After years of preliminary effort and lobbying, OAMFT and the Ontario Coaltion of Mental Health Professionals of which OAMFT is a leading member, are pleased to announce that Bill 171 containing the Psychotherapy Act, was passed and received Royal Assent on 4 June 2007.
For FAQ's about about the new Psychotherapy Act click here:
For the Health System Improvements Act, Bill 171, Psychotherapy Act click here
What is Regulation and why is it critical for YOU?
Regulation is the result of provincial government legislation that creates a professional College which ensures that the public will be informed about a profession and have access to quality care from qualified professionals. The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, introduced Bill 171 to the House on December 12, 2006. The Bill was passed in June 2007.
People who seek professional help for relationship or mental health issues are entitled to optimal care from highly trained professionals who have the expertise and training required. Currently, RMFT's are self regulated and committed to a professional Code of Ethics. In the province of Ontario, RMFT's are not yet regulated by a Legislative Act. However, on June 4, the Psychotherapy Act, 2007 received Royal Assent. At this time only a few sections of the Act are in force and the College of Psychotherapists and Registered Mental Health Therapists of Ontario has yet to be formed. A Transitional Council for the new College was formed in 2009 and continues the work of determining the particulars of the college.
Why was 2007 a crucial year for OAMFT?
Because 2007 is the year that Bill 171 - which includes legislation regulating our profession - was introduced by the Ministry of Health to the Ontario government, and was passed by the Ontario Legislature.
What did HPRAC recommend to the government?
The Health Professions Regulatory Advisory Council (HPRAC) held consultations in 2005 to consider, amongst many other matters, the regulations of Psychotherapists and psychotherapy. OAMFT participated in those consultations, and submitted a brief in November 2005. On May 19, 2006, HPRAC submitted a report to the Minister of Health and Long Term Care. Following an extensive examination of the relevant issues HPRAC concluded that:
* both psychotherapists and psychotherapy should be regulated
* psychotherapy can be distinguished from supportive counselling * any new regulatory framework should address both currently
regulated and currently unregulated practitioners.
These recommendations are listed in the HPRAC document New Directions
What does OAMFT think about the HPRAC recommendations? OAMFT filed a response to the report and is also a signatory of the response filed by the Ontario Coalition of Mental Health Professionals. OAMFT recommends that the title of "Marriage and Family Therapist" be protected, along with other specializations such as "Addiction Therapist" to help the public distinguish between practitioners who have many competencies in common but who also have very different competencies in specialized areas of practice.
OAMFT agrees with the position taken by the Ontario Coalition of Mental Health Professionals that the regulation of psychotherapy should include more than one protected title to assist the public with making an informed choice for an appropriate practitioner.
Why is OAMFT a member of the Ontario Coalition of Mental Health Professionals?
The Ontario Coalition of Mental Health Professionals is an umbrella organization whose members are professional associations in the field of mental health. The Coalition was formed in 2002 to address the issue of regulating counselling and psychotherapy in Ontario. OAMFT has been a member of the Coalition since its inception and has provided active leadership in its evolving identity as "The Coalition" that speaks with a single voice to represent a variety of currently unregulated mental health professions.
Will MFT be regulated as a distinct profession?
This is still our goal! This matter will be decided by the Transitional Council of the new College of Registered Psychotherapists and Mental Health Therapists (name change 2009). OAMFT is committed to lobbying for the recognition of MFT as a distinct profession. Every brief submitted has emphasized the distinction of our profession.
