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Council & Committees

Council & Committees

CRPO is governed by a Council of nine elected members and as many public members as are appointed by the Lieutenant Governor-in-Council in accordance with section six of the Psychotherapy Act, 2007.


Governance
Council & Committees

Council & Committees

CRPO is governed by a Council of nine elected members and as many public members as are appointed by the Lieutenant Governor-in-Council in accordance with section six of the Psychotherapy Act, 2007.

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About Council

 

The College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) is governed by a Council of nine elected members and as many public members as are appointed by the Lieutenant Governor-in-Council in accordance with section six of the Psychotherapy Act, 2007. The Council and its committees make decisions related to registration requirements, standards of practice, continuing professional development and the professional conduct of members, along with developing and monitoring regulations, policies and business systems for CRPO. Council’s duties are supported by a number of statutory and non-statutory committees, as well as by CRPO staff.

Council & Committee Competencies

Competencies

  • As the body charged with ensuring that Registered Psychotherapists provide safe, ethical and competent care to Ontarians, individuals serving on Council and committees must possess the knowledge, skills and experience to discharge their duties effectively.

  • Council Competencies

    CRPO’s Council has adopted a competency framework, which sets out the required individual and Council level competencies and committee composition. This framework allows CRPO to be effective and efficient by directing that qualified individuals are elected, appointed and recruited and that appropriate training and professional development is provided to ensure continued competence across all regulatory and governance functions.

    Read more here

  • Committee Competencies

    The Committee Competencies are specific attributes and competencies required of those members who participate as Committee members in carrying out committee workplans as well as rendering decisions on complaints and reports, quality assurance and registration matters related to individual applicants and registrants.

    Read more here

  • Committee Composition

    Each committee must be comprised to provide the needed mix of experience and skills to fulfill its mandate.

    Read more here

  • Discipline/FTP Panel Competencies

    Council members and non-elected members serving on Discipline and Fitness to Practice Hearing panels are expected to demonstrate the attributes and have the competencies required of all Council members, as well as the competencies for screening panel members.

    Read more here

List of Council Members

Below are the list of Council Members.

  • Council

    List of Council Members

    • Heidi Ahonen, RP, Vice-President
    • Steven Boychyn, Public Member
    • Janet Cullen, RP (District 8 – Ontario)
    • Kayleen Edwards, RP (District 5 – South West
    • Nicolas El-Kada, RP (District 3 – East)
    • Jasun Fox, Public Member
    • Anabel Helen, RP (District 7 – Central)
    • Kathleen (Kali) Hewitt-Blackie, RP, President (District 7 – Central)
    • Jason King, Public Member
    • Valerie Kates, RP (District 4 – Central East)
    • Kaydee Richmond, Public Member
    • Kevin Sack, Public Member
    • Radhika Sundar, RP (District 6 – Central West)
    • Jeffrey Vincent, Public Member
    • Mark Whiticar, RP (District 2 – North)
    Council Biographies

List of Non-Council Members

Below are the list of Non-Council Members and Appointments.

  • Non-Council Members

    Non-Council Members and Appointments, Part 1

    • Elda Almario, RP (Registration)
    • Rose Marie Anthony, RP (DEIWG)
    • Roman Bina, RP (Quality Assurance)
    • Shelley Briscoe-Dimock, RP (Discipline/FTP)
    • Andrew Benedetto, RP (Discipline/FTP)
    • Amanda Carver, RP (Registration)
    • Felipe Cepeda, RP (Quality Assurance)
    • Laurinda Cheng, RP (DEIWG, Registration)
    • Carol Cowan-Levine, RP (Discipline/FTP)
    • Vanessa Cubacub, RP (DEIWG)
    • Darlene Cyrus-Blaize, RP (ICRC)
    • Michael Dougan, RP, (Examination)
    Read their biographies
  • Non-Council Members

    Non-Council Members and Appointments, Part 2

    • Hina Islam, RP (DEIWG)
    • DeRoux Jones, RP (ICRC)
    • Sheldon Kawarsky (CRPO-appointed Public Member)
    • Iva Keighley, RP, (Examination)
    • Katharine King, RP (Quality Assurance)
    • Sara Kohtala, RP, (Client Relations)
    • Miranda Monastero, RP (Discipline/FTP)
    • Taryn Mototsune, RP, (ICRC)
    • Laura McNeilly, RP (DEIWG)
    • Ahilaruban Nageswaran, RP (Registration, Client Relations)
    • Sheeba Narikuzhy, RP (DEIWG)
    Read their biographies
  • Non-Council Members

