About the OAMHP

The Ontario Association of Mental Health Professionals (OAMHP) is Ontario’s largest association of mental health professionals. Formed in 1978 as the Ontario Association of Counsellors, Consultants, Psychometrists & Psychotherapists, the name was changed in September 2019 to better represent our diverse membership and the collaborative roles they play in the continuum of mental healthcare.

Our 3,000+ members embody the spectrum of mental healthcare providers at work in family health teams, hospitals, school boards, workplaces, community centres and private clinics – just about everywhere you find mental health services in your community. As their preferred professional association, the OAMHP delivers high-quality professional development events, essential insurance requirements, practical benefits and personal business solutions.

Mandate

The OAMHP is an incorporated provincial body of mental health service providers with a mandate to provide for the professional needs of our members, and to meet the needs of the community in identifying and certifying competent practitioners providing services in mental health consulting, counselling, psychometry, and psychotherapy.

OAMHP Certification recognizes knowledge, skills and aptitude of mental health professionals, emphasizing competence and expertise in their provision of services.

Mission

The OAMHP works tirelessly to provide our members with engaging and effective professional development opportunities; while monitoring and proactively responding to issues within the mental health profession that are important to our membership. 

Mental Health Practitioner Designations

As a service to the community, the OAMHP is providing the information below to help outline the differences between counsellors, consultants, psychotherapists and psychometrists.

A professional whose practice involves the primary function of informing, advising, guiding, educating, and coaching. The practice of counselling includes, but is not limited to, clinical, and mental health counselling. Incorporated in its mandate is guidance and education to individuals, families and/or groups.

Any person who provides consulting services in the form of education and information to individual professionals, groups or organizations in the public or private sector.

Psychotherapists work with individuals, couples, families and groups to help them overcome a range of psychological and emotional issues. Psychotherapists use personal treatment plans and a variety of non-medical-based treatments to help them solve specific problems; or to treat mood disorders such as depression, OCD and anxiety.

Using talk therapy, they provide insight and use psychotherapeutic interventions to change distressing patterns of cognitions or behaviours that contribute to mood, anxiety or other problems. Some examples of the different approaches psychotherapists use are behavioural therapy, cognitive-behavioural therapy, and gestalt therapy. They commonly work in rehabilitation centres, multidisciplinary health clinics, psychological offices and in private practice. Although Psychotherapists may treat people with clinical diagnoses (e.g., Major Depression, OCD, General Anxiety Disorder) with psychotherapy (talk therapy), they are not licensed to provide a diagnosis or prescribe medication.

In Ontario, only members of the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) have the authority to identify themselves as Registered Psychotherapists (RPs).

Psychologists and Psychological Associates are trained in the assessment, treatment, and prevention of behavioural and mental conditions. They diagnose neuropsychological disorders and dysfunctions as well as psychotic, neurotic and personality disorders and dysfunctions. In addition, Psychologists and Psychological Associates use a variety of approaches directed toward the maintenance and enhancement of physical, intellectual, emotional, social and interpersonal functioning.

A Psychologist or Psychological Associate may work with a variety of individual client populations such as children, adolescents, adults or seniors, or may focus their attention on families, couples, or organizations. They work in a range of settings including schools, hospitals, industry, social service agencies, rehabilitation facilities, and correctional facilities. Many Psychologists and Psychological Associates have their own private practice.

Only members of the College of Psychologists of Ontario may use the title ‘Psychologist’ or ‘Psychological Associate’; use the terms ‘psychology’ or ‘psychological’ in any description of services offered or provided, or hold themselves out to be a Psychologist or Psychological Associate. 

Psychometrists are part of research or healthcare teams that specialize in administering, scoring, analyzing and interpreting psychological tests. In Ontario, Psychometrists are not legally allowed to communicate diagnoses, so they must work under the supervision of a Registered Psychologist or Psychological Associate, who are licensed to do so.

Tasks include explaining testing procedures to clients, answering questions, administering tests, scoring tests, analyzing data, interpreting results, writing reports and communicating results to other mental health care professionals. A psychometrist must also stay up to date with new developments in the field, as tests and procedures are created, updated and/or improved.

From individuals and families to organizations and communities, social workers collaborate with their clients to address challenges through a process of assessment, diagnosis, treatment and evaluation.

Registered social workers have a specialized university education and must participate in continued professional learning and skills development to fulfil the requirements of their professional regulatory body.

In Ontario, in order to use the title Social Worker or Registered Social Worker or their French equivalents, or to hold out expressly or by implication that you are a social worker, you must be registered with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers.

