February 2026
Communiqué
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CRPO would like to hear from you about how we communicate with registrants, applicants, and other system partners. Along with direct email messages and website postings, the Communique is used as a timely reminder for updates, changes, and developments in the psychotherapy and regulatory landscape. Please take our survey here to share your thoughts.
| | 2026 COUNCIL MEETING UPDATE | | |
Council meetings are open to the public to observe via live stream. If you would like to observe an upcoming Council meeting, the 2026 meetings are scheduled:
- March 26, 2026
- June 11, 2026
- October 1, 2026
- December 3, 2026
To learn more about how to register, access agendas, package materials, and highlights, please visit our Council Elections and Meetings page here.
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THINKING ABOUT RUNNING FOR ELECTION? HERE’S WHY YOUR VOICE MATTERS AT CRPO | | |
On March 20, 2026, we will begin accepting nominations for election to CRPO Council for three available positions in Districts 2 (North), 3 (East), and 4 (Central East).
Serving on Council is a meaningful way to contribute to public protection, strengthen the profession, and bring your unique perspective to the regulatory table.
To learn more about the election process, please click here.
| | ANNUAL REGISTRATION RENEWAL OPEN! | | |
CRPO registrants are required to renew their registration annually by 5:00 p.m. ET on March 31, 2026. Beginning February 14th, registrants can go to the “Renewal” tab of their user accounts to complete the renewal form and pay their annual renewal fee.
For more information about the renewal process, transferring to the Inactive category, and deadlines and extensions, please see here.
| | | INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE (IPV) GUIDANCE AND CONSULTATION | | |
The College received a recommendation from the Office of the Chief Coroner of Ontario to provide educational resources to registrants focusing on IPV, and the importance of related risk assessments. CRPO has developed a draft guideline on recognizing and responding to clients experiencing IPV in response to the recommendation. Individuals are invited to provide feedback on the draft guideline until May 24, 2026.
The guideline and accompanying survey can be found here.
| | EXPANDING RP AUTHORITY SURVEYS | | |
The College is in discussions with the Government of Ontario regarding the current authority of RPs to sign off paperwork related to service provision.
CRPO is proposing an expansion on current limitations to provide better access for clients and to ensure continuity of care, including gender affirmation* genital surgery, capacity assessments, Ontario Disability Support Program forms, and OCF-18 forms. The survey also includes questions regarding current practices surrounding forms and fees.
*Please note that the Government of Ontario uses the term “gender confirmation.”
Registrants, currently or previously practicing applicants, and currently or previously practicing students are encouraged to fill out the survey to assist the College in building a case for expanded signing authority. Individuals who are not current registrants, applicants, or students are kindly asked not to participate, so we are able to capture an accurate picture of current and future members of the College.
Eligible parties are invited to complete the survey until May 24, 2026.
The survey can be found here.
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QUALITY ASSURANCE PROGRAM | Is your professional development on track? If you were first registered in an even year (i.e., 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022, 2024), you have a reporting deadline at the end of this year (December 31, 2026). This is a great time to review your self-assessment or complete a new one; plan learning activities; and ensure you will have completed at least 40 hours of relevant learning activities, including a review of training on the duty to report child abuse and neglect. See our website for information about CRPO’s Quality Assurance Program. | | PRACTICE ADVISORY SERVICE | | |
Business Relationships
Thinking of joining a new practice? It’s worth taking time to consider what will happen when the relationship ends. The Practice Advisory Service receives frequent inquiries from registrants navigating client care when changing practices. The College has a limited role in these situations, but we have guidance available:
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Testimonials and Client Reviews: If they can do it, why can’t I?
Registrants often contact the Practice Advisory Service when they see websites or social media accounts with advertising that doesn’t follow the rules.
Standard 6.2: Advertising states that using CRPO’s logo, or including testimonials, endorsements, or reviews, is prohibited in advertising. Clients may still post reviews on their own, but registrants must not ask for them or influence which reviews or endorsements appear.
Registered Psychotherapists are held to a high standard and must follow all advertising requirements. Unregulated professionals do not have the same obligations, and even if you see another registrant bending or breaking the rules, you should not follow their example.
Inviting clients to complete a Google review—whether in an email signature, a clinic sign, or a website—could be interpreted as using a testimonial in advertising, which is not allowed.
Does your advertising meet the requirements in Standard 6.2: Advertising? Use this checklist to find out: Advertising Checklist.
For more guidance, read our Practice Matters article Advertising: Testimonials, Endorsements, and Community Voting Awards.
| | 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. |
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