Declaration of services to citizens

Mission

The primary mission of the Ordre des psychologues du Québec is to protect the public. To this end, the Ordre:

ensures the quality of services offered by members
promotes the development of the profession
defends citizens’ right to access psychological services

Vision and values

The Ordre aims to remain a leading point of reference for its expertise and that of its members in mental health and psychology, guided by its values and in the interests of all citizens. The values that guide its actions are integrity, rigour and respect.

Services

The Ordre des psychologues du Québec:

assists members of the public in finding a psychologist’s or psychotherapist’s permit holder
provides information to the public on members’ practice, professional contact information and disciplinary history
answers questions on professional ethics from members of the public
informs members of the public of their rights and means of recourse
receives reports from members of the public through the Office of the Syndic on the conduct of psychologists, investigates and, if necessary, files complaints with the Disciplinary Council
issues psychologist's and psychotherapist's permits to those who meet the relevant requirements
monitors to identify cases of illegal practice of psychotherapy and usurpation of the title of psychologist and takes disciplinary action where necessary
conducts professional inspections to ensure the quality and development of practice
offers and oversees continuing education for its members to maintain and improve their skills
oversees the practice of its members
publishes opinions, guides, briefs, guidelines and other documents on best practices in psychology
publishes a magazine and newsletters for members of the Ordre
maintains a website
engages with the media and other forums (e.g. parliamentary commissions) on topics related to psychology and access to psychological services

Services and recourse available to citizens

Finding psychological help
The Ordre reiterates its commitment to making representations to the relevant authorities to improve universal, free access to psychological services.

Public health and education networks
CLSCs, hospitals and schools generally offer psychological services free of charge to their users or students. Citizens must contact the institution where they wish to obtain services directly to make an appointment. More than 3,000 psychologists work in the public school and health sectors across Quebec.

To find a CLSC, contact Info-Social 811. For more information on mental health services, visit the Quebec government website.

Private practice
The Ordre des psychologues du Québec offers the public an online search tool to find a psychologist’s or psychotherapist’s permit holder working in a private office, based on various criteria: problem, clientele, location, etc. This search tool, called “Find Help,” is presented on the home page of the Ordre's website. For each professional there is a detailed fact sheet including the following details: contact information, languages spoken, services offered, areas of practice, theoretical orientations, work/contracts accepted, clienteles served, and techniques used. More than 3,000 psychologists work exclusively in private practice in Quebec.

You can also contact our call centre agents, who will use the same search tool, to obtain three names of professionals and their contact information: 514-738-1223 or 1-800-561-1223, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Searching for contact information or checking a permit
On the home page of its website, the Ordre invites citizens to “verify good standing.” This search engine can be used to check whether an individual is a psychologist or holds a psychotherapist's permit. The professional's contact information is posted, along with the activities he or she is authorized to practice, including psychotherapy, psychological diagnosis and neuropsychological assessment. If the professional has a private practice and is available to receive new clients, a button leading to his or her detailed file is displayed.

The public can also contact the Ordre des psychologues du Québec by phone to do the same check. If the professional has consented, we can also provide the following information over the phone: psychology degrees, areas of practice, theoretical orientations, all booked activities, telepractice, clienteles served, and services offered.

Disciplinary history
The Secretariat of the Disciplinary Council of the Ordre des psychologues du Québec can provide information to the public on the past or current disciplinary records of psychologists and holders of a psychotherapist's permit who are not members of a professional order.

Once made public, disciplinary decisions are forwarded within 45 days to the Société québécoise d'information juridique, which makes them available on its website (French only).

Questions about the conduct of a psychologist
Members of the public often want to find out from someone whether they should be concerned about a situation they believe to be potentially problematic. The Order's Board of Ethics takes calls from the public and psychologists to answer their questions. The Order does not provide legal advice or opinions.

Reporting an illegal practice
The Ordre des psychologues du Québec can prosecute for usurpation of title any person using the title of psychologist or psychotherapist (or a title or abbreviation that suggests it) without having the proper permit to do so. In addition, the Ordre is responsible for monitoring to identify cases of illegal practice of reserved activities such as psychotherapy, mental disorder assessment and neuropsychological assessment. The Ordre may also take legal action against anyone who claims to be authorized to engage in these activities or who acts in such a way as to give reason to believe that he or she is authorized to do so. Members of the public can report an illegal practice or usurpation of title to the Ordre. A form for this purpose is available on the Ordre website.

