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The field of practice of professional psychologists is currently defined as follows:
"[To] provide the public with professional services in which the principles and methods of scientific psychology are applied; in particular, advise and interview, use and interpret the standard tests of mental capacity, aptitude, and personality for psychological classification and valuation, and make use of psychological techniques for purposes of guidance, re-education, and rehabilitation."
Once Bill 21 comes into force, the profession's field of practice will be redefined as follows:
"[To] assess psychological and mental functioning, and determine, recommend and carry out interventions or treatments with a view to fostering the psychological health and restoring the mental health of a person in interaction with [his or her] environment.
The field of practice [...] includes disseminating information, promoting health and preventing suicide, illness, accidents and social problems among individuals and within families and communities."
Among the range of services offered by professionals in mental health and human relations, the particular role of the psychologist is to evaluate psychological and mental functioning and to intervene and offer treatment to promote psychological health and restore mental health. Psychologists evaluate psychological functioning, the special subject of the profession's study and work. They can also evaluate mental functioning in order to diagnose dysfunctions or disorders, such as mental retardation or mental illness.
The activities listed in the field of practice for psychologists make up the core of the profession. This definition describes, among others, the practice of a clinician who sees patients in a private office, in a health or social services institution, or in an educational institution.
However, it also describes the work that psychologists do with groups and organizations in schools and workplaces. In such cases, the portion of the field of practice that aims to promote the psychological health of people in their interactions with their surroundings applies equally well to the smooth functioning of groups and organizations.
Psychologists intervene to promote the psychological health of individuals, groups, and organizations. Their interventions promote better psychological health or aim to restore a state of psychological health.
They also intervene to restore mental health. When mental health has deteriorated, a new balance must be set up. To do this, psychologists have at their disposal a range of interventions and treatments that they can select, recommend, or apply.
In accordance with the Mental Health Action Plan, which calls for an environment of shared, collaborative caring, the modernization of the field of practice for psychologists aims to make the best possible use of psychologists' competencies within a team of mental health caregivers. The proposed definition highlights psychologists' ability to follow up on an evaluation of psychological and mental functioning by selecting, recommending, and providing diverse types of psychological treatment, particularly psychotherapy.
This makes the psychologist an essential professional resource in a first-line mental health team; psychologists can also provide specialized care as part of second- and third-line teams.
In the opinion of the Comité d’experts, the proposed definition for psychologists' field of practice will promote the appropriate use of their expertise under the new organization of services. The definition identifies the place of psychologists' care in the treatment of mental disorders, specifying that in the continuum of care, these professionals evaluate mental and psychological (not physical) functions and identify and treat mental disorders in accordance with their field of practice.
