Who practices psychotherapy ?
Psychologists, physicians, and holders of a psychotherapist’s permit are authorized to practice psychotherapy.
Psychologists and physicians do not need an additional permit, because their respective training already qualifies them to provide psychotherapy.
In short, a psychotherapist is either:
- a psychologist,
- a physician (such as a psychiatrist),
- a professional who has obtained a psychotherapist’s permit:
- a vocational guidance counsellor, criminologist, occupational therapist, nurse, psychoeducator, marriage or family therapist, social worker, or sexologist, or
- a person who was already practising psychotherapy before 2012, at which time the law changed, and who was granted a psychotherapist’s permit under grandfather clauses ensuring the recognition of acquired rights.
When seeking help from a professional, do not hesitate to ask questions about that person’s training and experience.
To find out if a professional is authorized to exercise psychotherapy, check the professional directory (in French).
In Quebec, only certain licensed professionals are legally allowed to practice psychotherapy, since psychotherapy is a regulated act. The Order of Psychologists of Quebec (OPQ) determines who is (and is not) allowed to provide psychotherapy. The OPQ has determined that both Psychologists and Psychotherapists are qualified to provide psychotherapy.
Psychologists typically have an Undergraduate degree in psychology (3-4 years), a Master’s degree (1-2 years), and a PhD (4-6 years). Prior to 2006, a PhD was not required to become licensed as a psychologist.
Psychotherapists must have a professional license (e.g., Nurse, Social Worker, Counsellor) with extensive training in psychotherapy. They must also have a permit to practice psychotherapy, issued to them by the Order of Psychologists of Quebec (OPQ).
Please check with your insurance company to see if they cover services provided by a Psychologist or a Psychotherapist.
What does membership with the qca mean?
Membership to the QCA is obtained through the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA). You must be a member of the CCPA in order to apply for joint membership to the QCA. There is no additional cost to QCA membership. Click here to be directed to the CCPA site and the instructions for the joint CCPA/QCA professional membership application. There is also a student membership offered at a reduced rate.
What are the benefits of membership with the QCA?
We offer professional development workshops and networking opportunities with counselling professionals. The QCA organizes social events throughout the year and works hard to nurture a strong community of Anglophone counsellors. We are also involved in various mental health initiatives to help raise awareness.
THE QCA IS AN ASSOCIATION. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN ASSOCIATION AND A PROFESSIONAL ORDER?
Membership in an association is voluntary. Associations provide networking and professional development opportunities for their members. In short, associations exist to serve their members.
Professions in Quebec are regulated by professional orders (known elsewhere as a professional college). Orders exist to protect the public by setting standards for professional practice. Members of orders have the right to use a protected title (such as guidance counsellor) and the right to perform protected tasks in their field (such as assessing cognitive ability). Each order has different educational and professional requirements to grant licenses to practice. Graduation from an accredited program (typically a graduate program) is a minimum requirement.
QCA members come from a variety of professional backgrounds: Here are some professional orders and associations that our members are part of:
Order of Guidance Counsellors: https://www.orientation.qc.ca
Order of Psychologists: https://www.ordrepsy.qc.ca
Order of Social Workers and Couple and Family Therapists: https://www1.otstcfq.org
Order of Psychoeducators: http://www.ordrepsed.qc.ca
Association of Naturopath Professionals: https://www.anpq.qc.ca/en
Additionally, many of our members are Creative Arts Therapists who are trained in the fields of Art Therapy, Drama Therapy, Music Therapy and Dance Therapy. While there is no Order of Creative Arts Therapists in Quebec, there are many associations that meet the needs of professionals working in this field. Please see the CCPA Creative Arts in Counselling and Psychotherapy Chapter page for more information
DOES THE QCA OFFER A LICENSE TO PRACTICE?
Only orders can license a professional to practice in their field. The CCPA does offer a certification called the Canadian Certified Counsellor or CCC title. For more information click here. While this certification is useful to have, in Quebec licensing from an order is usually required to work.
IS ‘COUNSELLOR’ A PROTECTED TITLE IN QUEBEC? IS THERE AN ORDER OF COUNSELLORS?
Counsellor is not a protected title recognized in Quebec nor is there an Order of Counsellors. Rather, it is an umbrella term that includes professionals working in a helping capacity (Click here for the CCPA’s definition of counsellor). Our members come from a variety of professional backgrounds, as mentioned above.
Many of our members who have graduated from accredited counselling graduate programs belong to the Order of Guidance Counsellors (l’Ordre des conseillers et conseillères d’orientation du Québec) and use the protected title of conseiller/conseillère d’orientation (shortened to c.o.)
