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 of Procedure of the Discipline Committee

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

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.

Phillip Kravetsky

Name of Registrant: Phillip Kravetsky

Registration Number: 003767

Notice of Hearing and Allegations

Notice of Hearing

Summary of Allegations:

  1. Engaged in inappropriate communication with a client.
  2. Failed to maintain appropriate records.
  3. Ignored requests by a client for a copy of their file.

Hearing Date: June 12 and 13, 2023 via videoconference.

Suzanne Muscat

Name of Registrant: Suzanne Muscat

Registration number: 004792

Notice of Hearing and Allegations

Notice of Hearing 

Summary of allegations:

  1. The Registrant failed to report children in need of protection.
  2. The Registrant failed to maintain confidential records.

Hearing Date: Awaiting scheduling

Christopher Saxton

Name of Registrant: Christopher Saxton

Registration Number: 003122

Notice of Hearing and Allegations

Notice of Hearing

Summary of Allegations:

1. The Registrant failed to complete a specified continuing education and remediation program (SCERP) on ethics and boundaries, as ordered by a panel of the Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee (ICRC).

Hearing Date: June 27, 2023 via video conference.

Sandra Joy

Name of Registrant: Sandra Joy

Registration Number: 002903

Notice of Hearing and Allegations

Notice of Hearing

Summary of Allegations:
1. The Registrant engaged in false, misleading or improper billing regarding HST.

Hearing Date: Awaiting scheduling.

Tae Hwang

Name of Registrant: Tae Hwang

Registration Number: 001962

Notice of Hearing and Allegations

Notice of Hearing

 Summary of Allegations:  

  1. The Registrant sexually abused Client A.
  2. The Registrant engaged in dual or multiple relationships with Client A.
  3. The Registrant abused Client A verbally, physically, psychologically or emotionally.

Hearing Date: April 11, 12 and 13, 2023 via videoconference.

Michael Hynes

Name of Registrant: Michael Hynes

Registration Number: 001051

Notice of Hearing and Allegations

Notice of Hearing

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 Date: Awaiting rescheduling.

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.