If you've been thinking about reaching out for mental
health support but aren't sure who to call, you're not
alone. The difference between a psychotherapist, a psychologist, and a psychiatrist is genuinely
confusing, even for people who work in healthcare.
Here's a straightforward breakdown, specific to Ontario,
to help you figure out where to start.
Psychiatrist:
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who has completed
additional training in mental health. Because they are
physicians, psychiatrists are the only mental health
professionals who can prescribe medication. Family
doctors and nurse practitioners can also prescribe
psychiatric medications, but a psychiatrist specializes
in this area.
Psychiatrists in Ontario typically work in hospital
settings or specialized clinics. Access is usually
through a referral from your family doctor, and wait
times can be long. If you are wondering whether
medication might be part of your treatment, your family
doctor is usually the right first step, they can assess
you, prescribe if appropriate, and refer you to a
psychiatrist if needed.
Psychologist:
A psychologist in Ontario holds a doctoral level degree
and is regulated by the College of Psychologists of
Ontario. Psychologists are trained to conduct
psychological assessments and testing for things like
ADHD, learning disabilities, or autism, and can provide
diagnoses based on those assessments.
Psychologists can also provide therapy, though in
Ontario many psychologists focus primarily on assessment
rather than ongoing therapeutic work. They cannot
prescribe medication.
It is worth knowing that psychologists and
psychotherapists belong to completely separate
regulatory colleges in Ontario. A Registered
Psychotherapist is regulated by the College of
Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO), while
psychologists are regulated by the College of
Psychologists of Ontario.
Registered Psychotherapist:
A Registered Psychotherapist (RP) in Ontario is a
regulated mental health professional whose core work
is psychotherapy, the actual therapeutic process of
working through thoughts, emotions, patterns, and
challenges in a structured, supportive relationship.
Psychotherapists cannot diagnose mental health
conditions. We can review questionnaires and screening
tools with you, and develop a good clinical picture of
what you are experiencing, but a formal diagnosis is
outside our scope of practice. What we do instead is
work with you, wherever you are, to help you
understand yourself better, build skills, process
experiences, and create meaningful change.
To become a Registered Psychotherapist in Ontario,
practitioners complete graduate-level training in
counselling or psychotherapy and must meet the
standards of the CRPO. Many RPs, like myself, also
hold additional specialized training in areas like
eating disorders, child therapy, or specific treatment
approaches like CBT, DBT, or EFT.
Psychotherapy is for people who want to talk to
someone, work through something, and feel genuinely
supported in doing so. You do not need a diagnosis or
a referral to see a psychotherapist.
So Who Should I See?
Here is a simple way to think about it:
- If you think you might need medication, or want a
formal psychiatric diagnosis, start with your family
doctor. They can assess you, prescribe if appropriate,
and refer you onward.
- If you need psychological testing or a formal
assessment for ADHD, a learning disability, or autism, you are looking for a psychologist.
- If you want to talk to someone, work through anxiety,
depression, eating concerns, relationship difficulties,
big life changes, or anything else that is weighing on
you, a Registered Psychotherapist is likely the right
fit.
Still Not Sure?
That is completely okay. If you are not sure where to
start, you can always ask your family doctor, they
can help point you in the right direction based on what
you are experiencing.
You are also welcome to send me a quick email at
janelle@innerjourneypsychotherapy.ca. If I can help
you, I will. And if what you need is outside my scope,
I will do my best to point you toward the right
resource.
I offer psychotherapy in English and French, in person
in Ottawa and virtually across Ontario, for children
ages 7 and up, teens, and adults. If you'd like to
connect, I offer a free 15-minute consultation, no
pressure, no commitment.
Janelle Massicotte
Contact Me
