Communiqué

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November 2021

version française

Clinical Experience Recognition  Psychotherapy education programs academically recognized by CRPO can now apply separately for recognition of the clinical experience (CE) students receive in the program. If CE recognition is granted, students from the program would no longer need to submit individual confirmation forms to report practicum, clinic or student practice hours. Students would simply request that the program report their total number of direct client contact and clinical supervision hours to CRPO.   Benefits of CE recognition: Students will know their practicum hours will be accepted toward CRPO’s registration requirements Supervisors won’t have to fill out detailed confirmation forms for each student Shorter processing times for updating hours   Students from non-recognized programs, and registrants updating CE hours after graduation, will still need to submit detailed confirmation forms.   Programs granted CE recognition will be listed on the CRPO website and announced in future Communiqués.

Promotions, package deals, and discounts We receive many questions asking if promotional rates and discounts are allowed to encourage access to therapy, especially during the pandemic. RPs are expected to be transparent and reasonable in their billing practices and avoid conflicts of interest. This includes ensuring that clients understand what is included in the fees they are paying, documenting any discussions about fees, and indicating the reasons why a fee may have been reduced or waived. (See Standard 6.1 Fees and Standard 5.5 Record-keeping – Financial Records.)  Promotional rates RPs are permitted to offer a promotional rate to clients; however, it is important to avoid potential risks. These risks may include an offer that promotes unnecessary treatment, unduly influences a client’s decision to receive treatment, or acts as a barrier once the promotional rate ends. It is not permitted to offer a discount for prompt payment, e.g., an ‘early bird’ rate. Offering gifts (other than of nominal value) or partnered promotions to begin therapy could create the perception of a conflict of interest, and should be avoided. While different from promotional rates, it is worth noting that registrants may accept payment on a sliding scale, i.e., a variable fee depending on ability to pay. Such an arrangement must be considered on a case-by-case basis and documented in the record. Block fees and package deals Offering a set number of sessions for an agreed upon fee is a block fee arrangement. Standard 6.1 allows block fees for psychotherapy services as long as the following aspects of the agreement are established in writing beforehand: • services covered by the fee; • amount of the fee; • arrangements for paying the fee; and • the rights and obligations of the registrant and the client if the relationship between them is terminated before all the services are provided. The last point is a safeguard that protects clients from attending unnecessary treatment because they have already paid or paying for services when they are no longer attending treatment. To accomplish this, the agreement may hold that a portion of the block fee is refunded to the client if the relationship ends before all the services are provided. Clear policies on these matters will help avoid complaints. Resources for more information: Practice Standard 6.1, Fees: https://www.crpo.ca/standard-6-1-fees/; Standard 1.6, Conflict of Interest: https://www.crpo.ca/standard-1-6/; and Section F, Billing of the Professional Practice & Jurisprudence For Registered Psychotherapists

Program Recognition Renewals Education programs recognized by CRPO must apply to renew their recognition every five years. The Registration Committee recently renewed CRPO recognition of four programs: Ontario Psychotherapy and Counseling Program, Diploma in Psychotherapy with focus on Psychodynamic Therapy Toronto Institute of Psychoanalysis, Certificate of Graduation as Psychoanalyst Tyndale University College and Seminary, Master of Divinity – Counselling Major – Clinical Stream Western University, Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology

Accepted Language Assessments Applicants can now submit TEF Canada and TCF Canada results as proof of fluency in French. Please see the updated Language Proficiency Policy

CRPO Annual Report 2020-21 CRPO’s 2020–2021 Annual Report is now available. The report reviews highlights from the past year, including ongoing work to review and modernize governance practices.

Council Meeting The next regular meeting of CRPO Council will take place on December 2, 2021. Council meetings will take place via videoconference and will be live streamed for observers until further notice.    Date: December 2, 2021 Time: 9:30 am to 12:00 pm Location: Click here to watch the Live-stream

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