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Titles: RP, RP (Qualifying), credentials and "Doctor"
CRPO's Standard 1.2 on terms, titles and designations: the approved title for each class, how to write it with your credentials, specialty designations, the doctor title, students, and what the law protects.
Study aid, not legal advice.Last verified against the official sources linked below on .
The approved titles
| Class | English | French |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Psychotherapist | Registered Psychotherapist or RP | Psychothérapeute autorisé(e) or PA |
| Qualifying | Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) or RP (Qualifying); not "RP(Q)" | Psychothérapeute autorisé(e) (stagiaire) or PA (stagiaire) |
| Temporary | Registered Psychotherapist (Temporary) or RP (Temporary) | Psychothérapeute autorisé(e) (temporaire) or PA (temporaire) |
| Inactive | Registered Psychotherapist (Inactive) or RP (Inactive) | Psychothérapeute autorisé (inactif) or autorisée (inactive); PA (inactif) or PA (inactive) |
Writing it with your credentials (1.2.2)
- Place the regulated title immediately after your name and education credential, and it has prominence (CRPO's example: Sandra Smith, M.A., Registered Psychotherapist).
- Show only the highest credential earned that relates to the profession and meets established academic standards.
- Display it on promotional material, letterhead, cards, websites and in your office; use it when teaching.
- Correct clients or colleagues who use the wrong title, with reasonable efforts (1.2.4).
Specialties and practice descriptions
- Imply a specialty only if earned, from a recognized credentialing body, meeting established standards, your regulated title given prominence (1.2.3); CRPO confers no specialty designations.
- The test: would a panel of one's peers see it that way?
- Describing a field is fine if it implies no specialty: "practice in family and couples therapy" is acceptable.
The doctor title (1.2.5)
- RHPA s. 33 (1): no "doctor" in providing or offering health care in Ontario unless the regulations allow; not for RPs.
- Not with clients, even with a Ph.D.; it may be used socially or in a purely academic setting, with no clients present.
- You may display a Ph.D. in promotional material if it is your highest credential related to the profession.
Students and applicants
- Without a Certificate of Registration, no protected title; misuse may affect a later registration.
- CRPO suggests "student therapist" or "therapist in training" for practicums.
- They say they practise with clinical supervision and name their education program.
What the law protects
- Psychotherapy Act, 2007, s. 8 (1): "psychotherapist", "registered psychotherapist", "registered mental health therapist", variations and equivalents are for members only.
- Section 8 (2): only members may hold themself out as qualified to practise under them; s. 10 fines up to $25,000, then $50,000.
- CRPO has deferred use of "Registered Mental Health Therapist", still a restricted title.
- Misconduct: inappropriate terms, titles or specialty designations, or not using the title the College designates (O. Reg. 317/12, paras. 33, 34 and 36).
- If a non-registrant presents as an RP, intervene: speak with them, or tell CRPO if it persists; never help anyone pose as a registrant (1.2.6).
Your regulated title right after your name and credential, everywhere; no "Dr." with clients; specialties only if earned.