When should I make a complaint?

Psychologists are bound by a Code of Ethics that it is their duty to follow. The Code of Ethics is a set of rules designed to protect clients, to make sure services are provided in a professional manner, and to preserve psychologists’ credibility. As for psychotherapists, they are bound by the code of ethics of their own professional order. If they do not belong to a professional order, they must comply with the sections of the Psychologists’ Code of Ethics that deal with their practice.

If the behaviour of a psychologist makes you uncomfortable or seems unprofessional, do not hesitate to contact the Office of the Syndic or to request an inquiry.

To whom can I complain?

When the professional is a psychologist or is not a member of any professional order

Psychologists, and holders of a psychotherapist’s permit who are not eligible for membership in a professional order, are accountable to the Office of the Syndic of the Ordre des psychologues.

When the professional is a member of another professional order

If the professional you are consulting is a member of one of the following professional orders, even if he has a psychotherapist’s permit issued by the Ordre des psychologues, you must contact the Office of the Syndic of that professional order.

• Vocational guidance counsellors: Ordre des conseillers et conseillères d’orientation du Québec
• Criminologists: Ordre professionnel des criminologues du Québec
• Occupational therapists: Ordre des ergothérapeutes du Québec
• Nurses: Ordre des infirmières et des infirmiers du Québec
• Psychoeducators: Ordre des psychoéducateurs et des psychoéducatrices du Québec
• Sexologists: Ordre professionnel des sexologues du Québec
• Social workers and marriage and family therapists: Ordre des travailleurs sociaux et des thérapeutes conjugaux et familiaux du Québec

As part of the inquiry process, the professional order may call on a psychologist to provide expert advice.