The Council

The College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) is governed by a Council of nine elected members and as many public members as are appointed by the Lieutenant Governor-in-Council in accordance with section six of the Psychotherapy Act, 2007. The Council and its committees make decisions related to registration requirements, standards of practice, continuing professional development and the professional conduct of members, along with developing and monitoring regulations, policies and business systems for CRPO. Council’s duties are supported by a number of statutory and non-statutory committees, as well as by CRPO staff.

Learn more about elections and becoming a Council member.

Council & Committee Competencies

As the body charged with ensuring that Registered Psychotherapists provide safe, ethical and competent care to Ontarians, individuals serving on Council and committees must possess the knowledge, skills and experience to discharge their duties effectively.

CRPO’s Council has adopted a competency framework, which sets out the required individual and Council level competencies as well as committee composition. This framework allows CRPO to be effective and efficient by directing that qualified individuals are elected, appointed and recruited and that appropriate training and professional development is provided to ensure continued competence across all regulatory and governance functions. For detailed competency matrices, see the links in the sidebar on this page under Council Resources.

Current Council Members

  • Heidi Ahonen, RP (District 1 – West)
  • Steven Boychyn, Public Member
  • Sherine Fahmy, Public Member
  • Kathleen (Kali) Hewitt-Blackie, RP (District 7 – Central)
  • Avni Jain, RP (District 7 – Central)
  • David Keast, Public Member
  • Kenneth Lomp, RP, President (District 4 – Central East)
  • Michael Machan, RP, Vice-President (District 8 – Ontario)
  • Miranda Monastero, RP (District 5 – South West)
  • Judy Mord, RP (District 2 – North)
  • Henry Pateman, Public Member
  • Kafui Sawyer, RP
  • Radhika Sundar, RP (District 6 – Central West)
  • Jeffrey Vincent, Public Member

Read Council member biographies.

Current Non-Council Committee Appointments

  • Abimbola (Abi) Ajibolade, RP (ICRC)
  • Elda Almario, RP (Registration)
  • Raj Anand (Discipline/FTP)
  • Rose Marie Anthony, RP (DEIWG)
  • Louis Busch, RP (Registration)
  • Gabrielle-Carolle Boivin, RP (Registration)
  • Jessica Cashmore, RP (Qualifying) (DEIWG)
  • Felipe Cepeda, RP (Quality Assurance)
  • Laurinda Cheng, RP (DEIWG)
  • Carol Cowan-Levine, RP (Discipline/FTP)
  • Janet Cullen, RP (ICRC)
  • Darlene Cyrus-Blaize, RP (ICRC)
  • Darlene Denis-Friske, RP (DEIWG)
  • Kayleen Edwards, RP (Quality Assurance)
  • Nicolas El-Kada, RP (ICRC)
  • Joyeuse Nereah Felix, RP (Qualifying) (DEIWG)
  • Linah Hashimi, RP (DEIWG)
  • Hina Islam, RP (Qualifying) (DEIWG)
  • DeRoux Jones, RP (Qualifying) (ICRC)
  • Jabari Jordan, RP (Qualifying) (DEIWG)
  • Shayne Kert (Discipline/FTP)
  • Sherry Liang (Discipline/FTP)
  • Sophie Martel (Discipline/FTP)
  • Muriel McMahon, RP (Registration)
  • Laura McNeilly, RP (DEIWG)
  • Ahilaruban Nageswaran, RP (Registration)
  • Erefaa Ogbuaku Jnr, RP (DEIWG)
  • Ibukun Ogunsina, RP (ICRC/Nominations and Elections)
  • Gabrielle Ondrade, RP (Qualifying) (DEIWG)
  • Edite (Urpi) Pine, RP (Qualifying) (DEIWG/Registration)
  • Carla Ribeiro, RP (DEIWG/Nominations and Elections)
  • Christopher Rudan, RP (ICRC)
  • Jennifer Scott (Discipline/FTP)
  • Cindy Stater-Drummond, RP (ICRC)
  • Audrey Taylor, RP (ICRC)
  • Roberta Timothy, RP (DEIWG)
  • Kevin Uba, RP (ICRC)
  • Leslie Vesely, RP (ICRC)
  • Glenn Walsh, RP (Registration)
  • David Wright (Discipline/FTP)
  • Riffat Yusaf, RP (Examination)
  • Alex Zebeljan, RP (Qualifying) (DEIWG)

Committee Membership

The following are the statutory and non-statutory committees required so that the College can fulfill its regulatory mandate.
Non-statutory committees are marked with an asterisk (*).

