Communiqué

August 2024

Cross-Border Electronic Practice Webinar

On September 10, 12:30-1:30pm eastern time, CRPO will host a webinar sharing information on Cross-Border and Electronic Practice for RPs. Please RSVP if you would like to attend: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/9YBWMFQ.

We will post a recording of the webinar on the CRPO YouTube channel for those who are unable to join.

Town Halls – Hear What’s Going on with Your Regulator

CRPO has been hosting monthly virtual town hall meetings since April to engage with registrants on a variety of topics. If you missed any of the first three town halls, recordings are available via CRPO’s YouTube channel.

Join us for the next town hall on Monday, September 23 (12:00-1:00) where we will present on the topic of Quality Assurance: How is the Case-Based Assessment (CBA) Going?. If you have any questions related to this specific topic, you can submit them via SurveyMonkey: CRPO Town Hall #4: QA Case-Based Assessments (CBA) Survey (surveymonkey.com).

A link to join the town hall will be sent to registrants about one week prior to the session. For more information and access to the recordings, visit our website: CRPO Town Halls 2024 – College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario.

Registrant Feedback on Revised Standards

Last month CRPO sent out a survey about the new version of the Professional Practice Standards (effective January 1, 2024). Out of 29 registrants who responded, 26 reported looking through the updated Standards. While the sample is small, we are pleased it appears that registrants are aware of the new version. Respondents provided feedback on additional resources they would like to see, including:

Case studies, examples or articles expanding on the Standards
Alternative formats such as quizzes, audio or visual
Additional detail, for example around boundaries and dual relationships

We are considering the feedback received, and several initiatives are already underway! Keep an eye out for:

Facilitated peer circle discussion groups involving cases based on the Standards (invitations to be sent out within the next several months)
Our March 2024 webinar on the updated Standards, available on our YouTube channel
Additional planned webinars, including in September regarding Cross-Border Electronic Practice (see separate article in this month’s Communique)
Guidance currently under development, e.g., regarding psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy (PAP) and medical assistance in dying (MAID).

Protect Yourself while Communicating with CRPO

Take steps to protect yourself. Apply online safety practices in your communications with CRPO:

Take the time to read and reflect on a message before reacting
Look for scam warning signs: Poor spelling and grammar, urgent requests, offers of rewards, links that differ slightly from the real website or email address (you can hover your mouse to read the link address without clicking)
Do not assume third parties are endorsed by or can speak for CRPO
While CRPO does communicate using regular email to exchange general information or to provide administrative support, be cautious in responding to requests for sensitive information
Keep your applicant/registrant user account log-in information secure and use your account to update your information with CRPO
CRPO uses a secure file sharing platform to send or request sensitive information
Do not click suspicious links or open unsolicited file attachments
Never send credit card information via email
If in doubt, contact CRPO via another method, e.g., the phone numbers listed on CRPO's website, to verify the legitimacy of communications

For related information, review our Practice Matters article on College Communications.

Quality Assurance Program: Are Your Professional Development (PD) Requirements Due?

If you registered with CRPO in an even year (i.e., 2016, 2018, 2020 or 2022), your PD reporting cycle ends on December 31, 2024. This means you will need to submit an attestation form in your CRPO account declaring whether you completed the required PD activities during your reporting cycle.

The attestation will be available for eligible registrants on November 1, 2024 and is due December 31, 2024. We recognize December is a busy time of year for many registrants. If you are planning down time at the end of the year, please complete the attestation beforehand.

Here are the PD activities that all registrants must complete during every two-year reporting cycle:

Submit at least one self-assessment through your CRPO account during the reporting cycle.
Complete at least 40 hours of relevant learning activities. Maintain a learning record and supporting documentation in a professional portfolio. We encourage you to use one of our PD templates to track your learning activities. Note: You will need to download the template and save a copy in your own records. The template is not saved by CRPO and it is not connected to your CRPO account.
Submit an attestation form before your due date. (We will notify you when the attestation form is available).

*NEW* Beginning with the 2023 PD cycle, the attestation form includes a new question that asks registrants to confirm they have reviewed training (e.g., self-directed reading or an appropriate training course/webinar identified by the registrant) on the duty to report child abuse and neglect. [For information, see “Duty to Report Training Review” on our website.]

Registrants should retain documentation (e.g., certificates of participation) that can verify their participation in learning activities in their own professional portfolio. Registrants are only required to submit documentation when requested by the College.

Are you planning on going inactive or retiring this year?

If you receive notification that you are required to complete an attestation form, you must complete the form before December 31, even if you plan on going inactive or retiring.

Registrants in the Inactive category are expected to engage in professional development and maintain up-to-date records in the event that they return to active practice. As part of the return to active practice process, you may be asked to demonstrate that you are up-to-date with your professional development requirements. You may find it helpful to review the Quality Assurance Program Policies.

Need more info? Check out the QA page and our Professional Development FAQ or email your questions to QA@crpo.ca.

Practice Matters: Incomplete Records – Who is Responsible?

Can a former employer/clinic require a former employee/contractor to complete client records after they resign/were dismissed/went on leave?

Record-keeping is an important part of providing safe and effective care to Ontarians. Indeed, failing to keep written records in accordance with the standards of the profession is considered professional misconduct. Ideally, registrants ensure their clinical records are accessible, legible, and updated in a timely manner.

A frequent question that arises in the Practice Advisory is what to do when faced with incomplete records. This might happen, for example, when a Registered Psychotherapist takes an unexpected leave of absence or if they resign or are dismissed on short notice.

Who is responsible for completing records in these situations? Can a former employer/clinic require a former employee/contractor to complete client records after they resign/were dismissed/went on leave?

Read our Practice Matters article for guidance.

Open Consultations

There is still time to provide feedback on CRPO’s draft revised by-laws and clinical supervision course guideline. Visit our Public Consultations page and complete the surveys by September 23, 2024.

For CRPO registrants: Please do not unsubscribe. CRPO uses email to communicate with registrants about important College updates. If you choose to unsubscribe, it is then your responsibility to regularly check our website to keep yourself informed about your College obligations. It is the responsibility of each registrant to make sure CRPO has your current contact information, updated within 30 days of a change, and ensure that the organization you work for does not block CRPO emails. CRPO may collect information about whether a recipient has read a message. CRPO may use this information for communication planning and record-keeping.