In this short article, we invite you to demystify what psychotherapy is. If you’re confused about this concept, you’re not alone: it can be difficult to navigate when you don’t work in the mental health field.
A simple definition of psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a type of mental health treatment. It aims to modify in a lasting and significant way the cognitions (thoughts, beliefs), behaviors (actions, reactions) and emotional functioning of the patient.
Psychotherapy therefore goes beyond monitoring aimed at obtaining management tools for common daily issues, psychosocial support or emotional accompaniment; it seeks to profoundly transform the person’s cognitive, emotional and behavioral patterns, so as to have a lasting impact on their psychological health.
In addition, psychotherapy is a reserved professional act. In Quebec, it is since the adoption of Bill 21 that his practice (as well as the title of psychotherapist) has been legally protected. In other words, practicing psychotherapy without having legal permission is punishable by severe penalties. Just as giving a patient the wrong medication can have negative consequences on their physical health, doing psychotherapy poorly can significantly harm a person’s mental health.
Who can practice psychotherapy?
Psychotherapy can be practiced by three types of health professionals: psychologists, doctors (such as psychiatrists or general practitioners) and psychotherapy license holders.
Psychotherapy permit holders are workers in the field of psychosocial health who have completed training recognized by the Order of Psychologists of Quebec to obtain the title of psychotherapist. To qualify for this training in psychotherapy, you must first have a master’s degree in a field of mental health or human relations and be a member of the professional order corresponding to this master’s degree. Areas of practice that psychotherapists may come from include:
- Social work;
- Psychoeducation;
- Criminology;
- Occupational therapy;
- Career guidance (or “counselling”);
- Marital and family therapy;
- Sexology;
- Nursing care.
A professional who is part of one of these professional orders and has a master’s degree in his field can therefore decide to undertake training to obtain the right to practice psychotherapy.
What does training to be a psychotherapist look like?
The training includes a theoretical and practical component, so that the person is fully qualified to practice psychotherapy following its completion. First, you must complete 765 hours of theoretical training in psychotherapy at university level. Then, you must also complete at least 600 hours of psychotherapy training under the supervision of a qualified professional. In short, this is quite exhaustive training!
I want to consult mental health. Do I need to consult a professional with a psychotherapy license?
It depends! If you wish to consult mental health because you are looking for practical advice for everyday life, tools for managing emotions or stress, psychosocial support during a difficult period of life or a caring attentive ear, it is not necessary to turn to a therapist who can practice psychotherapy. A therapist who is part of a professional order recognized in Quebec (such as a social worker or a psychoeducator) is qualified to respond to this type of request.
However, if you suffer from a mental health problem that requires in-depth work to modify your behaviors and cognitions, turn to a psychologist or psychotherapist.
In any case, regardless of your type of request, always take the time to find out about the qualifications of the people who offer you their mental health services! It is important to ensure that your speaker is a person who is part of a professional order recognized in Quebec
etc. Professional orders serve to protect patients by ensuring that the professionals who belong to them respect high standards in their practice. This is why at ReseauPsy, all the therapists within our team are part of their respective professional order.
For more information, do not hesitate to contact us or fill out our consultation request form. We will be happy to direct you to the therapist best suited to your needs!
Sources
Order of Psychologists of Quebec. (n / A.). What is psychotherapy? https://www.ordrepsy.qc.ca/la-psychotherapie
Order of Psychologists of Quebec. (n / A.). Who practices psychotherapy? https://www.ordrepsy.qc.ca/qui-pratique-psychotherapie
Order of Psychologists of Quebec. (n / A.). Summary of the four requirements. https://www.ordrepsy.qc.ca/resume-quatre-exiges-psychotherapeute