News               

L to r: Shanique Victoria Edwards B.Sc., M.Div.(c), Dr. Oren Gozlan, Dr. Chase Everett McMurren

Have you ever wondered how equipped you are to work with clients from a multiplicity of backgrounds, histories and lived experiences? So have we.

That’s why the OSRP Protect Subcommittee brought together three expert panellists with unexpected and unorthodox approaches, who so delighted us when we heard them speak individually elsewhere, to join each other and us for this Roundtable discussion. This inclusive space will allow for true conversation in a spirit of mutual respect in a desire to better understand.

Just in time for Pride Month and National Indigenous History Month!

And we heard you, so the Subcommittee is allowing much more time for members’ questions, discussion and sharing at this second PS: Protect Seminar with our eminent guests.

Here’s a link to a webcast interview (transcript included) with one of our esteemed speakers, just to give you a sense of how creatively they can approach this topic: CPSO invu Dr. Chase Everett McMurren 

AN INTRODUCTION TO CULTURAL COMPETENCY: WHAT IS IT? 

The CRPO has clearly mandated all Registrants to continue developing Cultural Competencies. This roundtable event discusses what this actually means in practice. 

Date: Thursday, June 15, 2023
Time: 11:00 AM-1:00 PM ET
Location: Central YMCA, 20 Grosvenor St, Toronto (Grosvenor Room) and online via Zoom 

Shanique Victoria Edwards, B.Sc., M.Div.(c), a member of Black Mental Health Canada’s Circle of Leaders and Founder and CEO of the Eden Legacy Foundation, works as knowledge translation coordinator for the Cundill Centre for Child and Youth Depression at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH).

Dr. Oren Gozlan, Psy.D., ABPP, FIPA, is a clinical psychologist and a psychoanalyst in Toronto. He is Chair of the scientific committee at the Toronto Institute for Psychoanalysis and a member of the Committee for Gender and Sexuality of the IPA. He is faculty at the University of Toronto (Applied Psychology and Human Development).

Dr. Chase McMurren (Spirit name: Water Song Medicine Keeper)is Michif/Metis(Turtle Clan) from Lethbridge, AB, located on traditional Siksikaitsitapi, Blackfoot Confederacy Territory and covered by Treaty 7. He currently lives and works in Tkarón:to |GichiKiiwenging and serves as the Indigenous Health Theme Lead in the MD Program and the Indigenous Practitioner Liaison within the Office of Indigenous Health in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto.

IS IT TOO LATE TO GET INTO A PS: SEMINAR???

No!

You still have a chance to buy a PS: Protect Seminars Flex Pass for $75 + HST. 

This member-only benefit gives you access to the April 6 video, PowerPoint and other valuable materials from this event, allows you to attend the June 15 event at 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., or get the video and material afterwards…and the next three seminars!

The OSRP Board wants all members to have access to this incredible “Risk Mitigation” session. It’s a must-watch for your practice. 

And we know the “Cultural Competency” June 15 roundtable will be memorable, fascinating, and eye-opening. 

So a $2,000+ legal consult + CBA Prep Session + A Cultural Competency Supervision Session – all for the cost of:

$20 per session, or 

$75 for all five seminars – whether you attend in person, online, or simply receive all materials sent to your inbox. 

“It’s the deal of the century,” as one satisfied member told us.

***Flex Pass – availability extended to JUNE 1***

Click HERE for more information & to register. 

THANK YOU to the 131 registered members, including 2 BIPoC bursary recipients  - your support makes it possible to continue offering these programs.

Protect yourself with five seminars offered throughout 2023. Starting with CRPO QA, take a dive deep into culture, sexuality, our cyber world, and then land with you. Yes, you. 

Can’t wait to see you, virtually or in person. 

Registration is open! Flex Pass available till June 1, 2023. 

Also - did you know that the OSRP has launched the second edition of its BIPOC Bursary Program?

