Training to improve understanding and recognition of psychotherapy

Although psychotherapy is an activity defined and reserved by law, it can be difficult to distinguish it from related interventions. Offered free of charge, the training presented below (French only) helps you grasp the complexity of the issues involved and describes the methodology used to distinguish it from similar interventions.

• Course notes: “L’opérationnalisation de la définition de la psychothérapie” (French only).

Objectives of the training activity:

• Understand the meaning and scope of the definition of psychotherapy, particularly as it relates to psychological treatment
• Identify the boundary between psychotherapy and related interventions
• Distinguish the practice of psychotherapy from interventions using tools or techniques derived from theoretical models

During this training session, which was first delivered as part of the Ordre's 2018 congress, the risks of confusion caused by using the same terms for different realities or practices are also addressed. The training is the result of long-term collaboration between professional orders whose members can practice psychotherapy. In 2015, the orders set up a working committee to clarify the meaning and scope of the legal definition of psychotherapy and develop a common understanding of the practice of psychotherapy and the required qualifications. Based on the constituent elements of psychotherapy, the work has enabled us, among other things, to gain a better grasp of the fundamental differences between it and other interventions.

Trainer: Pierre Desjardins, psychologist

A member of the Ordre since 1976, Pierre Desjardins has worked as a clinical psychologist for over 24 years in the healthcare network, first in a dependency centre, then in adult psychiatry in a hospital, and finally in early childhood and family psychology in a CLSC. At the same time, Mr. Desjardins maintained a private clinical practice, in addition to taking on course loads at the graduate and post-graduate levels in psychology.

Mr. Desjardins worked for over 16 years as Director of Quality and Practice Development and as Special Advisor for Quality and Practice Development to the Ordre des psychologues du Québec. Responsible for professional inspection and continuing education, he worked on the development of documents relating to the practice of psychologists, contributed to the drafting of opinions and briefs on various subjects, and was a member of the working group at the Office des professions responsible for drafting and updating the explanatory guide to Bill 21. Mr. Desjardins helped to update Bill 21, particularly through his work to improve understanding of the meaning and scope of reserved activities, including psychotherapy.