Friend: “You should really go to therapy.”
You: “I mean—sure, therapy sounds great, but… where do I even start?”
Opens Google, types: “therapist in Toronto”
Sees 10 pages of results
“Okay… but do I need a psychotherapist? A psychologist? A social worker? And why does it say Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), what does that even mean?”
Overwhelmed, closes the browser.
We are told to go to therapy, but nobody teaches us how, what or who. So let me explain – bit by bit – and hopefully this will help you make an informed decision about how to go about starting therapy.
Let’s talk about what it means for a psychotherapist to be “Qualifying” – because no, it doesn’t mean they are ‘unqualified’.
Nerd Out: The Long Answer
In Ontario, psychotherapy is regulated. This means that there’s a governing body that oversees the work of those who call themselves psychotherapists conducting psychotherapy. This is to ensure that they are practicing ethically and within certain standards. “Registered Psychotherapist” is a protected and regulated title – this means that you can’t just call yourself a psychotherapist without being recognized by the College. In Ontario, the body that governs psychotherapists is called the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO).
When a clinician first registers with the College, they are granted the title of “Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)”. As they gain more experience while registered with the College, they can qualify for subsequent registration categories: Registered Psychotherapist and Registered Psychotherapist (Independent Practice).
This is how a psychotherapist moves from one licensing category to the next:
From RP(Qualifying) to RP:
- Successfully pass the CRPO Registration Exam
- Complete 450 direct client contact hours
- Complete 100 clinical supervision hours
From RP to RP(Independent Practice):
- Complete (with previously accumulated hours) 1000 direct client contact hours
- Complete (with previously accumulated hours) 150 clinical supervision hours
RP (Qualifying) and RPs are required by CRPO to access Clinical Supervision for their practice.
TL;DR
The registration category of a psychotherapist matters – at least a little bit. It points to the amount of direct experience and supervision they have received while being registered with the College. AND it is also important to understand that RP (Qualifying) does not necessarily mean “less experienced”. Some clinicians bring extensive counselling, coaching, and teaching experiences gained before registering with the College.
From our experience, the most important factors in therapy aren’t about years of registration, but about who you connect with and who can help you feel safe sharing. These qualities are deeply personal characteristics that develop through human interaction, not simply through clinical experience!
So, take note of the therapist’s registration category. But also, read their profile and see if the vibe is right. And then book a free 15-minute consultation. Then ask them more about how they can help you! Your gut will tell you whether they feel “experienced enough” for your liking.