CRPO does not require students to be registered for practicum placements. All non-registrants can work in the broader scope of practice of psychotherapy. Additionally, students working towards registration fall under one of the exemptions in the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 to perform the controlled act of psychotherapy if they are supervised by a Registered Psychotherapist. CRPO has FAQs specific to practicum placements and supervision of the controlled act prior to registration.
Scope of Practice of Psychotherapy
The practice of psychotherapy is the assessment and treatment of cognitive, emotional or behavioural disturbances by psychotherapeutic means, delivered through a therapeutic relationship based primarily on verbal or non-verbal communication.
Controlled Act of Psychotherapy
In the course of engaging in the practice of psychotherapy, a member is authorized, subject to the terms, conditions and limitations imposed on their Certificate of Registration, to treat, by means of psychotherapy technique delivered through a therapeutic relationship, an individual’s serious disorder of thought, cognition, mood, emotional regulation, perception or memory that may seriously impair the individual’s judgement, insight, behaviour, communication or social functioning.
CRPO has an article on what students can call themselves and other considerations for practising prior to registration.