Client Relations

The Client Relations Committee sets policy on the prevention of sexual abuse by CRPO registrants and administers a therapy and counselling fund for client victims of sexual abuse.

Client Relations Committee – Terms of Reference

Committee Members:

  • Steven Boychyn
  • Judy Mord, RP (Chair)
  • Kafui Sawyer, RP
  • Radhika Sundar, RP

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Working Group*

The DEIWG provides advice and recommendations to Council and Committees on matters that relate to diversity, equity and inclusion affecting client members of the public, Registered Psychotherapists, and related practices, protocols and procedures.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Working Group – Terms of Reference

Working Group Members:

  • Rose Marie Anthony, RP
  • Jessica Cashmore, RP (Qualifying) (co-Chair)
  • Laurinda Cheng, RP
  • Darlene Denis-Friske, RP
  • Joyeuse Nereah Felix, RP (Qualifying)
  • Linah Hashimi, RP
  • Hina Islam, RP (Qualifying)
  • Jabari Jordan, RP (Qualifying)
  • Laura McNeilly, RP
  • Erefaa Ogbuaku Jnr, RP
  • Gabrielle Ondrade, RP (Qualifying)
  • Edite (Urpi) Pine, RP (Qualifying)
  • Carla Ribeiro, RP
  • Roberta Timothy, RP
  • Alex Zebeljan, RP (Qualifying)

Discipline

The Discipline Committee holds discipline hearings in accordance with the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991. It also sets policy and procedure relating to the discipline process.

Discipline Committee – Terms of Reference

Committee Members:

All members of Council sit on this committee.

  • Raj Anand (Non-Council Committee Member)
  • Carol Cowan-Levine, RP (Non-Council Committee Member)
  • Shayne Kert (Non-Council Committee Member)
  • Sherry Liang (Non-Council Committee Member)
  • Sophie Martel (Non-Council Committee Member)
  • Jennifer Scott (Non-Council Committee Member)
  • David Wright (Non-Council Committee Member, Chair)

Examination*

The Examination Committee considers appeals regarding failure of the Registration Examination, where there are alleged grounds of unfairness or other extenuating circumstances. It may also grant time extensions to individuals who, due to extenuating circumstances, are unable to write the exam within the time period set in the Registration Regulation.

Examination Committee – Terms of Reference
Examination Committee orientation slides

Committee Members:

  • Heidi Ahonen, RP (Chair)
  • Steven Boychyn
  • Kali Hewitt-Blackie, RP
  • Michael Machan, RP
  • Miranda Monastero, RP
  • Henry Pateman
  • Riffat Yusaf, RP (Non-Council Committee Appointment)

Executive

Elected by Council, the Executive Committee provides strategic direction, financial oversight and engages in policy development. In certain circumstances, it may act on behalf of Council.

Executive Committee – Terms of Reference
Governance Reform Initiative – terms of reference

Committee Members:

  • Kali Hewitt-Blackie, RP
  • David Keast
  • Kenneth Lomp, RP (President & Chair)
  • Michael Machan, RP (Vice-President)

Fitness to Practise

The Fitness to Practise Committee holds hearings related to alleged registrant incapacity in accordance with the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991. It also sets policy and procedure relating to the fitness to practise process.

Fitness to Practise Committee – Terms of Reference

Committee Members:

All Council members sit on this committee.

  • Raj Anand (Non-Council Committee Member)
  • Carol Cowan-Levine, RP (Non-Council Committee Member)
  • Shayne Kert (Non-Council Committee Member)
  • Sherry Liang (Non-Council Committee Member)
  • Sophie Martel (Non-Council Committee Member)
  • Jennifer Scott (Non-Council Committee Member)
  • David Wright (Non-Council Committee Member, Chair)

Indigenous Pathways to Registration Panel

Panel Members:

  • Louis Busch, RP
  • Gabrielle-Carolle Boivin, RP
  • Muriel McMahon, RP
  • Edite (Urpi) Pine, RP (Qualifying)
  • Glenn Walsh, RP

Inquiries, Complaints and Reports (ICRC)

The Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee panels screen complaints and other concerns about registrants and decide how to deal with them (e.g. issue a caution, refer to a discipline hearing, take no action). It also sets College policy on the screening process.