    Non-Council Members and Appointments, Part 3

    • Aleksei Panov, RP (Examination)
    • Carla Ribeiro, RP (DEIW
    • Christopher Rudan, RP (ICRC)
    • Kasi Sewraj, RP (Quality Assurance)
    • Len Rudner (CRPO-appointed Public Member)
    • Alex St John, RP (Nominations)
    • Steven Stijacic (CRPO-appointed Public Member)
    • Roberta Timothy, RP (DEIWG)
    • Katja Julia Tupak, RP, (ICRC)
    • Kevin Uba, RP (ICRC)
    • Leslie Vesely, RP (ICRC)
    • Rasha Wahid, RP (Examination)
    • Glenn Walsh, RP (Registration)
    • Riffat Yusaf, RP (Examination, Client Relations)
    • Alex Zebeljan, RP (DEIWG, ICRC)
    • Adnan Zoubi, RP (Nominations)
    Read their biographies

List of Adjudicators

Below are the list of Adjudicators.

Committee Composition

 

The following are the statutory and non-statutory committees required so that the College can fulfill its regulatory mandate. Non-statutory committees/working groups are marked with an asterisk (*). For information on time commitment for various committees, see the Related Resources.

Client Relations Committee

  • Client Relations

    About

    The Client Relations Committee sets policy on the prevention of sexual abuse by CRPO registrants and administers a therapy and counselling fund for client victims of sexual abuse.

  • Client Relations

    Committee Members

    • Steven Boychyn
    • Janet Cullen, RP (Chair)
    • Kayleen Edwards, RP
    • Jason King
    • Sara Kohtala, RP, (Non-Council Committee Member / Vice-Chair)
    • Ahil Nageswaran, RP (Non-Council Committee Member)
    • Kaydee Richmond
    • Radhika Sundar, RP
    • Riffat Yusaf, RP (Non-Council Committee Member)
  • Client Relations

    Terms of Reference

    Terms of Reference are reviewed by committees annually to ensure they remain relevant.

    Read more here
  • Client Relations

    Orientation Modules

    Everything you need to know about being a CRPO Client Relations Committee member.

    Read more here

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Working Group*

  • Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

    About

    The DEIWG provides advice and recommendations to Council and Committees on matters that relate to diversity, equity and inclusion affecting client members of the public, Registered Psychotherapists, and related practices, protocols and procedures.

  • Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

    Working Group Members

    • Rose Marie Anthony, RP
    • Laurinda Cheng, RP
    • Vanessa Cubacub, RP
    • Hina Islam, RP
    • Laura McNeilly, RP
  • Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

    Working Group Members Continued

    • Sheeba Narikuzhy, RP
    • Carla Ribeiro, RP
    • Roberta Timothy, RP
    • Alex Zebeljan, RP (co-Chair)
  • Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

    Terms of Reference

    Terms of Reference are reviewed by committees annually to ensure they remain relevant.

    Read more here

Ontario Registered Psychotherapists Discipline Tribunal

  • Discipline

    About

    The Ontario Registered Psychotherapists Discipline Tribunal (ORPDT) holds discipline hearings in accordance with the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991. It also sets policy and procedure relating to the discipline process

  • Discipline

    Committee Members

    All members of Council sit on this committee.

     

    • David Wright (Chair, Non-Council Member / Adjudicator)
    • Shelley Briscoe-Dimock (Vice Chair, Non-Council Member)
    • Janet Cullen, RP
    • Heidi Ahonen, RP
    • Raj Anand (Non-Council Member / Adjudicator)
    • Andrew Benedetto, RP (Non-Council Member)
    • Steven Boychyn
    • Carol Cowan-Levine, RP (Non-Council Member)
  • Discipline

    Committee Members Continued

    • Kayleen Edwards, RP
    • Nicolas El-Kada, RP
    • Jasun Fox
    • Anabel Helen, RP
    • Kathleen (Kali) Hewitt-Blackie, RP
    • Valerie Kates, RP
    • Jason King
    • Sherry Liang (Non-Council Member / Adjudicator)
  • Discipline

    Committee Members Continued

    • Sophie Martel (Non-Council Member / Adjudicator)
    • Miranda Monastero, RP (Non-Council Member)
    • Kaydee Richmond
  • Discipline

    Committee Members Continued

    • Kevin Sack
    • Jay Sengupta (Non-Council Member / Adjudicator)
    • Jennifer Scott (Non-Council Member / Adjudicator)
    • Radhika Sundar, RP
    • Jeffrey Vincent
    • Mark Whiticar, RP

Examination Committee*

  • Examination

    About

    The Examination Committee considers appeals regarding failure of the Registration Exam, where there are alleged grounds of unfairness. It may also grant time extensions to individuals who, due to extenuating circumstances, are unable to write the exam within the set time period.

