Legislative Update

Upcoming Transitional Council meetings

Transitional Council meetings are open to the public to observe. Meetings normally take place at the Transitional Council office (163 Queen Street East, fourth floor, Toronto).

The remaining meetings for 2010 are on June 16, September 22 and November 17. All meetings are scheduled to run from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
You are encouraged to confirm the date and location beforehand by e-mailing the Council.

For more information, see the Transitional Council’s website.

Transitional Council Announced!

The Transitional Council for the College of Psychotherapists and Registered Mental Health Therapists of Ontario has been chosen.
The names of those appointed to the Transitional Council are as follows:

1. Heidi Ahonen-Eerikäinen, Clinical member, OSP
   

2. Carol Cowan-Levine
   

3. Bikram Dasgupta
   

4. Annette Dekker
   

5. Pat DeYoung, Clinical member, OSP
   

6. Jack Ferrari
   

7. Irene Maria Keroglidis
   

8. Terence (Philip) McKenna
   

9. Julius Nathoo
   

10. Thomas O’Connor
    

11. Kevin John Vanderzwet Stafford
    

12. Thomas Wall
    

13. Linda Ann Daly

During the transition period, until the Council of the College is in place, the Transitional Council exercises the powers of a Council of a health regulatory College to carry out the statutory objectives of a College to serve and protect the public interest. The Transitional Council is time limited and exists until it has developed a framework that would permit the College to fully undertake its regulatory functions. At this time, the duties of the Transitional Council will cease and the Council of the College of Psychotherapists and Registered Mental Health Therapists of Ontario will be established with the proclamation of the remaining provisions of the Psychotherapy Act, 2007.

The Ontario Society of Psychotherapists represents over 300 members who provide service to more than 15,000 people each year across Ontario in private practice settings. Our members provide services that are available, culturally sensitive, and cost effective. Offering services outside of the medical model allows Ontario residents a route to mental health care that avoids much of the stigma attached to psychiatric care.

Psychotherapists play a significant role in the provision of mental health services in Ontario which has largely gone unrecognized. The College of Psychotherapists and Registered Mental Health Therapists will soon govern our members and more than an estimated 800 other therapists operating in the province.

The Act:

To see a copy of the Psychotherapy Act:
http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/statutes/english/elaws_statutes_07p10_e.htm

The Select Committee on Mental Health and Addictions

An all-party committee has been formed by the Ontario legislature. The Select Committee on Mental Health and Addictions – with representatives from all three parties - will work with consumers/survivors, providers, experts and other interested parties to determine the mental health and addiction needs that currently exist. The committee is expected to issue a report in 2010 that will:

• Determine the mental health and addiction needs of children and young adults; First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples; and seniors
• Explore innovative approaches to delivering services in the community
• Identify ways to leverage existing opportunities and initiatives within the current mental health and addictions system.

OSP has prepared a Submission to the Select Committee. To see a copy of our submission please click here.

Minister's Advisory Group on Mental Health and Addictions

The government has also established a Minister's Advisory Group on Mental Health and Addictions made up of consumers, family members, providers and researchers from across the province. It includes a range of perspectives such as children and youth, aboriginal, workplace and women. Input from both committees will be used to develop a long term strategy for mental health and addiction.

For more Information:
http://ogov.newswire.ca/ontario/GPOE/2009/02/24/c3389.html?lmatch=<=_e.htm

The Transitional Council:

The Transitional Council for establishing the Ontario College of Psychotherapists and Registered Mental Health Therapists will be appointed in the spring of 2009.

The Ontario Coalition of Mental Health Professionals
OSP is a member of The Ontario Coalition of Mental Health Professionals. The Coalition is an organization of like-minded partners dedicated to the recognition of the counselling and the psychotherapy professions in Ontario
For more information on the Coalition: http://www.mentalhealthcoalition.ca/

The Coalition recently polled its members to prepare for the position statements it will submit to the Transitional Council of the new College when it is up and running. To see a copy of OSP’s response to these questions click here.