What are unlawful practices and usurpation of title?

There are two ways of breaking the law:

• Using a title reserved for a professional, or a title, abbreviation or initials that could lead one to believe that he or she is one, without being authorized to do so.
• Carrying out reserved activities without being authorized to do so, claiming to have the right to do so, or acting in such a way as to give reason to believe that one is authorized to do so.

Usurpation of title

The Professional Code reserves the title of “psychologist” for members of the Ordre des psychologues du Québec and the title of “psychotherapist” for physicians, psychologists and holders of a psychotherapist's permit issued by the Ordre. Anyone else using this title may be sued for usurpation of the title.

Regarding the title of psychologist, the Professional Code states:
“No person shall in any way whatsoever: [...] e) use the title ‘Psychologist’ or any other title or abbreviation which may lead to the belief that he is a psychologist, or use initials which may lead to the belief that he is a psychologist, unless he holds a valid permit for that purpose and is entered on the roll of the Ordre professionnel des psychologues du Québec.” (Professional Code, art. 36 (e)).

Here are a few examples of what might be seen as usurpation of the title of psychologist:

• Calling oneself a psychologue or psychologist
• Calling oneself a metapsychologist or parapsychologist
• Calling oneself a soul psychologist or sports psychologist
• Advertising under the heading “psychologist”
• Using the abbreviation “psy”

Here are a few examples of what might be seen as usurpation of the title of psychotherapist:

• Calling oneself a psychothérapeute or psychotherapist
• Calling oneself a psychoanalyst or metapsychoanalyst
• Calling oneself a spiritual psychotherapist
• Calling oneself a psychological therapist or psychopractitioner
• Advertising under the heading “psychotherapist” or “psychotherapy”

Regarding the title of psychotherapist, the Professional Code also states:

"With the exception of physicians and psychologists, no person shall practice psychotherapy or use the title of 'Psychotherapist' or any other title or abbreviation which may lead to the belief that he is a psychotherapist, unless he holds a psychotherapist’s permit." (Professional Code, art. 187.1)

Activities reserved for psychologists

Some activities are reserved for psychologists in collaboration with other professionals. Here are a few of these reserved activities, which members of the Ordre are often called upon to carry out:

Assessment of mental disorders

"Assessing a mental disorder, in the context of reserved activities, means making a clinical judgment, based on the information available to the professional, on the nature of ‘clinically significant conditions characterized by alterations in thinking, mood (emotions) or behaviour associated with personal distress and/or impaired functioning,’ and communicating the outcome of this judgment." (Office des professions du Québec, Guide explicatif [Explanatory guide], p. 34 – French only)

Assessment of neuropsychological disorders

“The evaluation of a neuropsychological disorder consists of making a clinical judgment about the nature of ‘clinically significant conditions characterized by neurobehavioural changes (cognitive, emotional and behavioural in nature) related to the dysfunction of higher mental functions because of damage to the central nervous system’ and communicating the findings.” (section 3.6.3, p. 23, of the Explanatory guide)

Psychotherapy

The practice of psychotherapy is reserved for psychologists, physicians and holders of a psychotherapist's permit. The Ordre des psychologues du Québec is responsible for prosecuting the illegal practice of psychotherapy and usurpation of the title of psychotherapist.

Psychotherapy as defined by the Professional Code is:

“A psychological treatment for a mental disorder, for behavioural disturbances or for any other problem resulting in psychological suffering or distress that is intended to promote significant changes in the client's cognitive, emotional or behavioural functioning, interpersonal system, personality or state of health. This treatment goes beyond help in coping with current difficulties or a counselling or support report.”

Go to this page to verify a professional's good standing.

Interventions other than psychotherapy

There are some interventions that, although similar, do not constitute psychotherapy. This is why the Regulation respecting the psychotherapist’s permit lists and defines some of these interventions.

• The aim of the support meeting is to support the person through meetings, which can be regular or ad hoc, enabling the person to express his or her difficulties. In this context, the professional or support worker can offer advice or make recommendations.
   
• Support intervention aims to maintain and consolidate the person's achievements and coping strategies by targeting strengths and resources through regular or ad hoc meetings or activities. This intervention involves reassurance, advice and information related to the person's condition or situation.
   
• Marital and family intervention aims to promote and support the optimal functioning of the couple or family, often involving all its members. Its aim is to change elements of marital or family functioning that stand in the way of the couple's or family members' development and growth or to offer help and advice in coping with everyday difficulties.
   
• Psychological education aims to foster learning by informing and educating the individual. It can be used at all stages of the care and service process. It involves the teaching of specific knowledge and skills designed to maintain and improve a person's autonomy or health and to prevent the onset of health or social problems, including mental disorders or deterioration in mental state. Instruction may cover, for example, the nature of physical or mental illness, its manifestations and treatments, including the role the individual can play in maintaining or restoring his or her health, as well as stress management, relaxation and assertiveness techniques.
   
• Rehabilitation aims to help people cope with the symptoms of an illness or improve their skills. For example, it is used with people experiencing significant mental health problems to enable them to achieve an optimum degree of autonomy on the path to recovery. It can be part of an assistance or support program, and can include, for example, the management of hallucinations and training in day-to-day life and social skills.
   
• Clinical follow-up consists of meetings to update a disciplinary intervention plan. It is for people presenting behavioural disturbances or any other problem leading to psychological suffering or distress, or health problems including mental disorders. It may involve the contribution of different professionals or caregivers working in interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary teams. This follow-up may be part of an intervention plan within the meaning of the Act respecting health services and social services (R.S.Q., c. S-4.2) or the Education Act (R.S.Q., c. I-13.3), may take the form of support meetings or interventions, and may also involve rehabilitation or psychological education. It may also involve adjusting pharmacotherapy.
   
• Coaching aims to actualize the potential, through the development of talents, resources or skills, of a person who is neither in distress nor suffering but who expresses a need for personal or professional fulfillment.
   
• Crisis intervention is an immediate, brief and directive intervention that varies with the type of crisis and the characteristics of the person and those around him or her. Its aim is to stabilize the state of the person or their environment in relation to the crisis. This type of intervention may involve exploring the situation and assessing possible consequences (e.g. potential for dangerousness, suicidal risk or risk of decompensation), defusing the situation, providing support, teaching coping strategies to deal with the situation, and referring the person to the most appropriate services or care.