Advocacy and Outreach

Current Advocacy Issues

Expanding Access to Mental Health Care: Registration Modernization

Psychology Registration Modernization

Update following CPBAO Council decisions

In December 2025, the Council of the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario (CPBAO) approved a set of significant registration modernization changes, which are now moving forward to the Ministry of Health for consideration.

These decisions represent an important moment for the psychology profession in Ontario. They reflect years of discussion about fairness, workforce sustainability, public access, and alignment with contemporary practice realities. In particular, this represents a meaningful step forward after many years of sustained member-driven advocacy to achieve fair and accurate title alignment for master’s-trained psychologists.

OAMHP has long supported thoughtful modernization that strengthens public protection while reducing unnecessary barriers to practice. We are encouraged by the direction of the approved changes, including expanded accreditation pathways, governance reform, and steps to address long-standing equity and labour mobility issues.

OAMHP’s response

Following the Council meeting, OAMHP submitted a formal letter to CPBAO acknowledging the decisions and outlining key considerations as the changes move toward implementation. Our response emphasizes:

The importance of clear timelines and communication as changes proceed to the Ministry of Health
The need for careful attention to implementation details, supervision models, and workforce impacts
The importance of professional conduct, ethical leadership, and psychological safety during periods of regulatory change

You can read OAMHP’s full response here:
OAMHP Letter to CPBAO regarding approved modernization changes (PDF, December 2025)

What happens next

As this work continues, OAMHP remains committed to:

Engaging constructively with CPBAO on implementation and transition planning
Advocating for clear, accurate public and registrant communications
Supporting members across professions as the regulatory landscape evolves

We recognize that periods of regulatory change can generate uncertainty and strong reactions. OAMHP’s goal is to provide calm, evidence-informed advocacy and to help members navigate what these changes mean in practice.

OAMHP Advocacy Statements and Submissions
September 29 2025 - Open Letter to CPBAO (pdf)
October 22 2025 - Media Release (pdf)
November 20 2025 - Media release (pdf)
November 21 2025 - Member Toolkit (pdf)
November 28 2025 - OAMHP Submission (pdf)
December 18 2025 - Open Letter to CPBAO (pdf)
April 2026 — Position Paper: Psychology Registration Modernization in Ontario (pdf)

History of Masters-Prepared Practitioners in Ontario Psychology
Read the history (PDF) ➜

Key Facts

A Deeper Dive

New: Position Paper — April 2026

A comprehensive, historically grounded account of what is proposed, why it matters, and what the evidence shows.

→ Read the Position Paper (pdf)

By the numbers

105 days — average wait for intensive child & youth mental health treatment
1 in 10 Canadians waiting 131+ days for community mental health counselling
~1,600 mental health practitioners per 100,000 Ontarians — below the national average

Government Direction: Ontario’s Fairness Commissioner, as well as the federal One Canadian Economy initiative, encourage regulators to remove unnecessary barriers and improve mobility across Canada.
→ Fair Registration Practices Report 2024

Same Scope of Practice: Under the Psychology Act, 1991, both Psychologists (PhD) and Psychological Associates (MA + supervised practice) share the exact same legislated scope, including the authority to diagnose.
→ 2002 CPO Bulletin

Public Interest: Ontario faces a serious shortage of psychologists. Modernizing registration pathways is about removing barriers, not lowering standards, so more Ontarians can access timely care.

WSIB Expands Access to Mental Health Care

OAMHP has been at the table advocating for an integrated, community-based approach to mental health care for injured workers.

The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) has launched a refreshed Mental Health Program of Care (MH POC), a bundled model that brings together psychologists, psychotherapists, social workers, occupational therapists, and other regulated health professionals authorized to perform psychotherapy. Designed to strengthen collaboration across disciplines and improve timely access to care for injured workers across Ontario, the MH POC reflects the kind of team-based, community-rooted model OAMHP has long championed.

The solicitation for service providers has now closed (the application window ran from November 2025 to February 2026).

Already delivering services under the MH POC?

OAMHP has a listserv for members working within this program — a space to connect with colleagues, support each other, and facilitate referrals. To join, email community@oamhp.ca.

OAMHP Responds to Proposed Scope Expansion for Psychologists

OAMHP has submitted a formal response to the Ministry of Health’s consultation on proposed amendments to the Psychology Act, 1991 (Regulatory Registry Proposal No. 51713). The proposed changes would allow certain psychologists, following advanced training, to prescribe select psychotropic medications and order diagnostic tests.

OAMHP’s submission supports the initiative in principle, emphasizing that equitable training, strong supervision, interprofessional collaboration, and clear limits on scope are essential to safeguard patients and enhance system efficiency. The response highlights the potential benefits for access, equity, and continuity of care across Ontario, particularly for rural and underserved communities.

Read OAMHP’s Full Submission →
Public comments are open until November 3, 2025.
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