Therapists

Available therapists across Canada for First Responders and Public Safety personnel.
(If you are a therapist who would like to be listed, click on the "Therapists Page" link below)
Therapists by province / territory

Badge of Life Canada offers support to our Canadian Public Safety personnel and their families in their search for professional resources.  We believe strongly in the practice of Voluntary Mental Health Checks before having to address traumatic events in one’s life and strongly urge those who suffer of PTSI, to seek and maintain a professional relationship with a therapist for their own well-being.

On separate pages listed by province, you will find a list of trauma professionals, therapists and counsellors who have announced to Badge of Life Canada the availability of their services to assist those who connect with us. We do not endorse one professional over another, as it is always a matter of personal choice, so we will list as many trauma professionals,  therapists and counsellors as we can to help you choose the best professional to address your needs.  Individuals have a responsibility to investigate their own treatment or self-care strategies and the associated literature or research involving those treatments or self-care strategies.

Counseling and therapy

Trauma counseling or therapy can be done one-on-one or in a group, and can be very helpful for people with PTSD. Family counseling and individual treatment can help with relationship troubles.

Psychotherapy involves personal engagement in a process of exploration of various painful personal issues, emotional problems, physical symptoms and relationship dysfunction by means of verbal and non-verbal communication, rather than with the use of medications or physical interventions.
Psychotherapy may be performed by practitioners with a number of different qualifications, including psychologists, marriage and family therapists, licensed clinical social workers, counsellors, psychiatric nurses, and psychiatrists.

A psychologist is a type of clinician who has the skills and training necessary to assess, diagnose and treat mental health issues. Psychologists are registered, regulated, and licensed by the College of Psychologists of Ontario (CPO). Most typically, psychologists have a doctoral degree in psychology although, in recent years, some psychologists have also been licensed at the level of the masters degree. Regardless of their education, all psychologists must pass professional examinations, complete between one and five years of supervised practice, and agree to follow ethical codes and standards of practice.

When licensed, doctoral level psychologists have approximately 5000 hours of clinical training and specialization in assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of human emotion, thought, and behaviour. They do not prescribe medications. Rather, they usually treat mental health conditions through talking and behavioural therapies. They have advanced training in counselling, psychotherapy, psychological testing, and the science of behaviour change. Psychologists are the only professionals qualified to use certain kinds of tests to assess intelligence, emotional and behavioural problems, and neuropsychological dysfunction. Psychologist’s fees are covered by private payment, extended health benefit plans, employee assistance programs, and through government agencies and other special programs.

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who has developed a specialty in the assessment, treatment and care of mental illnesses and disorders. They provide direct care to patients and often act as consultants to other health professionals, like family doctors. Psychiatrists work in a range of settings, including general hospitals and specialized psychiatric facilities, private offices, research units, community health centres, social agencies and helping governments to set and evaluate policy.

Many psychiatrists use a mix of tools to treat their patients, including medications and psychotherapy. The specific mix will depend on both the severity of the patient’s condition and the practitioner’s preference. Some psychiatrists like to provide both the medication and psychotherapy services to their patients, while others prefer to manage only the medications and leave the talk or behavioural therapy to other providers. As medical doctors, psychiatrists take a patient’s physical health, family history and current lifestyle factors into account when drawing conclusions and offering treatment recommendations.

A registered psychotherapist is another type of mental health professional who also has the training and experience to treat mental health issues and promote well-being. In the Province of Ontario only members of College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) may call themselves “Psychotherapists”, “Registered Psychotherapists”, or “RPs”. Members of this college who are working towards gaining their full license to practice use the designation “Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)” during that period. Registered psychotherapists usually hold a Master’s degree in psychology, counselling, or some other, relevant field.

Unlike psychologists, registered psychotherapists are not allowed to diagnose clinical conditions, but when it comes to providing treatment, the roles of psychologists and psychotherapists overlap greatly. Registered psychotherapists can also work in a wide variety of healthcare settings and must adhere to the ethical standards and guidelines of the CRPO. Some extended health benefits packages will cover the costs of sessions with a registered psychotherapist, while others will not. For that reason, it is best to check with your insurer to determine whether RP services are covered.

Occupational therapy (OT) is a regulated health profession that helps people develop the skills needed for day-to-day activities when these abilities are reduced or lost because of injury, illness, chronic disease, mental health issues, developmental delays, learning problems, the impacts of getting older or other health factors. OTs with specific training are equipped to deliver psychotherapy and other cognitive behavioural treatments to help their clients cope, become more resilient, and to increase participation in meaningful activities. Specifically, in the area of traumatic mental stress, OTs support clients with exposure therapy and in-vivo sessions in the community and workplace.

Social workers have specific education such as bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or PhD levels. Based on their level of degree, they qualified to deliver a range of services including assessment, counselling, psychotherapy, and referrals. Social workers look at all aspects of a person’s life (personal, family, work or school, and community) when assisting them, which can be especially helpful in complicated situations. Social workers believe pare resourceful, resilient and able.

Certifications

A short description of the various therapist certifications in Ontario.

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Clinical Psychologists

Clinical Psychologists are required to complete a related Masters and Ph.D. program to practice in the province of Ontario that must be research-based and subsequently have a thesis component. They are governed by the College of Psychologists of Ontario (CPO).

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Registered Psychotherapists

Registered Psychotherapists (RPs) are registered by the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) and, like Registered Social Workers and Clinical Psychologists, are permitted to perform the controlled act of psychotherapy.

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Registered Social Workers

Registered Social Workers (RSW) are helping individuals to enhance their well-being. They are governed by the Ontario College of Social Workers.