Yes. Psychologists are trained to apply mental health diagnoses when appropriate, and are among the few Regulated Health Professionals who are able to conduct the controlled act of communicating a diagnosis.
Why Choose a Regulated Practitioner?
Psychology is a regulated profession and practitioners within the profession are required by law to deliver competent, ethical and professional services. They are accountable to the public through the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario, (the Psychology regulatory body) for their professional behaviour and activities. As members of the College, Psychologists must meet rigorous professional entry requirements, adhering to standards, guidelines and the ethical principles as laid down by their respective College. They are also required to participate in quality assurance activities to continually update and improve their knowledge, skills and competencies.
In contrast, the College has no authority over unregulated service providers. If you see an unregulated practitioner, you are not protected nor can you hold unregulated providers accountable for the services you receive, based on expected or assumed levels of education, training, competence or professional and ethical standards of conduct.
Some regulated professionals employ unregulated providers as assistants or support personnel. These individuals are employed as aides rather than as an alternative to regulated professionals.
The legal and ethical responsibility for all services remains the full responsibility of the regulated professional under which any other worker is employed. Accountability to ensure you receive competent, ethical care is therefore always maintained.
The College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario maintain a register of all currently registered practitioners. This information is available to you through the on-line directory CPBAO.
Do I Need A Referral To Access Services From Moss Psychology?
No. Self-referrals are always welcome. When appropriate, coordination with other service providers (such as physicians, lawyers, case managers, occupational therapists, teachers) can be helpful and may be recommended but is not necessary.
Who Can Benefit From Consultation With A Practitioner Within Moss Psychology?
Any individual who believes that they have a need for services provided by a trained and regulated professional whose areas of specialty are dealing with personal and interpersonal issues and problems from a psychological, emotional, or cognitive perspective.
It is also not uncommon for individuals to seek therapeutic services for concerns such as abuse, trauma, injury, loss, separation, or various psychological symptoms, including depression or anxiety, that have risen to a level that interrupts their lives.
Exploration of one’s past and goals for the future, as well as struggles in relationships are other areas in which a therapist can provide assistance.
Are Moss Psychology Services OHIP-Covered?
No. However, there are various third-party coverage mechanisms that can provide financial support to help access psychological services.
Please Contact Us for further information on the organizations that Moss Psychology currently works with.
Are Your Services Private And Confidential?
Yes with the exception of some legally-mandated limits to confidentiality. Under certain conditions, our practitioner’s files are not “protected”, such as if these records are subpoenaed by a judge.
Also under certain conditions, our practitioner’s have an obligation to report concerns to appropriate authorities or persons; these specific conditions include the following: if there are reasonable grounds to suspect that a child (presently under 16 years of age) is being physically, emotionally or sexually abused, that a resident of a long-term care facility or a retirement home is being abused, or there are reasonable grounds to suspect, that another registered health care professional (e.g., a physician, dentist, chiropractor) has sexually abused a patient.
How Long Does Treatment Last?
The answer to this question depends on a number of factors including the nature of the issue, personal goals, level of change required/requested, and extent of current stressors or the timing of anticipated stressors.
Sometimes, a course of therapy is completed and another course begins at a later time due to changing life circumstances, readiness to revisit and continue working on some difficult issues, or financial restrictions.
How Frequently Should Sessions Occur?
That depends on a host of issues, such as complexity of the problem, emotional “pacing”, or practical concerns, such as financial or scheduling considerations.
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