Account conciliation and arbitration
In the event of a disagreement regarding a fee account, a request for conciliation may be submitted to the Office of the Syndic within 45 days of receipt of the account. If conciliation is not possible, the requesting party may apply to the Ordre’s General Secretary for arbitration within 30 days of receipt of the conciliation report.

To file a complaint
The Office of the Syndic of the Ordre des psychologues du Québec is responsible for conducting investigations into inappropriate behaviour or conduct by a psychologist or a holder of a psychotherapist's permit who is not a member of a professional order. A complaint form is available on the Ordre's website.

The duration of an investigation varies with the complexity of the situation in question. On average, it takes four to six months to complete an investigation. The Office of the Syndic must inform you in writing of the progress of its investigation 90 days after the request for investigation is filed, and every 60 days thereafter, until its conclusion.

At the end of the investigation, the Office of the Syndic may or may not decide to refer the complaint to the Disciplinary Council.

Review Committee
When the Office of the Syndic decides that there are no grounds to file a complaint against a professional with the Disciplinary Council, the person who requested the investigation may apply to the Review Committee for an opinion regarding the Syndic's decision not to file a complaint.

Disciplinary Council
The Disciplinary Council is a quasi-judicial tribunal independent of the Ordre. The Disciplinary Council receives complaints made by a Syndic or private individual against a psychologist or a psychotherapist who is not a member of a professional order, hears the evidence and determines whether there has been a breach of professional laws and applicable regulations.

The calendar of disciplinary hearings is available on the Ordre's website.

Application for a psychologist's or psychotherapist's permit
The Ordre des psychologues du Québec is responsible for issuing psychologist’s and psychotherapist’s permits. It also analyzes requests for equivalence of professional training acquired abroad. Requirements, procedures, forms and information on fees are detailed on the Ordre's website, in the “Obtenir un permis” section (French only).

Equivalence Decision Review Committee and Psychotherapist’s Permit Review Committee
In the event that an application for a permit is denied, a candidate may request a review of the decision, provided he or she submits a written request to the General Secretary within 30 days of receiving the decision.

Before rendering a decision, the Review Committee must allow the candidate to present his or her observations. Candidates who wish to be present to make their observations must notify the Ordre's General Secretary at least five days before the date scheduled for the committee meeting. The candidate may, however, send his or her written observations to the General Secretary at any time before the date set for the meeting. The decision of the Review Committee is final and unappealable and is sent in writing to the candidate within 30 days after the meeting.

Access to information
Access may be requested to documents or information relating to the control of the practice of the profession. A request may be made verbally or in writing to the Ordre’s Access Officer. Note, however, that, under the law, only decisions made by the Access Officer in response to written requests may be appealed to the Commission d'accès à l'information. On receipt of the request, the Access Officer sends an acknowledgement of receipt specifying the date on which a written reply will be sent. Requests relating to investigations carried out by the Office of the Syndic must be forwarded directly to it for processing. By law, requests must be processed within 20 days. However, if necessary, this period may be extended by 10 days.

Undertakings
In carrying out its activities, the Ordre undertakes to:

respond with respect, courtesy, diligence and promptness to all requests
protect the confidentiality of information communicated and only allow its disclosure when authorized by law
demonstrate professionalism, impartiality and thoroughness

Contact the Ordre des psychologues du Québec

Ordre des psychologues du Québec
1100 Beaumont Avenue, Suite 510
Mount Royal, Quebec
H3P 3H5

Phone: 514-738-1881 or 1-800-363-2644
E-mail: info@ordrepsy.qc.ca
Fax: 514-738-8838

Business hours

Labour Day (September) to Fête nationale du Québec (June):

Monday to Wednesday: 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Thursday: 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Friday: 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

From Fête nationale du Québec (June) to Labour Day (September):

Monday to Wednesday: 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Thursday: 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Friday: 8:30 a.m. to noon

Call centre for people looking for a psychologist or licensed psychotherapist working in private practice:

Phone: 514-738-1223 or 1-800 561-1223, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.