How therapy is regulated across Canada

Understanding Professional Titles in Canada

If you've searched for therapists in Canada, you've probably noticed a wide array of professional titles. The Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA) notes that the counselling profession includes more than 70 distinct professional titles.

What do these titles mean?

While there are many ways therapists describe their work, only a few of those titles are legally protected. For example, the titles psychiatrist, psychologist, and social worker are regulated by law at the provincial level. That means anyone using one of these titles must meet specific education and training standards and be registered with a provincial college or association.

Provincial variations in regulation

Titles like psychotherapist or counselling therapist are regulated in some provinces but not others. For example, Ontario, Quebec, and New Brunswick have legal frameworks that protect those titles, while other regions rely on voluntary credentialing through professional associations.

Because regulation happens at the provincial level, a therapist’s ability to practice across provinces depends on where they’re registered. In most cases, a therapist licensed in one province cannot automatically practice in another without meeting that province’s registration requirements. For instance, someone registered with the Ordre des psychologues du Québec cannot provide services to clients in Ontario unless they also meet the standards of Ontario’s College of Psychologists or College of Registered Psychotherapists.

That said, interprovincial practice is evolving. The Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association has been working toward mutual recognition frameworks that would make mobility easier for qualified professionals. Until those are in place, clients seeking therapy across provincial lines—especially online—should confirm that their therapist is licensed to practice in the province where the client resides.

Why this matters for clients

In most provinces, insurance reimbursement depends on the therapist’s professional designation. Many insurance providers only cover sessions with practitioners who hold a regulated title, such as psychologist, social worker, or psychotherapist, and are registered with the relevant provincial college.

If you work with someone in an unregulated province, or with a professional using a non-protected title like counsellor or coach, your sessions may not qualify for coverage even if the care is high quality.

Navigating Professional Titles Effectively

When you see professional titles beyond the regulated ones, take a moment to research their credentials. Professionals such as life-coaches or wellness advisors may offer valuable support, but unless they meet the regulated standards for psychology, social work, or psychotherapy/counselling therapy in your province, they are not licensed therapists in the regulated sense. Almost always, a professional order will include a tool to check if a professional is licensed to practice in the province. For example, here is the link to the tool provided by the Ordre des psychologues du Québec to check if a professional is licensed to practice in Quebec.

We know all these regulations can be confusing, so we've created an interactive map that lets you click your province or territory to view the specific regulations for counselling and psychotherapy in your region.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is “therapist” a protected title in Canada?
No. The term therapist on its own is not a legally protected title in Canada. It’s a general term that can describe a wide range of professionals, both regulated and unregulated. Only specific types of therapists, such as psychotherapists, counselling therapists, occupational therapists, or massage therapists, are protected under provincial law, and regulation varies by province. If someone simply calls themselves a “therapist,” you should verify whether they hold a regulated title and are registered with the appropriate professional college in your province.

Is psychotherapy regulated across all of Canada?
No. Regulation happens at the provincial and territorial level, which means only some regions—like Ontario, Quebec, and New Brunswick—currently regulate the title psychotherapist or counselling therapist. Other provinces rely on voluntary professional associations to oversee practice.

Can a therapist licensed in one province work with clients in another?
Not automatically. A therapist licensed in one province must usually meet the registration standards of the province where the client lives, even for online sessions. Always confirm that your therapist is authorized to practice in your province.

Does insurance cover therapy with all types of counsellors?
Coverage depends on the therapist’s designation. Most insurance plans reimburse sessions only with professionals who hold a regulated title—such as psychologist, social worker, or psychotherapist—and are registered with a provincial college.

What if I live in a province where counselling isn’t regulated?
You can still receive high-quality care. Look for therapists with nationally recognized credentials like the Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) designation from the CCPA. Just note that insurance coverage may vary.

Where can I verify if a therapist is registered or licensed?
Each province has its own public register. For example, you can search the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) or the Ordre des psychologues du Québec. Many regulatory bodies provide online lookup tools to confirm a therapist’s status.

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Appendix: Regulation Overview by Province

Below is a quick reference guide to how therapy and counselling are regulated across Canada. This section is for informational purposes only and may not reflect recent legislative changes.