Inquires, Complaints and Reports Committee – Terms of Reference
Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee orientation slides

Committee Members:

  • Abimbola (Abi) Ajibolade, RP (Non-Council Committee Member)
  • Steven Boychyn
  • Janet Cullen, RP (Non-Council Committee Member)
  • Darlene Cyrus-Blaize, RP (Non-Council Committee Member)
  • Nicolas El-Kada, RP (Non-Council Committee Member)
  • Sherine Fahmy
  • Kali Hewitt-Blackie, RP (Chair)
  • DeRoux Jones, RP (Qualifying) (Non-Council Committee Member)
  • David Keast
  • Kenneth Lomp, RP
  • Miranda Monastero, RP
  • Judy Mord, RP
  • Ibukun Ogunsina, RP (Non-Council Committee Member)
  • Henry Pateman
  • Christopher Rudan, RP (Non-Council Committee Member)
  • Kafui Sawyer, RP
  • Cindy Stater-Drummond, RP (Non-Council Committee Member)
  • Audrey Taylor, RP (Non-Council Committee Member)
  • Kevin Uba, RP (Non-Council Committee Member)
  • Kevin VanDerZwet-Stafford, RP (Non-Council Committee Member)
  • Leslie Vesely, RP (Non-Council Committee Member)
  • Jeffrey Vincent (Vice-Chair)

Nominations and Elections*

The Nominations and Elections Committee establishes election processes, assists the Registrar in supervising and administering the election process and addresses election-related disputes. It could also function to encourage CRPO registrants to consider running for positions on Council and may be involved in identifying potential candidates.

Nominations and Elections Committee – Terms of Reference

Committee Members:

  • Sherine Fahmy (Chair)
  • Avni Jain, RP
  • David Keast
  • Michael Machan, RP
  • Judy Mord, RP
  • Ibukun Ogunsina, RP (Non-Council Committee Member)
  • Henry Pateman
  • Carla Ribeiro, RP (Non-Council Committee Member)
  • Kafui Sawyer, RP
  • Radhika Sundar, RP

Professional Practice Working Group*

The PPWG ensures the knowledge of practicing clinicians informs policy and resource development and promotes coordination between parallel initiatives across Council and Committees.

Professional Practice Working Group – terms of reference

Working Group Members:

  • Kali Hewitt-Blackie, RP
  • David Keast
  • Kenneth Lomp, RP
  • Michael Machan, RP
  • Judy Mord, RP

Quality Assurance (QA)

Working from the foundation set out in the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991, and the Quality Assurance Regulation, the Quality Assurance (QA) Committee develops policies, processes, and related tools and resources to support CRPO registrants in meeting requirements of the QA Program.

Quality Assurance Committee – Terms of Reference
QAC orientation slides

Committee Members:

  • Heidi Ahonen, RP
  • Felipe Cepeda, RP (Non-Council Committee Member)
  • Kayleen Edwards, RP (Vice-Chair, Non-Council Committee Member)
  • Sherine Fahmy
  • Kali Hewitt-Blackie, RP
  • Avni Jain, RP
  • David Keast
  • Kenneth Lomp, RP (Chair)
  • Miranda Monastero, RP
  • Jeffrey Vincent

Registration

The Registration Committee develops registration policy and processes, and its members form panels to review applications for registration that have been referred by staff.

Registration Committee – Terms of Reference
Registration Committee orientation slides

Committee Members:

  • Heidi Ahonen, RP
  • Elda Almario, RP (Non-Council Committee Member)
  • Carolle Boivin, RP (Non-Council Committee Member)
  • Louis Busch, RP (Non-Council Committee Member)
  • Avni Jain, RP
  • David Keast (Vice-Chair)
  • Michael Machan, RP (Chair)
  • Muriel McMahon, RP (Non-Council Committee Member)
  • Henry Pateman
  • Edite (Urpi) Pine, RP (Non-Council Committee Member)
  • Ahil Nageswaran, RP (Non-Council Committee Member)
  • Radhika Sundar, RP
  • Glenn Walsh, RP (Non-Council Committee Member)