I HAVE MY CANADIAN CERTIFIED COUNSELLOR CERTIFICATION. DO I NEED TO BELONG TO AN ORDER TO WORK?
As counsellor is an unprotected title, it is possible to practice counselling with only your CCC certification. However, it is important to avoid performing protected tasks done by other professionals (for example, psychotherapy). It is also important to note that not belonging to an order may impact the type and availability of work opportunities open to you.
I AM CERTIFIED AS A MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL IN ANOTHER PROVINCE/COUNTRY. CAN I PRACTICE IN QUEBEC?
You will have to consult with the corresponding order which regulates your professional field. They can review your qualifications and determine your eligibility to join their order. Additional courses and/or examinations may be required.
It is important to keep in mind that a working knowledge of French is required in order to receive a license from a professional order. Professionals moving to Quebec from elsewhere are required to pass a French exam administered by the Office québécois de la langue française. For more information Click here . Please consult your intended order for more information.
I would like to practice psychotherapy. How can I do this?
Psychotherapy is a protected act that can be performed by psychologists, medical doctors and those who have obtained a psychotherapy permit issued by the Order of Psychologists (OPQ). The title of psychotherapist is reserved for those with this permit. If you wish to practice as a psychotherapist in Quebec you must already belong to a professional order as well as fulfill the requirements for the OPQ psychotherapy permit. For more information click here.
I AM LOOKING INTO GRADUATE PROGRAMS IN COUNSELLING AND PSYCHOTHERAPY. WHAT SHOULD I CONSIDER IF I WISH TO PRACTICE IN QUEBEC?
When evaluating graduate programs, it is important to research the type of work you intend to do as well as the type of license you will need. For example, as mentioned above, practicing psychotherapy requires that you are a member of a professional order. There are several programs in Quebec which grant automatic entry into professional orders; for example, the Masters of Counselling Psychology (Professional stream) at McGill fulfills the requirements of entry into the Order of Guidance Counsellors, and the MSc(A): Couple and Family Therapy Program at McGill fulfills the requirements of entry into both the Order of Social Workers and Couple and Family Therapists, as well as the Order of Psychologists (as psychotherapists).
If you wish to complete your studies outside the province/country, or via an online program, it is important to keep in mind that you will most likely have to do additional courses and/ or clinical work to be eligible to join a professional order. It is a good idea to consult with the corresponding order which regulates your professional field to inquire about additional work you will need to complete.
Please note that graduate programs that are accredited by the CCPA are not the same as graduate programs accredited by a professional order. Please see the answer above regarding the difference between associations and professional orders.
I would like to learn more about counselling and psychotherapy regulation in Quebec and how it compares to other provinces. How can I do this?
A good place to start is by consulting the CCPA website, which has a wealth of information on regulation across Canada. Click here for more information.
Registration
The information below is collected from regulatory agencies responsible for regulating the professions of marriage and family therapy. The information is reviewed on an annual basis. Please be advised that laws, regulations, and policies may change at any time, so always check with your province for the most up-to-date information.
The information below is collected from regulatory agencies responsible for regulating the professions of marriage and family therapy. The information is reviewed on an annual basis. Please be advised that laws, regulations, and policies may change at any time, so always check with your province for the most up-to-date information.
In Quebec, MFTs are regulated by the Order of Social Workers and Marriage and Family Therapists of Quebec.
Requirements for Candidates trained in Quebec
- Received a master’s degree from university institution located in Quebec in a field of mental health.
- Additional training after obtaining the master’s degree. It must consist of theoretical training, including:
- 360 hours or 24 credits in marriage and family therapy studies
- 500 hours of supervised direct contact in conjugal and family therapy.
- 100 hours of individual clinical supervision.
Requirements for Candidates trained elsewhere in Canada and the United States
- A master’s degree in marriage and family therapy, or a master’s degree in another mental health field followed by training in marriage and family therapy.
- 135 hours or 9 credits in prerequisite courses are required in the following topics: the development of the person, theoretical models of personality and behavior, and models or methods of intervention with the clientele
- Additional theoretical training, including:
- 360 hours or 24 credits in marriage and family therapy studies
- 500 hours of supervised direct contact in conjugal and family therapy.
- 100 hours of individual clinical supervision.
To read more about how to register as a Marriage and Family Therapist in Quebec, click here.
Continuing Education
A minimum of 30 hours of continuing education must be completed for a two-year reference period. Read more about continuing education.
Additional Resources
