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When hair stylists get more training than Psychologists: A wake-up call for Ontario

The province’s regulator, the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario (CPBAO) is proposing sweeping changes to the way psychologists or psychological associates are educated and trained.

The proposed changes would slash training by up to 75 per cent, which will mean health care professionals will have less practical experience than hairstylists. In fact, the CPBAO is considering eliminating oral exams altogether and proposes replacing them with a single written test. All of this is being done under the guise of increasing the number of psychologists in Ontario.

The College has quietly released these and other troubling recommendations for public consultation until December 9. Following this brief online-only consultation period, the College plans to submit its final recommendations to the Ford Government.

And yet the Ontario Psychological Association (OPA), the only provincial association representing psychology in Ontario, was never even consulted in this process.

The Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) has joined us in condemning the lowered requirements as dangerous for the public, mental health patients and, as a result, creating higher costs to the public health, education and legal systems.

From children to older adults, registered psychologists and psychological associates assess, diagnose, and treat people who come to them for help. It is complex and important work, which is why Ontario has some of the highest standards in Canada for registration as a psychologist.

When people are misdiagnosed or treated for the wrong reasons, the result is often prolonged distress, ineffective and expensive care, and, in some cases, errors in legal decisions. Psychologists also play a central role in high-stakes forensic assessments, such as determining an individual’s risk of re-offending, which influences sentencing and release. When these evaluations are conducted by professionals without the necessary training, judges may be asked to make decisions based on weaker evidence. That raises the risk of releasing individuals who may pose a danger to the public or, conversely, restricting the liberty of those who present little risk to anyone’s safety.

The stakes are high.

The OPA, together with the CPA, has better solutions that would increase access to psychological care while maintaining Ontario’s status as a leader among provinces in professional standards. These include:

●      Expanding PsyD (Doctor of Psychology) programs in Ontario to grow the workforce while maintaining rigorous standards.
●      Creating bursaries and retention incentives for psychologists who are working in schools and children’s treatment centres.
●      Developing ‘fast track’ bridging programs for internationally trained psychologists, especially those from places like the U.S.

Trying to increase the supply of psychologists and psychological associates by throwing open the doors to less qualified practitioners from other provinces is not a patient-first solution. It is a lowest-common-denominator approach that compromises the safety of patients and the public across Canada.

Instead, let’s establish a “qualifying” status for those who pass the College’s required exams but are still building the experience to become a fully qualified, registered psychologist or psychological associate. That will create more opportunities for psychologists wanting to practice in Ontario to gain greater experience under the mentorship of a fully qualified, supervising professional.

A balanced approach can improve access to high-quality psychological care while also creating a more diverse and representative profession. We will reflect the diversity of the people we serve across culture, language, geography, and lived experience, and patients are more likely to feel understood, respected, and supported in our care.

Have Your Say:

Contact your local MPP:

Let your representative know that lowering shouldn’t lower standards for psychologists and psychologist associates shouldn’t be a race to the bottom. Public safety and patient health come first. Find your local MPP’s contact information here:

MPP contact information | Legislative Assembly of Ontario

Contact Minister of Health Sylvia Jones:

[email protected]

Additional Partner Link:

Home | Psychology Advocacy Network

Additional Media Links:

https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-39-metro-morning/clip/16172599-it-soon-easier-become-psychologist-psychologists-worry-risk

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/investing/markets/markets-news/GlobeNewswire/35165117/opa-compromising-safety-in-the-name-of-access/

https://www.pressreader.com/canada/the-standard-st-catharines/20251120/281569477012563

https://www.iheart.com/podcast/962-the-deb-hutton-show-97021550/episode/ttc-proposing-fare-freeze-for-2026-309674868/