See our HOME PAGE for details on how you can donate to help a fellow OSRP member, or someone who wants to join!

Or simply CLICK HERE TO DONATE

To attend/receive materials for all five PS: protect yourself Protect Seminars, if you would appreciate financial support and identify as BIPOC, please email edi@psychotherapyontario.org

Have you considered becoming more involved in OSRP leadership around Advocacy, Professional Development, and more?

Are you Board-Curious?

Or Committee-Intrigued?

Don’t hesitate to get in touch with your friendly neighbourhood Nomination Committee at nomination@psychotherapyontario.org and we can help pair your talents and enthusiasm to work that needs to be done to advance our profession and our Society.

OSRP's EDI Committee of OSRP is excited to announce the Launch of their Race-Based Data Collection Initiative, already part of PS Seminars registration, and now integrated into June 2023 Membership Renewal.

This is an invitation to participate in a Panel Discussion about the importance of Race-Based Data Collection in Ontario.

Date: Wednesday, May 31, 2023
Time: 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Venue: Virtual/Zoom
To register: https://osrp.ca/event-5279392

Feel free to bring your own lunch and enjoy it during the session.

This Lunch & Learn is open to all OSRP members and the community. Please feel free to invite your peers, colleagues, and community to join in this exceptional learning and unlearning event.

Confirmed panelists: 

1. Michael Bowe (Senior Equity and Inclusion Leader)
2. Kafui Sawyer, RP (Canadian Psychological Association)
3. Shequita Thompson-Reid (STR Consultancy)
4. Dr, Maria Wallis, PhD, Sociology (CASW, OSRP Member)

This is an opportunity for you to learn more about OSRP's new initiative designed to reduce barriers like systemic inequities resulting from anti-Black racism and other systems of oppression, that perpetuate the lack of equitable representation in Psychotherapy in Ontario.

Click here to register.

Have you considered becoming more involved in OSRP leadership around Advocacy, Professional Development, and more?

Are you Board-Curious?
Or Committee-Intrigued?

Don’t hesitate to get in touch with your friendly neighbourhood Nomination Committee at nomination@psychotherapyontario.org and we can help pair your talents and enthusiasm to work that needs to be done to advance our profession and our Society. 

MP Stephen Ellis’s Private Member’s Bill C-323, An Act to amend the Excise Tax Act (mental health services), received its second reading on April 25.

Read the transcript of the complete debate, with PC and NDP members pushing the government on all fronts to change this unfair tax for good:

• BILL C-323 2nd reading April 25 - transcript
• Transcript of the whole day's session on HOC website: House Sitting April 25 – Bill C-323 starts at 1730
• Video of Intro and debate re: the GST/HST Bill: HoC Sitting April 25 video 
• VIdeo of just MP Ellis' opening remarks introducing the Bill

Here are some key quotes from MPs:

"...what can we do to help support all Canadians? We can modify the Excise Tax Act and eliminate the taxes on psychotherapy services and mental health counsellors. Even though we may say this is not a huge issue, we have an opportunity to do something. The government needs to look at opportunities so we can stop talking, make a difference and do something to help the health of Canadians." - MP Stephen Ellis, introducing the Second Reading of his Bill

MP Ellis's answer to the first question, from the Speaker of the House:
"We can find proper titles for professions such as psychotherapist and mental health counsellor. I think that it is possible, then, to group together all professions offering the same services even if they have different names. I think that this is a way to find the process that will be best for all Canadians."

Next question (similar) got the following response from Ellis:
"I do not think the nomenclature needs to allow us to not be able to move forward and cause us to have paralysis on this. We need to move forward for the betterment of all Canadians."

