What is a psychotherapist and how can they help you?
What is a psychotherapist?
The psychotherapist is a health professional recognized by the Order of Psychologists of Quebec. It only provides psychotherapy treatments that can be addressed to a single person (individual psychotherapy) or to a group of people (group psychotherapy).
In Quebec, a license is necessary to practice psychotherapy (psychologist's license, doctor's license, or psychotherapist's license).
What is psychotherapy?
It aims to provoke changes in attitudes, behaviors, ways of thinking or reacting in a person, in order to allow them to feel better, find answers to their questions, resolve problems, make choices or understand themselves better.
“There are other interventions which are close to psychotherapy but which are not:: the accompaniment meeting, the support intervention, marital and family intervention, psychological education, rehabilitation, clinical monitoring, coaching and crisis intervention. »
Reference: Order of Psychologists of Quebec
The term “psychotherapist” is often a source of confusion. Who is he exactly? Is it the same as a psychologist? In Quebec, the title of psychotherapist is protected and regulated by the Order of Psychologists of Quebec (OPQ), which guarantees the competence and professionalism of the person who bears it. Understanding their role is the first step in knowing if they are the right professional for you.
A psychotherapist is a mental health expert trained to provide psychological treatment: psychotherapy. Its objective is to help you bring about lasting changes in your attitudes, your behaviors or your way of thinking to relieve suffering and improve your well-being.
The role of the psychotherapist: understanding how they can help you
When to consult a psychotherapist?
- You experience persistent emotional distress (anxiety, sadness, irritability).
- You are going through a period of crisis or difficult change (separation, bereavement, overload).
- You want to better understand your patterns, your reactions or your relational difficulties.
A psychotherapist can help you with a wide range of difficulties, whether you are a child, an adolescent, an adult or a couple. It provides a safe space to address issues such as anxiety disorders, depression, relationship difficulties, grief, burnout and more.
Choosing between a psychologist and another professional licensed as a psychotherapist often depends on your specific needs. The important thing is that the psychotherapy service offered is equivalent and rigorously supervised.
Psychotherapy: a treatment for the mind
Psychotherapy is much more than just a discussion. It is a collaborative treatment which aims to allow you to:
- Feel better and understand yourself better.
- Find answers to your questions.
- Solve personal or relationship problems.
- Learn to better manage your emotions and stress.
It is important not to confuse psychotherapy with other forms of support, such as coaching, crisis intervention or clinical monitoring, which have different objectives.
Who can practice psychotherapy in Quebec?
To guarantee public safety, the practice of psychotherapy is reserved. Only the following professionals can legally practice it:
- Psychologists — Their extensive university training in mental health includes the practice of psychotherapy.
- Physicians — They can also practice psychotherapy.
- Holders of a psychotherapist license — These are professionals (social workers, nurses, guidance counselors, etc.) who have completed additional university training and a supervised internship, and who have obtained a permit from the Order of Psychologists of Quebec.
| Professional role | Title | Main activities |
|---|---|---|
| Psychologist | Reserved title | Psychological assessment, diagnosis, psychotherapy, research, etc. |
| Psychotherapist | Reserved title (added to basic profession) | Psychotherapy. |
| Psychiatrist | Specialist doctor | Diagnosis of mental disorders, prescription of medications, psychotherapy. |
To learn more about the regulations surrounding psychotherapy, consult the Order of Psychologists of Quebec.
Finding the right psychotherapist
The title is one thing, but the therapeutic relationship is another. It is crucial to find a psychotherapist with whom you feel confident. At ReseauPsy, we simplify your search.
We ensure that all our professionals are members in good standing of their respective order. Our personalized welcome process allows us to direct you to the person whose expertise and approach best correspond to your situation.
The title of psychotherapist and the practice of psychotherapy are reserved. This means that any person who is neither a doctor nor a psychologist and who wants to practice psychotherapy and have the title of psychotherapist must hold a psychotherapist permit issued by the Order of Psychologists of Quebec.
The regulation on the psychotherapist permit provides for four criteria:
- Be a member of one of the following professional orders:
- Order of guidance counselors of Quebec
- Professional Order of Criminologists of Quebec
- Order of occupational therapists of Quebec
- Order of Nurses of Quebec
- Order of Psychoeducators of Quebec
- Professional order of sexologists of Quebec
- Order of social workers and marriage and family therapists of Quebec
- Hold a master's degree in the field of mental health and human relations.
- Have completed 765 hours of theoretical training in psychotherapy at university level.
- Have completed 600 hours of psychotherapy training.
Psychotherapists who are members of a professional order must follow their respective codes of ethics; it includes the obligations relating to the practice of psychotherapy. For example, a nurse psychotherapist is subject to the code of ethics for nurses.
Psychotherapists who are not members of a professional order are subject to part of the code of ethics for psychologists.
The psychotherapist takes care of all types of clients: children, adolescents, adults, elderly people and couples (in psychotherapy).
Frequently asked questions
You can consult a psychotherapist when you experience persistent emotional distress, relationship difficulties, an anxiety disorder or a loss of control in certain areas of your life. ReseauPsy professionals can direct you to the psychotherapist whose approach best suits your needs.
A psychologist has university training in psychology and can make diagnoses, while a psychotherapist is a professional trained specifically to offer psychotherapy, but who does not make diagnoses. Both can offer psychotherapy legally in Quebec.
The first meeting serves to better understand your difficulties, your objectives and your personal situation. The psychotherapist then establishes an intervention plan adapted to your needs and answers your questions in order to offer you a reassuring environment.