How do I know if my placement site involves the controlled act of psychotherapy?
Students should discuss their role and responsibilities with the placement site clinical supervisor to determine if they will be performing the controlled act.
What should I do if my placement site involves performing the controlled act of psychotherapy, but the site does not have an RP clinical supervisor?
You will need to find an external RP clinical supervisor or find another placement site. Alternatively, the student could discuss restricting their practice at the site to not involve performing the controlled act.
How much supervision from an RP do I need if my placement involves performing the controlled act of psychotherapy?
CRPO does not specify the number of clinical supervision hours required from the RP. How much clinical supervision with the RP will depend on how often the student is performing the controlled act. Students should discuss this with their clinical supervisors.
If my placement did not involve performing the controlled act of psychotherapy, will I be able to perform the controlled act once registered in the RP (Qualifying) category?
If an RP (Qualifying) registrant is expanding their area of competence to involve the controlled act, they must seek clinical supervision specific to performing the controlled act. More information can be found in the Professional Practice Standards in Section 2: Competence.
I’ve substantially completed my program and my application to CRPO has been approved before I’ve completed my placement. Since I am now an RP (Qualifying) but still a student, do I still need clinical supervision from an RP to perform the controlled act of psychotherapy?
No. See the Who Can Supervise Who page for more information.
I am a student in a psychotherapy training program that is recognized by CRPO or substantially equivalent to a recognized program. As of January 1, 2020, will I be able to perform the controlled act of psychotherapy under the supervision of a Registered Psychotherapist?
Yes. As of January 1, 2020, individuals fulfilling the registration requirements to join CRPO are permitted to perform the controlled act of psychotherapy under the supervision of a Registered Psychotherapist.
My education was found to be inadequate by CRPO’s Registration Committee. I am now completing additional courses. As of January 1, 2020, will I be authorized to perform the controlled act of psychotherapy if I practise under the supervision of a Registered Psychotherapist?
Assuming the courses are geared toward fulfilling CRPO’s education requirements, and assuming the supervised practise is completed as part of taking those courses, then yes, an individual would be authorized to perform the controlled act of psychotherapy to fulfill the remaining registration requirements.
I have graduated from a psychotherapy education program. Can I delay my registration with CRPO, obtain clinical experience hours, and perform the controlled act of psychotherapy under the supervision of a Registered Psychotherapist?
No. Once you have fulfilled the minimum requirements for registration (e.g. completing an education program), you need to register with CRPO for authorization to perform the controlled act of psychotherapy.
I am not a student or a regulated practitioner of psychotherapy. As of January 1, 2020, will I be authorized to perform the controlled act of psychotherapy if I practise under the supervision of a Registered Psychotherapist?
No. Unregulated practitioners are not permitted to perform the controlled act of psychotherapy unless an exception or exemption applies. One exception applies to individuals fulfilling the registration requirements for joining CRPO. It does not apply to anyone practising under the supervision of a Registered Psychotherapist.
How many direct client contact and clinical supervision hours of the controlled act of psychotherapy do I need in order to register with CRPO?
There is no clinical experience required to register with CRPO in the RP (Qualifying) category.
How many direct client contact and clinical supervision hours of the controlled act of psychotherapy do I need in order to transfer from the RP (Qualifying) category to the RP category?
None. CRPO will only assess whether the 450 direct client contact and 100 clinical supervision hours fall within the broader scope of practice of psychotherapy. More information about the requirements to transfer to the RP category can be found here.
After January 1, 2020, does submitting my application for registration with CRPO authorize me to perform the controlled act of psychotherapy under the supervision of a Registered Psychotherapist?
No. Applying for registration does not authorize an individual to perform the controlled act of psychotherapy. We encourage students to submit their application as early as they can to avoid a gap between completing their education and receiving registration with CRPO.
After January 1, 2020, does appealing a CRPO registration decision authorize me to perform the controlled act of psychotherapy under the supervision of a Registered Psychotherapist?
No. Appealing a CRPO registration decision does not authorize an individual to perform the controlled act of psychotherapy.