"The Bloc Québécois is really pleased to support Bill C‑323 to make a real difference in the lives of those who need help and to offer them a GST exemption." - MP Mrs. Claude DeBellefeuille (Salaberry--Suroit, BQ)

"I want to talk a bit about our party's history on this. A 2017 NDP-sponsored bill would have removed GST from psychotherapy services. Bill C-218, sponsored by my colleague from London—Fanshawe, would also have removed GST from psychotherapy services. It is currently out of the order of precedence, so, again, we commend our colleague for moving this forward. The same colleague from London—Fanshawe presented a petition to the House of Commons to remove GST from counselling therapy and psychotherapy services. That petition received over 14,000 signatures. When the Conservatives' order of precedence comes forward, we do like it when they take NDP bills. This is something we are just starting to get used to." - MP Gord Johns (Courtenay-Alberni, NDP Health Critic, who seconded MP Lindsay Mathyssen's Bill first read Dec 2021 in the House. 

Advocacy Update

Unfortunately, last week all 14, 244 House of Commons petition.signatories received a disappointing message from the Finance Minister.

This message is not new and has been received by her constituents and other letter-writers for years. This does NOT mean that our cause is hopeless.

• Many meetings are happening with important decision-makers who can affect the status quo, empowered by the support for GST/HST exemption.
• The National Coalition is working on a response to the response.
• There will also be a second reading of MP Ellis’ bill (SEE ABOVE).
• The response doesn’t kill MP Mathyssen’s bill from future readings.
• We will update you further when we have more outcomes to share.

Your letters to MPs are making a difference.

As reported HERE in the March 28th Central, and ongoing since then, several MPs and their staff have advised that their offices have been flooded with GST/HST exemption letters.

The newly-merged Advocacy Committee + HST Task Force met April 14, and brought renewed energy to meeting with politicians and decision-makers, now that we are all fully briefed on this important issue.

WHAT CAN I DO?

• Write to your MP AGAIN, cc-ing the Minister of Finance chrystia.freeland@parl.gc.ca. Call on government to take action now that three parties, including the Finance Committee, have advocated for GST/HST exemption for all mental health professionals
• Consider asking for a meeting with your MP.  A member of the Advocacy Committee can join you. If your MP is interested in meeting, let us know at advocacy@psychotherapyontario.org
• Ask your colleagues and friends to write to their MPs
• Consider writing a letter to the editor of your local paper, as this person did
• Join the Advocacy Committee - click HERE.
• Read our updates - visit our webpage ADVOCACY CORNER.

WHAT IS OSRP DOING? Click here to read more:

• Stepping up our work with partners (CCPA, PRPA, Impact etc.) on behalf of our members, to amplify our voices
• Continue to call on the Federal Government to take action now that three parties have expressed support
• Setting up more meetings with decision-makers
• Stay tuned for a survey drafted by OSRP for all PRPA and CCPA members to learn more about rates for psychotherapy/counselling therapy in Canada, and how our rate-setting is affected by GST/HST

Important actions and meetings are arising from your activism, and we will keep you informed of all new developments.

Click here to read the Finance Committee's recommendation, echoing bills from two opposition parties, and our press release!

The CRPO has posted five new practice CBA questions here, in addition to the five previously available: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Y527JZ9

They have also highlighted key resources for CBA prep, or simply to avoid complaints.

These resources have been shared with the OSRP. 

The “Informed Consent Workbook” is a useful guide to everyday practice.

So is the Core Competencies document.

The OSRP will highlight more key study documents for members going forward.

The reviews are in – our April 6 debut hybrid event was a hit!

Left: Lisa E. Hamilton, Partner, Bell Temple LLP, Litigation Lawyers

Centre: Rachel Fulford, Event Producer, Co-Moderator

Right: Alethia Cadore, Executive Producer, Host, Co-Moderator

“The first session in the Protect series on Risk Mitigation was exactly what I needed to learn about minimising risk in my psychotherapy practice. Thank you for the key learnings and the reminder to care for self. The CBA case questions review was also highly informative and lessened my anxiety about this process.Thank you for creating this series!” - Roberta Currie, RP, Clinical Member, Collingwood

“What I found most helpful about the Risk Mitigation webinar was gaining a fuller understanding of the rationale behind the CRPO’s Case-Based Assessment, as well as how the CRPO will be responding to and supporting various scores. I now see the assessment as an opportunity to evaluate and sharpen my understanding of the CRPO's Professional Practice Standards.” - Dana K, RP, Clinical Member, Toronto

Surveys are unanimous – the seminar was relevant, the speakers were knowledgeable, and the seminar’s delivery made the material accessible to all participants.