  • Examination

    Committee Members

    • Heidi Ahonen, RP (Chair)
    • Steven Boychyn
    • Michael Dougan, RP (Non-Council Committee Member)
    • Jasun Fox
    • Anabel Helen, RP
    • Kali Hewitt-Blackie, RP
    • Iva Keighley, RP (Non-Council Committee Member)
    • Aleksei Panov, RP (Non-Council Committee Member)
    • Kevin Sack
    • Rasha Wahid, RP (Non-Council Committee Member)
    • Riffat Yusaf, RP (Vice-Chair, Non-Council Committee Member)
  • Examination

    Terms of Reference

    Terms of Reference are reviewed by committees annually to ensure they remain relevant.

    Read more here
  • Examination

    Orientation Slides

    Everything you need to know about being a CRPO Examination Committee member.

    See slides here

Executive Committee

  • Executive

    About

    Elected by Council, the Executive Committee provides strategic direction, financial oversight and engages in policy development. In certain circumstances, it may act on behalf of Council.

  • Executive

    Committee Members

    Professional

    • Heidi Ahonen, RP (Vice-Chair)
    • Anabel Helen, RP
    • Kathleen (Kali) Hewitt-Blackie, RP (Chair)

     

    Public

    • Steven Boychyn
    • Jeffrey Vincent
  • Executive

    Terms of Reference

    Terms of Reference are reviewed by committees annually to ensure they remain relevant.

    Read more here
  • Executive

    Governance Reform Initiative - Terms of Reference

    Terms of Reference are reviewed by committees annually to ensure they remain relevant.

    Read more here

Fitness to Practice Committee

  • Fitness to Practice Committee

    About

    The Fitness to Practise Committee holds hearings related to alleged registrant incapacity in accordance with the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991. It also sets policy and procedure relating to the fitness to practise process.

  • Fitness to Practice Committee

    Committee Members

    • Heidi Ahonen, RP
    • Raj Anand (Non-Council Member / Adjudicator)
    • Andrew Benedetto, RP
    • Steven Boychyn
    • Shelley Briscoe-Dimock (Vice Chair, Non-Council Member)
    • Carol Cowan-Levine, RP (Non-Council Member)
    • Janet Cullen, RP
  • Fitness to Practice Committee

    Committee Members Continued

    • Kayleen Edwards, RP
    • Nicolas El-Kada, RP
    • Jasun Fox
    • Anabel Helen, RP
    • Kathleen (Kali) Hewitt-Blackie, RP
    • Valerie Kates, RP
    • Jason King
    • Sherry Liang (Non-Council Member / Adjudicator)
  • Fitness to Practice Committee

    Committee Members Continued

    • Sophie Martel (Non-Council Member / Adjudicator)
    • Miranda Monastero, RP (Non-Council Member)
    • Kaydee Richmond
    • Kevin Sack
    • David Wright (Chair, Non-Council Member / Adjudicator)
    • Jeffrey Vincent
    • Mark Whiticar, RP

Inquiries, Complaints, & Reports Committee (ICRC)

  • Inquiries, Complaints, & Reports Committee (ICRC)

    About

    The Inquiries, Complaints, and Reports Committee panels screen complaints and other concerns about registrants and decide how to deal with them (e.g. issue a caution, refer to a discipline hearing, take no action). It also sets College policy on the screening process.

