FAQ
What are the differences between professionals who provide mental health services?
Psychologists and psychological associates are professionally trained individuals who are registered, regulated, and licensed by the College of Psychologists of Ontario (CPO) and practice psychology under the framework of the Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA). In the province of Ontario to be registered as a psychologist or psychological associate an individual must have a doctorate degree or master’s degree in psychology. In addition to this degree, he or she must pass professional examinations, complete either a one-year supervised internship (psychologist) or a five-year supervised internship (psychological associate), and agree to follow ethical codes and standards of practice. Psychologists/psychological associates are the only professionals qualified to use certain kinds of psychological tests to assess intelligence, emotional and behavioural concerns. Psychologists can also practice psychotherapy and provide therapeutic treatment/interventions for various mental health conditions.
Psychiatrists are medical professionals who obtain a degree in medicine and then take specialized training in psychiatry, which generally refers to the study, assessment, and treatment of emotional and behavioural concerns. Psychiatrists are the only professionals qualified to treat clients with pharmacotherapy (medication); psychiatrists may also practice psychotherapy. Psychiatrist’s fees are covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (O.H.I.P.). In Ontario, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario licenses psychiatrists.
Psychotherapists and Registered Social Workers have varied types of training and levels of experience. They are regulated in the province of Ontario by their respective colleges. Included in their practice is the therapeutic treatment of the mental health of individuals, couples and families through psychotherapy and other counseling approaches.
What is the difference between a Learning Disability and a Specific Learning Disorder?
A Learning Disability refers to an individual learning profile which is characterized by Average-range cognitive/intellectual abilities but unexpectedly lower achievement. In addition, this discrepancy can be explained by weakness in one or more ‘processing areas’ such as memory, phonological processing, visual motor integration or processing speed. This diagnosis is widely used in school boards in Ontario to guide support.
A Specific Learning Disorder is a diagnostic label for a similar profile and is found in the Diagnostic Statistical Manual, Fifth Edition (DSMV). The difference between the two is that a Specific Learning Disorder does not stipulate “Average” range cognitive abilities, but instead specifies that the learning challenges that the individual experiences must not be a result of an Intellectual Disability.
What is Dyslexia?
Dyslexia is a term that refers to a reading disability that can be related to challenges developing one or a number of skills related to successful reading, but is not related to a weakness in cognition or thinking skills. It may involve difficulty hearing the sounds units that make up a word, and being able to blend these together or pull them apart. It may be related to the ability to connect the visual representations of letters (symbols) to the sounds they make. It may be related to visual memory or retrieval of previously learned sound/symbol associations. Sometimes individuals are diagnosed by psychologists in Ontario with a Learning Disability that impacts reading and this can be an alternate way of indicating the same challenges that are identified as Dyslexia.
Other Resources
College of Psychologists of Ontario (CPO) https://cpo.on.ca/
Canadian Mental Health Association https://cmha.ca/
Ontario Association of Mental Health Professionals (OAMHP) https://oamhp.ca/