SO HOW CAN I GET IN ON ALL THIS???

GOOD NEWS – it's not too late to purchase a PS: Protect Seminars Flex Pass which will give you access to the April 6 video, PowerPoint and other valuable materials from this event…and the next four seminars!

The OSRP Board wants all members to have access to this incredible “Risk Mitigation” session. It’s a must-watch for your practice.

It’s like a $2,000+ legal consult + CBA Prep Session – all for the cost of:

$20 for the individual session, or

$75 for all five seminars – whether you attend in person, online, or simply receive all materials sent to your inbox.

“It’s the deal of the century,” as one satisfied member told us.

***Flex Pass – availability extended to JUNE 1***

Click HERE for more information & to register.

THANK YOU to the 118 registered members - your support makes it possible to continue offering these programs.

Protect yourself with five seminars offered throughout 2023. Starting with CRPO QA, take a dive deep into culture, sexuality, our cyber world, and then land with you. Yes, you. 

Can’t wait to see you, virtually or in person.

Registration is open! Flex Pass available till June 1, 2023.

Also - did you know that the OSRP has launched the second edition of its BIPOC Bursary Program?

See our HOME PAGE for details on how you can donate to help a fellow OSRP member, or someone who wants to join!

Or simply CLICK HERE TO DONATE

To attend/receive materials for all five PS: protect yourself Protect Seminars, if you would appreciate financial support and identify as BIPOC, please email edi@psychotherapyontario.org

OSRP proudly welcomes 1,309 people among its members: 548 Clinical Members, 310 Qualifying Members, 418 Student Members, 16 Retired Members, 7 Friends of the Society and 10 Honorary Members. Thank you to each and every one of you for your continued support.

At this time last year, we counted 1,057 members: 485 Clinical, 234 Qualifying, 308 Student, 16 Retired, 6 Friends of the Society and 8 Honorary members.

OSRP is keeping pace with the growth of CRPO Registrants – 11,000+ by last count.

(Did you know there are more than double the number of RPs compared to Psychologists registered in Ontario?)

What a tremendous story of greater presence as more and more RPs, RP(Q)s, Students and Retired Members are moved to call the OSRP their professional home, and enjoy all the benefits of membership.

We appreciate the opportunity to grow with our valued members into a space of leadership among Ontario’s mental health professionals.

We look forward to inviting more of you to join – and providing more benefits, and more professional development opportunities (TBA!) to those who choose to renew in June.

The CRPO is asking all Registrants – and members of the public – to have their voices heard re: proposed amendments to the Clinical Supervisor definition.

Feedback received through this survey will be considered by Council.

The deadline to submit feedback is April 30, 2023.

The draft revised definition is available here.

Did you know:

• you can invite a colleague to join OSRP at any point in their career
• if this is their first time with OSRP, you will receive $50 off your membership renewal in July, and:
• they will get $50 off their first year?

This is a great opportunity to invite folks who might appreciate the low member-only pricing on PS: protect yourself: PROTECT SEMINARS, and exclusive access to after-seminar-materials including video – a member-only benefit.

April 1 is a terrific start date for a new member, with a minimal financial commitment up front.

Other members-only benefits are listed in this handy INVITE TEMPLATE, which you can address to your colleague as a special gift from you.

Please find a list of membership benefits – including health insurance, discounts on many products and services, access to the ListServ, and so much more – HERE.

Thank you for welcoming new members, and making OSRP the professional home for over 1,200 Ontarians…and rising!