At this time in Quebec, the practice of psychotherapy is not regulated; anyone can call himself or herself a psychotherapist. Bill 21, a bill passed by the National Assembly of Quebec in 2009, aims to rectify this situation by reserving the practice of psychotherapy to licensed professionals. Theses professionals will have to obtain a permit in order to practice psychotherapy.

In the meantime, it will be important to choose the right person to begin a course of psychotherapy with. Psychologists and physicians can practise psychotherapy; current university programs for these professionals provide them with the necessary training, and their professional orders' codes of ethics and monitoring programs ensure the quality of their practice. Once Bill 21 comes into force, the members of the following professional orders, provided they have a master's degree in the field of mental health and human relations and have mastered the necessary knowledge and competencies, will be allowed to obtain a psychotherapy permit:

1) Ordre des conseillers et conseillères d’orientation

2) Ordre des psychoéducateurs et psychoéducatrices;

3) Ordre professionnel des travailleurs sociaux, incluant les thérapeutes conjugaux et familiaux;

4) Ordre des ergothérapeutes;

5) Ordres des infirmières et des infirmiers.

For those who are not members of a professional order, they will be able to obtain a permit, subject to strict criteria and for a limited time. For more information, consult the section on Bill 21.

Above all, when you are considering consulting a professional, you should not hesitate to ask questions about his or her training and experience.