This article was updated for the March 2025 Communiqué
Can I display my PhD or other credentials on my business card and website?
It’s important that registrants not mislead the public about their psychotherapy credentials, which is why the practice standard about use of titles exists. This standard indicates that “When acting in a professional capacity, registrants are expected to display only those education/training credentials related to the practice of the profession, specifically, the highest credential earned that is related to the practice of the profession and that meets established academic standards.” This means that, if your degree or credential is not directly related to the practice of psychotherapy, it should not appear alongside your other credentials or appear prominently on your website.
If you are not sure if your credential is related to the practice of the profession, ask yourself whether the program’s curriculum or your research addressed established psychotherapeutic theories and/or theories of human development, and whether it was concerned with the development of the skills that are necessary to engage a client in a safe, effective therapeutic process. If the answer to both questions is yes, then the credential is likely to be one that is related to the practice of the profession. If the answer to both is no, then it’s very possible the credential would not be considered related to the practice of the profession, in which case, you would be running afoul of CRPO standards.
Use of the “Doctor” or “Dr.” title
From the standard on use of titles:
Use of the title “Doctor” or “Dr.” is protected in the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 (RHPA). CRPO registrants are not permitted to use this title in a clinical setting. If a person is not from one of the health professions entitled to use the doctor title (chiropractic, optometry, medicine, psychology, dentistry) or a social worker with an earned doctorate degree in social work, they cannot use the title “Doctor” or “Dr.” in a clinical setting. This is the case even if the person has an earned doctoral degree (e.g., the person holds a Ph.D). Under this provision, the title “Doctor” can be used in other settings, socially or in a purely academic setting, where no clients are present.
Note: The above does not prevent a registrant from displaying a Ph.D or other doctoral degree in their promotional material, if the degree is their highest credential earned and is related to the practice of the profession.
Use of terms “psychology” and “psychological”
It is generally appropriate for RPs to use these words in conversation, for example:
“This treatment has been shown to have psychological benefits”
“My major was in psychology”
However, Ontario law prohibits their use “in any title or designation or in any description of services offered or provided.”[1] So, the following examples would be inappropriate if used by an RP:
Claiming they “offer psychological services”
Adding, after their name, “Psychology Consultant.”
The listing of academic degrees can require nuanced consideration. RPs are expected to list their highest academic degree related to the profession. Some official degree titles have the word “psychology” in them. Listing these would generally be acceptable. However, if an RP were to add the word “psychology” after their official degree title (e.g., they have an MA but write “MA Psychology”), this could be viewed as problematic. The key issue is whether they are inappropriately holding themselves out as qualified to practice as a psychologist.
CRPO registrants have worked hard to qualify to use the restricted title Registered Psychotherapist (RP). They can affirm their professional identity and qualifications without inappropriately using other terms and designations.
[1] Other than by registrants of the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario and those employed by universities (i.e., psychology professors), see Psychology and Applied Behaviour Analysis Act, 2021, section 8(3).
Use of other professional titles
If a registrant has more than one registration with a regulatory body (e.g., RP and another health profession, social work, or other regulatory body such as teachers), it would be important to only use restricted titles in accordance with the law (e.g., only use titles you are legally entitled to use). (See the dual registration article, linked in Related Resources below, for more information.)
Can I display the “Doctor of Medicine” or “MD” credential?
An RP would need to consider to what extent this credential is relevant to their practice of psychotherapy, and to consider the perspective of clients and members of the public who will see the credentials. The MD credential is highly recognized by the public as one that applies to physicians. If there is a chance that the credential will cause confusion to clients or members of the public, leading them to believe that the registrant is a doctor or qualified to practice medicine in Ontario, the registrant would need to consider how they would address this.
My employment role does not involve the provision of psychotherapy. Am I required to use the RP title?
Registrants often ask whether they are required to use the title in all employment settings. For example, some roles do not involve the provision of psychotherapy.
Standard 1.2 Use of Terms, Titles and Designations, notes that registrants are required to use the title conferred by the College when acting in a professional capacity. This helps members of the public identify a practitioner’s registration status and make informed choices about their health care. Protected titles indicate a regulated health professional has completed appropriate education and training and is accountable to a regulatory body for the quality of care they provide.
Depending on the situation, it might be acceptable not to display or use a regulated title. For example, the title would not be required in a job that only includes activities outside the scope of practice of psychotherapy, such as a teacher. In roles where there might be some overlap with psychotherapy, registrants are advised to use their judgement and think carefully about the implications of not using the title. Some considerations include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Does the role primarily or exclusively include activities outside of the controlled act of psychotherapy? (See Related Resources below.)
- Do members of the public and clients clearly understand the role and what services are being provided?
- If a member of the public were to file a complaint, how would the registrant demonstrate that the role and services provided did not involve psychotherapy?
- Do any discrepancies between workplace policies and the Professional Practice Standards (e.g., informed consent practices, confidentiality requirements, record-keeping and use of personal health information, etc.) present a risk to the public?