Message from the OAMHP President: Liana Palmerio-McIvor

Liana’s Message:

Hello there. I wanted to take the time to introduce myself to you as your new President for the next two years. My name is Liana Palmerio-McIver, and I'm a Registered Psychotherapist. I am proud and a little nervous to step into this leadership role, but also excited to see what can be done with the collaboration and partnership of this amazing Board, your Association, and Maryann Istiloglu, Executive Director. I've been a member since 1994 and right out of the gate of my therapy journey, I've been an involved member in various capacities over the last 28 years.

At the beginning of my career, I went through the newly formed certification process run by Dr. Mickey Ellis in the nineties, and learned a lot about the mechanics of certification, as well as how to take my responsibility and confidence as a therapist to the next level within my association and my practice.

I appreciate not only the certification process itself, but the value it has for its members, and thus was happy to aid John Marai with the certification committee in the nineties and early two thousands as an active member. In the last, almost 10 years, I have participated on the board in many capacities: chair of certification, chair of public policy, ethics and conduct committee member, treasurer, vice president, president elect, and now as your incoming president. My contributions and my involvement have primarily been in the role of evolving new certification and validated supervision standards with my colleagues on the Board and administration, touching base with members and connecting with them as often as possible and advocating for the mental health profession in various ways.

I have big boots to fill following Jane Alway and I look forward to her guidance and friendship as I move forward into this new role. She has done an amazing job leading us through this pandemic over the last two years. I would also like to thank everyone on the Board this past two years, for all their hard work during a difficult time. It was so important.

I would also like to thank those Board members, new and continuing, for joining the various committees for the coming year and for stepping forward to take leadership roles. We, as always, have a lot of work ahead of us. My goal this upcoming year is to connect more with mental health professionals, to build a stronger association, to advocate for the use of all qualified mental health professionals in all professions, and to eliminate HST to level the playing field for the hiring RPs, as well as reduce barriers to access for people needing private mental health care.

As I navigate this role, I would also like our association to be a leader in guiding and informing mental health policy. We are many; social workers, counselors, mental health consultants, registered psychotherapists, psych associates, MA psychologists, psychologists, psychometrists, OTs, and others that add to the spectrum of care under the umbrella of our association. Together we have a big voice. So please reach out, get involved, come to our workshops and conferences, get yourself refreshed, recharged, and ready to meet head on the wave of mental health requirements that we are already servicing and will continue to serve. This is not an easy profession, but a rewarding one.

You are not alone, and we are here for you. I'm very much looking forward to fruitful conversations, sharing of ideas, and a steep learning curve in understanding the breadth and scope of what our members do to contribute to serving their clients and our communities. Thank you.

President's Message at the 2023 AGM

Board of Directors

Liana Palmerio-McIvor is a registered psychotherapist who has been in practice for more than 25 years.

Over more than five years, Liana has served in many key roles on the board of the OAMHP (and its predecessor organization, OACCPP), including chair of certification, treasurer and chair of public policy. As chair of certification, she implemented new policies and procedures to certify more association members, especially during the critical time in which the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario was established (and began its registration efforts). More recently, she is working to raise the profile of the supervisor role by developing a formal validation process for supervisors, a first in the province. As chair of public policy, Liana has advocated for members, obtained wider private insurance coverage, responded to government policy initiatives as well as participated in government consultations with the sector.

In addition to her work with the association, Liana has sat on the boards of several charitable organizations. For more than 22 years, she has served as president, treasurer and in other roles with the local chapter of an international women’s advocacy organization and participated as a delegate in international conventions. Liana also volunteers with the Canadian Red Cross as a Safety and Wellbeing Responder and participates on the Emergency Response Team, providing crisis mental health support during emergencies.

A strong voice for the profession and a tireless advocate for the association’s members, Liana is focused on bringing members more fully into the mainstream of mental health care by raising our profile, collaborating with peer mental health professions,  advocating for insurance coverage and integrating the profession in all aspects of the health care system.

Katharine De Santos is a Registered Psychotherapist and Clinic Director at Healthy Minds Psychotherapy located in Toronto. Katharine holds a Bachelor’s degree from Western University, a Master’s degree from George Washington University, post graduate work at Johns Hopkins University, and a Master’s certificate on Global Mental Health: Trauma and Recovery awarded by Harvard Medical School.

She has over 20 years of experience treating adolescents and adults with various clinical symptoms and concerns including: depression/anxiety, trauma, relationships, substance use/addiction issues and eating disorders in Canada and the United States. Her treatment experience focuses on using evidence-based approaches including CBT, DBT, mindfulness and attachment-based therapies. Katharine has worked in out-patient, in-patient hospital settings, emergency trauma response teams, employee family assistance organizations and private practice settings in both Canada and the U.S. As a compassionate and understanding therapist, she encourages self-discovery, self-acceptance and provides a positive space to heal and grow.