  • Inquiries, Complaints, & Reports Committee (ICRC)

    Committee Members

    • Steven Boychyn
    • Janet Cullen, RP
    • Darlene Cyrus-Blaize, RP (Non-Council Committee Member)
    • Nicolas El-Kada, RP (Chair)
    • Jasun Fox
    • Kali Hewitt-Blackie, RP
  • Inquiries, Complaints, & Reports Committee (ICRC)

    Committee Members Continued

    • DeRoux Jones, RP (Non-Council Committee Member)
    • Valerie Kates, RP
    • Sheldon Kawarsky (CRPO-appointed Public Member)
    • Jason King
    • Taryn Mototsune, RP (Non-Council Committee Member)
    • Kaydee Richmond
    • Christopher Rudan, RP (Non-Council Committee Member)
    • Len Rudner (CRPO-appointed Public Member)
    • Steven Stijacic (CRPO-appointed Public Member)
  • Inquiries, Complaints, & Reports Committee (ICRC)

    Committee Members Continued

    • Kevin Sack
    • Katja Julia Tupak, RP (Non-Council Committee Member)
    • Kevin Uba, RP (Non-Council Committee Member)
    • Leslie Vesely, RP (Vice-Chair, Non-Council Committee Member)
    • Jeffrey Vincent
    • Alex Zebeljan, RP (Non-Council Committee Member)
  • Inquiries, Complaints, & Reports Committee (ICRC)

    Terms of Reference

    Terms of Reference are reviewed by committees annually to ensure they remain relevant.

    Read more here
  • Inquiries, Complaints, & Reports Committee (ICRC)

    Orientation Modules

    Everything you need to know about being a CRPO Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee member.

    Read more here

Nominations & Elections Committee*

  • Nominations & Elections Committee*

    About

    The Nominations and Elections Committee establishes election processes, assists the Registrar in supervising and administering the election process and addresses election-related disputes. It can also function to encourage CRPO registrants to consider running for positions on Council.

  • Nominations & Elections Committee*

    Committee Members

    • Anabel Helen, RP
    • Kaydee Richmond
    • Kevin Sack (Vice-Chair)
    • Alex St. John, RP (Non-Council Committee Member)
    • Radhika Sundar, RP (Chair)
    • Mark Whiticar, RP
    • Adnan Zoubi, RP (Non-Council Committee Member)
  • Nominations & Elections Committee*

    Terms of Reference

    Terms of Reference are reviewed by committees annually to ensure they remain relevant.

    Read more here
  • Nominations & Elections Committee*

    Orientation Modules

    Everything you need to know about being a CRPO Nominations and Elections Committee member.

    Read more here

Professional Practice Working Group (PPWG)*

  • Professional Practice

    About

    The Professional Practice Working Group ensures the knowledge of practicing clinicians informs policy and resource development and promotes coordination between parallel initiatives across Council and Committees.

  • Professional Practice

    Working Group Members

    • Elda Almario, RP
    • Janet Cullen, RP
    • Kayleen Edwards, RP
    • Nicolas El-Kada, RP
    • Kali Hewitt-Blackie, RP
  • Professional Practice

    Terms of Reference

    Terms of Reference are reviewed by committees annually to ensure they remain relevant.

    Read more here

Quality Assurance Committee

  • Quality Assurance

    About

    Working from the foundation set out in the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991, and the Quality Assurance Regulation, the Quality Assurance (QA) Committee develops policies, processes, and related tools and resources to support CRPO registrants in meeting requirements of the QA Program.

  • Quality Assurance

    Committee Members

    • Heidi Ahonen, RP
    • Roman Bina, RP (Non-Council Committee Member)
    • Felipe Cepeda, RP (Non-Council Committee Member)
    • Janet Cullen, RP
    • Kayleen Edwards, RP (Chair)
    • Kali Hewitt-Blackie, RP
    • Valerie Kates, RP
    • Jason King
    • Katharine King, RP (Non-Council Committee Member)
    • Kasi Sewraj, RP (Non-Council Committee Member)
    • Jeffrey Vincent
  • Quality Assurance

    Terms of Reference

    Terms of Reference are reviewed by committees annually to ensure they remain relevant.

    Read more here
  • Quality Assurance

    Orientation Modules

    Everything you need to know about being a CRPO Quality Assurance Committee member.

    Read more here

Registration Committee

  • Registration Committee

    About

    The Registration Committee develops registration policy and processes, and its members form panels to review applications for registration that have been referred by staff.

  • Registration Committee

    Committee Members

    • Heidi Ahonen, RP
    • Elda Almario, RP (Chair, Non-Council Committee Member)
    • Amanda Carver Bartlett, RP (Non-Council Committee Member)
    • Laurinda Cheng, RP (Non-Council Committee Member)
    • Jasun Fox
    • Anabel Helen, RP
  • Registration Committee

    Committee Members Continued

    • Ahil Nageswaran, RP (Vice-Chair, Non-Council Committee Member)
    • Kevin Sack
    • Radhika Sundar, RP
    • Glenn Walsh, RP (Non-Council Committee Member)
    • Mark Whiticar, RP
  • Registration Committee

    Terms of Reference

    Terms of Reference are reviewed by committees annually to ensure they remain relevant.

