I’ve been following the proposed changes to our College’s registration and training standards for several months now, and it’s been quite a ride… frustrating at times, yes, but also energizing and strangely beautiful.
As the director of a multidisciplinary clinic, I work closely with psychotherapists, social workers, nurses, and other mental health professionals every day. I know firsthand how much talent exists across the system. My own clinic doesn’t even differentiate between levels of training when it comes to the type of therapy we offer, because the work we do together is collaborative and client-centered.
I’ve also worked in hospital settings where I saw the very real consequences of misunderstanding what psychologists actually do. Working in a chronic pain clinic, I saw psychologists treated as interchangeable with other clinicians, despite my advocacy. The diagnostic work and nuanced conceptualization that should have been our contribution were sidelined, and patients lost out. That experience stuck with me, because it was such a clear example of what happens when well-meaning systems blur essential distinctions.
That’s part of why this moment in Ontario’s mental health care matters so much.
A Community That Refused to Stay Quiet
When I first learned of the College’s proposed changes, I felt blindsided by the secrecy, the speed, and the sheer magnitude of what was being proposed. I remember sitting there thinking, surely someone must be misunderstanding this.
But no.
So, I did what many of us did and I got involved.
Within days, I found myself collaborating with brilliant and kind people like Sachi Nagasawa and James Watson-Gaze, helping to coordinate a virtual meeting of nearly 600 psychologists and students across Ontario (!). What began as a single meeting turned into a full-scale movement. Working alongside so many accomplished, organized, and good-hearted colleagues was like drinking from a firehose at first… but in the best possible way. It was fast, intense, purpose-driven, and deeply human.
Since then, I’ve had to step back from the advocacy work for personal reasons. But I’ve been watching from the sidelines, and what I see fills me with pride. Psychologists supporting psychologists. People checking in on one another, hosting mindfulness sessions, making sure colleagues rest. The profession, in real time, living out the values we talk about in therapy rooms every day.
The Noise We Don’t Need
At some point along the way, the conversation online started veering into the “elitism” narrative, the tired idea that this is somehow about degrees or hierarchy.
I’m not going to spend much time on that. It’s a lazy take that misses the point entirely. Anyone pushing that line hasn’t actually engaged with what psychologists and psychological associates are saying, and frankly, it’s not worth correcting.
There’s a wealth of research on how expertise develops, on the differences between early technical competence and the kind of deep, integrative reasoning that only comes with extensive, supervised experience. If you’re curious, it’s all out there. But I have no interest in debating it.
Because the truth is, the people doing this advocacy aren’t fighting for status. They’re fighting for public safety. They’re fighting to make sure Ontarians receive care from professionals who are fully prepared for the complexity of human minds and lives.
And honestly, I think (hope) most people get that.
The Part That Really Matters
In all the chaos of meetings, letters, media coordination, and late-night document editing, what I’ve been most struck by is the character of the people in this profession. I’ve met colleagues I would never have crossed paths with otherwise — people who are smart, funny, kind, and astonishingly generous with their time. I’ve seen leadership that is both strategic and compassionate.
And even though I’ve had to step away, I feel nothing but confidence in the direction things are going. The Psychology Advocacy Network, the Ontario Psychological Association, and countless volunteers have shown what can happen when good people refuse to look away.
This week, the OPA recognized some of us with Certificates of Recognition for our advocacy efforts. That was a deeply meaningful gesture, but it doesn’t belong to any one of us. It belongs to every psychologist, psych associate, graduate student, and member of the public who sent an email, showed up to a meeting, wrote a media piece, or quietly supported a colleague.
Organizing an entire profession isn’t easy. It takes emotional labour, administrative skill, and a lot of caffeine. But somehow, people keep showing up.
Looking Ahead at Mental Health in Ontario
Whatever happens next, I feel proud. I’m proud of this profession and of the people who make it what it is. Psychologists and Psych Associates in Ontario are thoughtful, rigorous, and deeply caring. They balance science with humanity in a way that continually amazes me.
If this experience has taught me anything, it’s that the public — the people of Ontario — are in good hands.
A Final Word
As I step back for a few months to unplug and focus on other parts of my life, I’m leaving this conversation in your hands, and I do so with complete confidence.
If you’re reading this and you care about the future of mental health care in Ontario, now is the time to act.
The College’s consultation period closes December 9th, and every voice matters. Please take a few minutes to visit https://www.psychadvocacy.ca/ ,read about what’s happening, and vote NO to the proposed changes.
This isn’t just a professional issue, it’s about protecting safe, evidence-based psychological care for the people of Ontario. Whether you’re a clinician, a client, a teacher, parent, or simply someone who values good mental health care, your input makes a difference.
While I’ll be offline for a while, the movement continues. For media inquiries or updates related to the Psychology Advocacy efforts, please reach out to media.psychadvocacy@gmail.com.
And please stay involved! Keep showing up, keep sharing information, keep supporting one another. The momentum we’ve built together is extraordinary, and it’s how change happens.
Thank you, sincerely, for caring enough to be part of this.
— Jenn