Katharine has provided Clinical Supervision to Master’s level students, as well as those who have been working in the field for over 15 years. As a good clinical supervisor, she is a supportive and experienced mentor who guides and empowers her supervisees in their professional development. She encourages critical thinking and help her supervisees navigate complex clinical situations while promoting ethical and evidence-based practice. Her approach is collaborative, nurturing their growth and confidence as they become skilled and compassionate healthcare professionals.

Katharine has been actively engaged with Ontario's mental health community as a Board Director for the Ontario Association of Mental Health Professionals (OAMHP) since 2018. Her foremost objective as an OAMHP board member is to drive progress in the field of mental health by championing the highest standards of ethics, professionalism, and efficacy among association members. She is dedicated to nurturing collaboration and knowledge exchange within the organization, ensuring that members have access to the most up-to-date research and best practices. Furthermore, she is committed to advocating for the profession, raising awareness of its significance in mental healthcare, and actively addressing pertinent policy and regulatory matters. Ultimately, her primary focus remains on providing unwavering support to members and elevating the quality of mental health services for the betterment of clients and the community.

Jane received her undergraduate degree with a focus in Psychology from Brock University and her certificate in Mediation, with a concentration in Family Mediation, from York University. She obtained her Master’s Degree in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University. She has a certificate in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy from OISE/University of Toronto/Hincks-Dellcrest Centre and has received training in Meditation for the management of chronic pain from the NeuroNova Centre for Mindful Solutions.

She is a trained facilitator and public speaker who has many years of professional and volunteer experience working with people who have special needs and has several years of experience working within medical clinics; she has a private practice in Richmond Hill.

She has worked within a variety of programs at Family Services York Region (FSYR) - counseling individuals, couples and families, along with assisting those who have survived domestic abuse. She has also developed and facilitated programs with Eating Disorders of York Region (EDOYR) and provided community presentations to raise public awareness about the risk factors and serious health effects of Eating Disorders. She is passionate about learning and has served as a Teaching Assistant for graduate students within the Faculty of Behavioural Sciences at Yorkville University.

Jennifer is a Registered Psychotherapist and Clinical Director of Roots in Wellness, a group practice out of Hamilton, Ontario. Jennifer specializes in working with the LGTBQ+ community, sex therapy, and the trans community. She is also a Clinical Supervisor with a passion for helping the next generation of therapists grow and learn, taking on both students and qualifying therapists.

As the Clinical Director for Trans Atlantic Training, Jennifer also delivers training workshops to therapists, focused on working with the queer community and developing their practice to be more inclusive. Jennifer's therapeutic and supervision styles are both very person-centered and integrative, and she loves learning new ways to integrate various modalities and interventions into her work.

Caroline lives in Burlington, Ontario and holds a Master’s degree in Applied Developmental Psychology from the University of Guelph. She has been registered with the College of Psychologists of Ontario (CPO) since 1995. From 1984 to 2017, Caroline worked for the Halton District School Board, first as a Psychoeducational Consultant and then as a Senior Manager of Professional Services. There, she supervised a large team and supported a diverse group of learners.

Caroline is a Past-President of OAPA, and continues to advocate for Master's prepared members of CPO.

In 2017, she retired from her Senior Manager position, but has remained busy with some contract work, daily walks, and serving on the board of the OAMHP.

She has two grown daughters, one in Denver and the other recently moved to London, England for graduate studies.

Caroline has worked extensively with community members as part of the government’s “Special Needs Strategy” as well as part of a community planning table for children and youth with complex care needs and/or requiring residential treatment. 

In 2017, she retired from her Senior Manager position, but has remained busy, being an active walker and reader and now serving on the board of the OAMHP.

She has two grown daughters, who she often visits in Toronto and Denver.

Michael is a Southern Ontario based Clinical Psychologist and Registered Psychotherapist. He was born in Thunder Bay, Ontario, where he began his education and career. He continues to be strongly connected to the mental health needs of northern and rural Ontarians, with a focus on telehealth and other alternative support methodologies. Michael also maintains a strong interest in ethics and health legislation, which is an area he fosters through his academic work at Adler Graduate Professional School.

Michael was President of the Ontario Association of Psychological Associates (OAPA) for 8 years, ending his tenure through the merger of OAPA with OACCPP to form the Ontario Association of Mental Health Professionals (OAMHP). When not attending to association and governance work, Michael is the founder and clinical director of a multidisciplinary private practice that services various locations across the greater Toronto area and further afield through telehealth.

