A person who calls themselves a psychotherapist in Ontario must be registered by the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. These individuals must meet certain stringent requirements in education and practice experience. Psychotherapists cannot prescribe medication and their services are not covered by OHIP but operate under a “fee for services” concept. Many extended health insurance plans cover psychotherapists, but many do not. If you are relying on insurance reimbursement you must check carefully with your provider to be sure a psychotherapist’s services are covered. Psychotherapists are not allowed to formally diagnose mental illness, although they are expected to be able to treat most psychological issues. Most psychotherapists are trained to be able to identify issues they are expected to treat.

A psychologist in Ontario must be registered with the College of Psychologists of Ontario. They too must meet stringent requirements including a doctorate in psychology. Psychologists’ fees are also not covered by OHIP and they also cannot prescribe medication, they can, however, make formal diagnoses.

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor and is covered by OHIP. Psychiatrists can, and do, prescribe medication as well as make formal medical and psychological diagnoses.

Psychotherapists and psychologists practice in very much the same manner usually engaging in “talk-therapy” with their patients, although clinical psychologists are allowed to diagnose and make formal mental health assessments and evaluations. Sometimes psychotherapist will work with a psychologist as supervisor and some insurance companies who do not cover the services of a psychotherapist, but will cover the services of a psychologist, will cover the psychotherapist if they are under the supervision of a psychologist (I often work with patients under this arrangement.)

Psychiatrists typically do not do “talk-therapy” (although some do, and are qualified to if they choose to) but rather meet with a patient and after an initial consult and other assessments will prescribe medication to deal with their patient’s issues. If all you want is medication, then either go to your family doctor (who can also diagnose and prescribe)  or get an appointment with a psychiatrist as they are the only mental health practitioners who can prescribe medication.