The Discipline Process

The College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) is responsible for addressing complaints and other concerns about the conduct, competence and capacity of its registrants.

Serious matters involving allegations of professional misconduct or incompetence may be referred to the Discipline Committee for a hearing.

Discipline Hearings

A discipline hearing is a formal, legal process. Evidence is presented to a panel of three to five Discipline Committee members, including members of the profession and members of the public appointed to the College’s Council by the Lieutenant Governor-in-Council.

The College is represented by a lawyer who prosecutes the case. The registrant is advised to retain a competent representative, but may choose to be self-represented. In addition, the panel has its own legal advisor, known as Independent Legal Counsel (ILC), who is independent of the College and the registrant.

Careful preparation goes into conducting a hearing. The names of witnesses, documentary evidence and the reports of expert witnesses, must be disclosed in advance, both by the College and the registrant. In addition, pre-hearing conferences may be held to discuss whether any issues can be settled or simplified in advance of the hearing.

Discipline hearings are generally held in public.

If a registrant is found to have committed professional misconduct, the committee may make one or more of the following orders:

  • direct the Registrar to revoke the registrant’s Certificate of Registration;
  • direct the Registrar to suspend the registrant’s Certificate of Registration for a specified period of time;
  • direct the Registrar to impose specified terms, conditions and limitations on the registrant’s Certificate of Registration for a specified or indefinite period of time;
  • require the registrant to appear before the panel to be reprimanded;
  • require the registrant to pay a fine of not more than $35,000 to the Minister of Finance;
  • if the act of professional misconduct was the sexual abuse of a client, require the registrant to reimburse the College for funding provided for that client under the Client Relations Program; and
  • if the panel makes an order under paragraph 6, require the registrant to post security acceptable to the College to guarantee the payment of any amounts the registrant may be required to reimburse under the order under paragraph 6.

If the professional misconduct involved sexual abuse of a client, the panel shall reprimand the registrant and suspend their Certificate of Registration. In cases involving intercourse or certain forms of sexual touching of a client, the panel is required to revoke the registrant’s Certificate of Registration for a period of at least five years.

Rules and Practice Directions

The Discipline Committee has Rules of Procedure that govern how discipline hearings are conducted. The Rules are reviewed by the Committee periodically.

The Discipline Committee may also adopt practice directions. These currently include:

Information for Registrants

CRPO provides this document to registrants who have allegations about their conduct referred to the Discipline Committee. It contains general information about the hearing process.

Discipline Hearing Observers

Discipline hearings are generally open to the public, unless the panel has ordered otherwise. Attendance at a hearing is subject to available space. In order to reserve an observer seat at a discipline hearing, please contact us at hearings@crpo.ca.

General Information for Observers

  • The use of any audio/visual equipment, including video cameras, laptop computers, tape recorders or phones in the hearing room is not permitted.
  • Cell phones, pagers, alarms and electronic devices should be turned off during the proceedings.
  • Refrain from conversing during the proceedings.
  • Remain as quiet as possible in the area immediately outside of the hearing room to avoid disrupting the proceedings.
  • Refrain from approaching or speaking with any hearing participants, including the member, witnesses, the discipline panel or lawyers.
  • No food or drink other than water is permitted in the hearing room, except during breaks.
  • Please refrain from wearing perfume, aftershave or other scents.

Protocol to be Observed During the Hearing

  • Generally, only hearing participants may speak, and then only when recognized by the Discipline Committee panel Chair.
  • All present are required to rise as the Discipline Committee panel enters or leaves the hearing room, and to remain standing until the panel is seated or has exited the room.
  • Observers are advised to enter and exit the hearing room during breaks only.
  • Latecomers will be seated during breaks in the hearing.
  • Anyone not following this protocol may be removed by the Chair.

Current Discipline Hearings

The list below outlines current referrals to the Discipline Committee, including the details of scheduled hearings.

In the interest of the health and safety of everyone involved and to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus, the CRPO has temporarily stopped in-person hearings in favour of virtual or written hearings.

If you would like to observe a virtual hearing, please contact the Hearings Officer (hearings@crpo.ca) or 416-479-4330, ext. 125 and we will provide you with access to the videoconference.

Patricia McLean

Member Name: Patricia McLean

Registration Number: 002581

Notice of Hearing and Allegations:

Notice of Hearing

Summary of Allegations:

1. The Registrant engaged in boundary violations with and/or sexually abused Client 1.

2. The Registrant engaged in boundary violations with Client 2.

Hearing Date: Awaiting scheduling.

Antonio Greco

Member Name: Antonio Greco

Registration Number: 003828

Order

Hearing Date: September 19, 2023, via videoconference.

Status: Awaiting written reasons.

Gordon Riddell

Member Name: Gordon Riddell

Registration Number: 007856

Notice of Hearing and Allegations:

Notice of Hearing

Summary of Allegations:

1.The Registrant breached a Compliance Order issued by the Superintendent of Private Career Colleges (PCC) when he:

  1. Made and/or permitted to be made false and/or misleading statements regarding the status of Transformation Arts College’s (TAC) program with the Ministry of College and Universities and the College; and
  2. Permitted TAC to advertise and/or offer and/or provide the diploma program while it was prohibited from doing so.

Hearing Date: Awaiting scheduling.

Michael Hynes

Name of Registrant: Michael Hynes

Registration Number: 001051

Notice of Hearing and Allegations

Notice of Hearing

Decision with Reasons on Finding 

Summary of Allegations:  

  1. The Registrant sexually abused Client A.
  2. The Registrant abused Client A verbally, physically, psychologically and emotionally.
  3. The Registrant acted in a professional capacity while in a conflict of interest.
  4. The Registrant failed to maintain appropriate records.

Hearing Dates: August 14, 15, and 16, 2023 via videoconference.

Status: Awaiting Hearing on Penalty and Costs.

Elisabeth Haramic

Name of Registrant: Elisabeth Haramic

Registration Number: 001399

Notice of Hearing and Allegations

Notice of Hearing

Summary of Allegations:  

  1. Violating boundaries and sexually abusing a client.

Hearing Date: The discipline hearing that was originally scheduled to commence August 23, 2021 was adjourned due to an agreement entered between the Registrant and the College that would allow the Registrant to first address allegations in another proceeding.

Discipline Decisions

The Decision and Reasons arising from each referral to the Discipline Committee are posted below, following approval by the panel that heard the matter.