    Read more here
  • Registration Committee

    Orientation Modules

    Everything you need to know about being a CRPO Registration Committee member.

    Read more here

Policies

Council and committee policies.

  • Policies

    Committee Appointments

    The purpose of this policy is to establish a transparent process regarding the appointment of individuals to serve on committees, working groups, and task groups of Council.

    See policy here
  • Policies

    Council and Committee Laptops

    The purpose of this policy is to protect against unauthorized disclosure of information required for the performance of Council and committee work.

    See policy here
  • Policies

    Council Registrar Relationship

    The purpose of the policy is to establish clear lines of authority, accountability and communication between Council and the Registrar.

    See policy here
  • Policies

    Council Leave of Absence

    The purpose of this policy is to provide Council with guidelines for approving leaves of absence for elected and appointed Council members.

    See policy here
  • Policies

    Remuneration of Council and Committee Members

    The purpose of the policy is to establish and articulate the approach and process for compensation of professional Council members.

  • Policies

    Reimbursing CRPO Guests

    The purpose of this policy is to establish reasonable travel reimbursement for CRPO guests.

    See policy here
  • Policies

    Social Media Use

    This policy establishes guidelines for reasonable use of social media by CRPO Council and committee members, balancing good governance, appropriate conduct, and free expression.

    See policy here
  • Policies

    Succession Planning

    The purpose of this policy is to ensure that Council and committee members in leadership roles possess the competencies, knowledge, and experience necessary to provide continuity and direction for the College to achieve its strategic objectives.

    See policy here

Modules and Orientation

Modules and Orientation
  • Modules and Orientation CRPO Council Role Orientation Module

    This course provides an essential introduction for CRPO Council and committee members to understand their roles and responsibilities within a regulatory framework.

    Complete the module
  • Modules and Orientation CRPO Governance Module: Committees and Panels

    In this module, you will learn about CRPO committee structure and function and understand the role of panels.

    Complete the module
  • Modules and Orientation Client Relations Committee Orientation

    Everything you need to know about being a CRC member

    Read more here
  • Modules and Orientation Examination Committee Orientation

    Everything you need to know about being an Examination Committee member

    Read more here
  • Modules and Orientation Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee Orientation

    Everything you need to know about being an ICRC member

    Read more here
  • Modules and Orientation Nominations and Elections Committee Orientation

    Everything you need to know about being a Nominations and Elections Committee member

    Read more here
  • Modules and Orientation Quality Assurance Committee Orientation

    Everything you need to know about being an QA Committee member

    Read more here
  • Modules and Orientation Registration Committee Orientation

    Everything you need to know about being a Registration Committee member

    Read more here

Council & Committee Resources

  • Competency Matrices Council and Committee Time Commitment
    July 17, 2023 / PDF (182 KB)
  • Competency Matrices Council Competency Matrix
    September 14, 2023 / PDF (180 KB)
  • Competency Matrices Committee Competency Matrix
    September 23, 2023 / PDF (94 KB)
  • Competency Matrices Committee Composition Matrix
    September 10, 2020 / PDF (104 KB)
  • Competency Matrices Discipline & Fitness to Practise Competency Matrix
    September 10, 2020 / PDF (77 KB)
  • Role Descriptions Committee Chair Role Description
    June 12, 2025 / PDF (111 KB)
  • Role Descriptions Committee Vice-Chair Role Description
    June 12, 2025 / PDF (107 KB)
  • Role Descriptions Executive-at-Large Role Description
    June 12, 2025 / PDF (98 KB)
  • Role Descriptions Panel Chair Role Description
    June 12, 2025 / PDF (101 KB)
  • Role Descriptions President Role Description
    June 12, 2025 / PDF (104 KB)
  • Role Descriptions Vice President Role Description
    June 12, 2025 / PDF (98 KB)
  • Miscellaneous College Performance Measurement Framework
    March 5, 2024 / PDF (1,004 KB)
  • Miscellaneous Regulatory Objectives
    December 20, 2023 / PDF (119 KB)
  • Miscellaneous Strategic Plan (2023-2026)
    December 20, 2023 / PDF (513 KB)
  • Miscellaneous Situational Analysis on the State of Governance 
    June 3, 2019 / PDF (376 KB)

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