Désirée Jones (she/her) has focused the past 18 years of her career on working within the mental health sector as both a clinical leader and Registered Psychotherapist with the CRPO. Much of Désirée's career has been focused on system transformation in child and youth mental health, specifically in increasing access and expanded resourcing. In line with her passion for community services, she currently sits on the Board for the Brampton Library and has also been actively involved with Strong Minds Strong Kids (The Psychology Foundation of Canada) supporting their work on the ‘Make the Connection’ program. She is also a member of their 0-3 committee.

Désirée's experiences have included Employee and Family Assistance Program, as well as clinical management in the child and youth mental health sector for lead community mental health agencies in Ontario as well as a national children’s counselling service. As a Psychotherapist and Validated Clinical Supervisor, she has brought her extensive training and experience to support aspiring psychotherapists and experienced clinicians working with those in need.

Currently, Désirée is the Chair of the Certification Committee for the Ontario Association for Mental Health Professionals and deeply believes in elevating clinical excellence from a peer review and professional development lens. Désirée completed both her degrees in the United Kingdom; Bachelor of Science (hons) in Psychology at the University of Wales, Cardiff, and her Master of Science (MSc.) in Clinical Psychology at the University of Wales, Bangor. During her studies, her research in the areas of self-harm and how service users experience mental health services was published in both English and in Welsh.

Self-care and family are a pivotal part of her everyday life and as such, she loves spending time with her husband, daughter, and pup going for long hikes and seeking adventures together.

Gail is a member of the CRPO and a Certified member of the OAMHP. She has provided Mental Health supports for more than 25 years to people people with neurodiversity, as well as worked in her private practice with people experiencing challenges maintaining their Mental Wellness.

She is currently a Manager of Clinical Services supporting Behavioral specialists and Psychometrists in their work through Regional Support Associates, an outreach program with the Woodstock Hospital.

She has provided Clinical Supervision to professionals seeking their registration to the CPRO and continued growth toward sustaining the profession of Psychotherapy and Psychometry.

She is dedicated to providing ethical learning, coaching and mentoring while being supportive and empowering. She is open to supervising Master's level students looking to move forward in their professional development.

She uses models such as DBT, CBT, Narrative and ACT to address challenges people are having, such as anxiety, impacts of trauma and other unwellness that impacts their day to day lives. She walks alongside both supervisees and her clients in Regional Support Associates, as well as private practice.

She also has a small private practice using Psychotherapy models such as DBT. CBT and narrative therapy to work with adults living with issues with their wellness. She also specializes in presentations about Trauma informed supports, team building and Self care.

If you wish to connect further, please contact Gail at 226-919-5779 or visit her practice website at http://www.gccounsellingservices.org

Prior to becoming a therapist, Juli worked for 32 years in the Pharmaceutical Industry primarily in the fields of Leadership and Organizational Development. Juli holds a Masters of Arts, Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University. She is a member of OAMHP and CADDRA  (Canadian ADD Resource Alliance).

Juli is licensed with the College of Registered Psychotherapists Ontario (CRPO) and College of Counselling Therapy PEI (CCTPEI).  Juli has a particular interest in Eating Disorders, Borderline Personality Disorder, helping support caregivers, who have family members with Alzheimers Disease, any type of cancer or rare disease, and mental health disorders. ⁠⁣ Juli has also counselled clients who have been challenged with grief, life transitions, anxiety, depression, complex trauma and addiction. ​

​ Juli also supports adults with ADHD, with executive function coaching and has completed CADDRA's Introduction to ADHD for Healthcare Professionals. Juli uses a blend of strategies drawn from trauma-informed cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), solutions focused therapy, narrative therapy, mindfulness, and emotionally-focused therapy (EFT).

Beata is a founder of the Restore Psychotherapy. She has over 20 years experience in the rehabilitation industry. Initially working as a physiotherapist, Beata has worked in a variety of clinical settings, which provides her with an in-depth understanding of the body. Beata continued her journey in the field of psychology. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from the University of Toronto, a Clinical Behavioural Sciences Graduate Diploma from McMaster University, and a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University.

Beata is now a Registered Psychotherapist (RP) with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) and Certified Clinical Traumatologist. She completed her counselling internship with the Ministry of Solicitor General at a local Detention Centre, assisting clients who experience psychosocial challenges, trauma, and have been victims of sexual abuse, sexual offenders, PTSD, or addictions. She also worked with military veterans and clients experiencing complex issues including mental health, homelessness, social exclusion, and involved in the criminal justice system.

