions to the therapeutic process
4.8 Refer clients appropriately
4.9 Conduct an effective closure process
4.10 Evaluate one’s own clinical practices
Research and Practice
Competency to:
5.1 Use research findings to inform clinical practice
5.2 Remain current with professional literature and other relevant media
* Developed by the Registration Committee
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APPENDIX B
Preliminary List only (subject to change)
COURSEWORK GROUPINGS
NOTE: Applicants will be required to have completed an appropriate mix of courses from
among the following list. Course requirements for Registered Mental Health Therapists and
Registered Psychotherapists will differ. Further work will be required to refine this list and align
it with defined competencies.
Professional Practice
Ethics in Professional Practice
Research and Practice
Foundations
Comparative Psychotherapy Theories & Approaches
History of Psychotherapy
Contemporary Psychotherapy
Philosophy of Psychotherapy
Systems Theory
Assessment
Clinical Assessment
Psychotherapeutic Practices and Techniques
Intervention Strategies
Individual
Group
Couple and Family
Psychotherapeutic Relationships
Effective Use of Self
Group Dynamics
Power Dynamics
Interpersonal Relationships
Human Growth and Development
Theory of Human Development, Motivation & Change
Psychosocial Determinants of Health
Theories of Personality
Life Stages
Trauma Theory
Attachment Theory
Culture and Society
Cultural Competencies
Gender Studies
Diversity Studies
Mind/Brain/Body
Psychopathology
Psychopharmacology
Human Neurophysiology
Cognition/Affect/Perception
Biology and Behaviour
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