Registered psychologists are regulated healthcare providers who have specialized knowledge in:
- How we feel, think, and behave;
- How problems can develop in these areas of functioning; and
- How to facilitate change in order to help reduce distress, resolve problems, and improve overall psychological health and well-being.
Training and experience in the integration of research with clinical practice enables psychologists to choose up-to-date, effective, and ethical psychotherapy approaches to help meet the unique needs of each client.
Doctoral-level psychologists have the most extensive education and formal training requirements of any healthcare provider in the field of mental health. Becoming a psychologist requires an undergraduate degree in psychology and a minimum of six years of graduate training to earn a doctorate degree in psychology. During this time, psychologists complete thousands of hours of formal clinical training in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of a wide range of difficulties related to mental health as well as conducting research. In addition to formal, supervised practica, a full year clinical internship must also be completed prior to receiving their Ph.D. Psychologists are then required to complete another postdoctoral year of supervised practice and pass several examinations in order to demonstrate that they meet the standards of practice set by the College of Psychologists of Ontario. The College is a regulatory body which functions to protect the public by assuring that psychologists are accountable and maintain the highest standards of professional practice and conduct.