Beata studied Disability Management at the Pacific Coast University for Workplace Health Sciences. She is a Certified Disability Management Professional (CDMP) with the National Institute of Disability Management and Research (NIDMAR) and a Certified Vocational Rehabilitation Professional (CVRP). Beata possesses unique understanding for the Body-Mind connection and an ability to provide a true biopsychosocial approach to case management and counselling.

Marcelane Barrett-Tynes often referred to as Dr. Marcy is a professor in the School of Arts and Science at Seneca College. Educationally Marcy has procured a Doctorate in psychology, Masters in Counselling psychology and is a graduate of the Liberal Studies program at Seneca. She is registered with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario, and continues to work as a psychotherapist in her private practice; where she provides holistic services in mobilizing people towards changes in their cognitive, emotional and social aspects of their lives.

Her professional work at Seneca includes working as a Case Manager, Counsellor and more recently professor where she teaches courses in psychology. She has been involved in a variety of projects throughout the years which have centered on improving access and retention rates of economically disadvantaged youth. Marcelane is one of the founders of the College Opportunities Program and was a member of the Equity Diversity and Inclusion policy committee.

In terms of her professional interests she is interested in motivational theories and assisting people in regulating their emotions, utilizing aspects of themselves that can bring their bodies to a feeling of balance.

Marcelane’s goal as she continues in her profession is to identify gaps and to implement change to those in need.

Amanda obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Carleton University, and a Master’s degree in Counselling and Spirituality from Saint Paul University. She is a Registered Psychotherapist in private practice, serving individuals in Oakville, Ottawa, and their surrounding areas. Her areas of practice include anxiety, depression, grief, childhood trauma, and racial trauma. Amanda’s therapeutic style is integrative and incorporates approaches such as Compassionate Inquiry, Internal Family Systems and Tree of Life Narrative.

Amanda has more than 30 years’ experience as a Psychometrist in clinical, research, and private practice settings. She has previously held positions with the Behavioural Neurosciences and Consultation Liaison team at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, the Parkinson’s Clinic (Civic Campus, Ottawa Hospital) and the Memory Loss Clinic (Royal Ottawa Health Care Group). Currently, Amanda is a consultant who lends her psychometric expertise to Roger Neilson’s House, a paediatric residential hospice in Ottawa.

Amanda’s commitment to making a difference in the lives of others is mirrored in her past volunteer work. For 10 years, she was the Chief Executive Officer and President of One Boy One Van Foundation – a registered charitable organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for special needs children and their families in Eastern Ontario.

Staff

Maryann joined the OAMHP in 2015 and is the senior staff person. She liaises with the Board of Directors, President and, Committees to guide and implement the policies of the Board.

She also coordinates office staff to ensure the effective execution of these important projects. Maryann is currently working towards her CAE (Certified Association Executive) designation with the CSAE (Canadian Society of Association Executives).  In her spare time, she serves on the Board of Directors for Volunteer Toronto, and enjoys travelling and hiking with her family.

Maryann has a background in non-profit and association management.

Natasha is the Director of Communications & Public Policy, where she works to develop and implement communication strategies which will broaden the Association’s impact. She is responsible for providing strategic direction on a wide variety of internal and external communication activities and also manages and coordinates the Association’s advocacy and public policy efforts.

Natasha has been involved in the mental health field for more than 20 years – and before that she was an environmental advocate. She is also a certified Purpose Guide™, helping individuals and groups to find their way to creating meaningful, purposeful, and sustainable change in the way they live and work.

Ruth Taylor is responsible for the financial and administrative operations of the Association. Ruth assumed the role of Operations Manager, a newly created position in 2016.  She has been working to establish clear financial, administrative and HR policies, procedures and processes for OAMHP.

Ruth moved to Toronto from Victoria, British Columbia in 2009 and has worked in the non-profit sector for 7 years. She enjoys watching documentaries, the True Crime genre, and laughing at her own jokes.

As OAMHP’s Professional Development Manager, Jacqueline oversees the development of programming that recognizes and enhances the skills of our members. She is excited to create learning opportunities for members such as workshops and webinars, to provide support to regional networks, to manage the Annual Conference, and to support OAMHP committees as they strive to offer excellent professional and skills development opportunities for OAMHP members.

Jacqueline has a Masters of Education with a focus on workplace learning and social change from OISE and has worked with non-profits and member organizations to deliver relevant and high-quality learning and development opportunities.

Melanie is our point person to answer questions from members and applicants regarding our benefits and services. She oversees new member applications and membership renewal. mmoyano@oamhp.ca