Should I file a complaint or report?

To file a complaint, please email, mail, or fax us a completed Complaint Form linked in Related Resources below.

Yes, you must provide your name and contact information. If you are filing the complaint on behalf of the client, it would be helpful if you also provide the name of the client.

Yes. The person filing the complaint (the “Complainant”) will be kept up to date on the progress of the complaint and receive a written decision at the end of the process.

Staff will review the complaint and determine what additional investigation, if any, is required. The Registrant will be notified of the complaint within 14 days of the College receiving it. If a formal investigation is required, you may be contacted by an investigator (this could be a staff person or an investigator contracted by the College) for an interview. The investigator’s role is to interview relevant witnesses and collect any necessary documentation. The investigator does not make the decision. Once the investigation is complete, the registrant will be required to respond to the complaint in writing. Finally, the Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee (ICRC) will meet to make a decision.

Yes, when the final decision is released, you and the psychotherapist have the chance to appeal to an independent tribunal called the Health Professions Appeal and Review Board (HPARB). This does not apply if the decision of the Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee (ICRC) is to refer the matter to disciplinary or incapacity proceedings.

As of May 1, 2023, the average processing time for a formal complaint is 270 days from the date the complaint is received to the date the decision is issued. Registrants and complainants will receive status updates after 150 days.

To report information to CRPO, please email, mail, or fax us a completed Report Form linked in Related Resources below.

Yes, you must provide your name and contact information. If you are filing the report on behalf of the client, it would be helpful if you also provide the name of the client.

No. The person filing the report (the “Reporter”) is not a party to the investigation and decision-making process. You will not receive a copy of the investigation report, registrant’s response or decision and reasons. CRPO will consider the matter and may ask the reporter for additional information.

Staff will review the report and determine what additional investigation, if any, is required. In most cases, the registrant will not be notified of the report until a preliminary investigation is complete. There is no required timeline for the College to provide notification to the registrant. If the Registrar determines there are reasonable and probable grounds to believe misconduct occurred, an investigator will be appointed to conduct a formal investigation. Once the investigation is complete, the registrant will have an opportunity to respond to the investigation before it is reviewed by the Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee (ICRC). If the Registrar determines there are no reasonable and probable grounds to believe misconduct occurred, or if the presenting issues appear to pose a low risk of harm to the public, the Registrar may decide a formal investigation is not necessary. In such cases, the Registrar may resolve the concerns by issuing advice to the registrant

There is no opportunity to request a review by the Health Professions Appeal and Review Board (HPARB).

The processing time for a report varies greatly, depending on whether a formal investigation is required