by jennbossio | Sep 27, 2025 | Advocacy
Reflection from a Day With Peers
Yesterday I was fortunate to attend the SSTAR Clinical Case Conference, where I found myself surrounded by a table of peers; clinical and health psychologists registered in both Ontario and British Columbia. Some trained in Ontario, while others (myself included) began their careers elsewhere and later transferred their registration.
I was first registered in British Columbia before returning home to Ontario. That transfer was not simple, and it gave me direct insight into the barriers our College has historically put up for clinicians trying to move their registration across provinces. I have supervised colleagues with excellent training who were fully registered in the U.S., only to be told by the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario (CPBAO) that they could not practice here without completing yet another year of supervised practice. These are highly qualified psychologists who had already passed rigorous exams and worked independently elsewhere. It was demoralizing for them, and, frankly, a loss for Ontarians who could have benefited from their expertise.
I have also seen the College reject highly skilled Master’s-level clinicians from becoming registered as psychological associates, despite their proven competence and years of supervised work. One of those clinicians is among the strongest I have ever worked with—thankfully she remains on my team—but the message from the College was clear: access blocked.
So when the Office of the Fairness Commissioner (OFC) criticized the CPBAO three separate times for its restrictive registration processes, I wasn’t entirely surprised. The OFC’s concern was straightforward: psychologists moving between provinces should be able to transfer their licenses more smoothly. After the third poor rating, the OFC stepped in to force change.
Up to that point, the story made sense. Ontario does need more mobility between provinces. If I couldn’t transfer my registration home from BC, I would have been furious too.
But what happened next is where things went badly wrong.
The CPBAO’s Radical Proposal
In response to the OFC’s demands, the CPBAO introduced sweeping reforms, far beyond what was necessary to address mobility concerns. Instead of targeted solutions, they proposed a wholesale lowering of standards for becoming a psychologist in Ontario.
Recent and proposed changes include:
- Eliminating the doctoral requirement for psychologists.
- Removing the four-year supervised work requirement for psychological associates after a Master’s degree.
- Broadening accreditation beyond CPA-approved programs to include U.S. and international accrediting bodies.
- Reducing supervised clinical training from approximately 6,000 hours (multiple practica, a year-long residency/internship, plus a year of supervised practice) to potentially a single practicum placement.
- Replacing the ethics exam with a no-fail online module.
- Allowing unlimited attempts at licensing exams.
- Eliminating the oral examination entirely.
To put this in perspective: under the current system, Ontario psychologists spend about six years in closely supervised training beyond their graduate coursework. Under the new rules, that could shrink to just two years. That is less supervised training than many non-diagnosing mental health professions require, despite psychologists holding the unique authority to perform the controlled act of diagnosis.
Why Standards Matter
Ontario has long held rigorous standards that distinguish psychologists from other mental health providers. This is not about hierarchy or competition; it is about scope of practice and public protection.
- Controlled Act of Diagnosis: Psychologists are one of the few professions authorized by law to diagnose mental health conditions. This requires advanced training in psychometrics, assessment, and clinical decision-making. Master’s-level clinicians can and do provide excellent therapy, but they are not trained or authorized to independently perform complex diagnostic assessments.
- Supervision and Training: Psychologists are heavily involved in supervising Master’s-level clinicians, helping them work with clients facing trauma, severe mental illness, and complex presentations. Diluting the training pipeline risks creating a generation of underprepared practitioners without the foundation needed to do this work safely.
- Complexity of Presentations Post-COVID: The pandemic intensified the mental health crisis, increasing both demand and complexity. Diagnoses of ADHD, autism, PTSD, and comorbid conditions are rising. These require nuanced assessment and integrated care planning. Weakening training at this moment is a recipe for mistakes that could harm vulnerable people.
- Neuropsychology and Specialized Assessments: Some of the most complex cases—such as neuropsychological assessments—demand years of additional training. Collapsing competencies into a generalist model risks opening the door to misdiagnosis and poor recommendations. In this work, “you don’t know what you don’t know” can be dangerous.
This is not a debate of PhD versus Master’s-level clinicians. I work closely with many Master’s-level colleagues who are brilliant and effective. But they excel because they have received extensive supervised training. Stripping away those requirements will not create more excellent clinicians; it will create more risk.
The Real Issue: Access and Funding
At the recent CPBAO council meeting (which you can watch in full here), several members of the public voiced frustration that Ontarians cannot access psychologists. They are right. Waitlists are long, and many people cannot afford private care. But the proposed solution—lowering training standards—is misguided.
Here is the real problem:
- Funding: Many psychologists leave the public sector because salaries in hospitals, schools, and community agencies do not reflect their training, expertise, or the cost of living. As a result, they move into private practice, where fees are out of reach for many individuals and families.
- Coverage: Social workers, psychotherapists, and counsellors already provide excellent therapy across Ontario. The real bottleneck is diagnostic assessments, which only psychologists can do. Diluting training will not fix this bottleneck, it will only reduce quality.
- Public Perception: Some argue “worse care is better than no care.” This is both ludicrous and plain false. Misdiagnosis can have serious consequences: the wrong medications, lost access to school or workplace accommodations, and years of delayed treatment.
If Ontario wants more accessible psychologists, the solution is to increase funding for publicly funded positions and expand OHIP coverage, not to lower the bar for entry.
Imagine This in Medicine
Consider the analogy: Ontario faces a shortage of family doctors. Imagine if the government told the College of Physicians and Surgeons that the solution was to graduate doctors after only two years of training instead of seven. The public would be outraged, and rightly so!
Why should it be different in psychology, where the stakes are also people’s health and safety?
What Comes Next
The government is moving quickly. The Ministry of Health has made it clear that there will be no pause in rolling out the new legislation. The CPBAO council has already voted, and we are now in a 60-day consultation period. This means we have a short window to make our voices heard.
Here’s what you can do:
- Sign and Share the Petition Our petition has already gathered over 2,600 signatures, and it is growing quickly. Yes, it was drafted before the final vote, so the language is a little broad—but it captures the core concern: lowering standards risks public safety. Instead of splintering efforts, we need to double down. Please sign and share widely. 👉 Sign the petition here
- Contact Your MPP Every Ontarian has a Member of Provincial Parliament who needs to hear from you. Use this tool to find your representative and send a message: 👉 Find your MPP Key points to include:
- You support labour mobility and fairness in licensing.
- You oppose lowering standards for psychologists, especially around supervised training and examinations.
- The real solution is funding more positions in the public system and expanding OHIP coverage.
- Stay Engaged in Advocacy The Ontario Psychological Association and grassroots groups of psychologists are mobilizing. We are organizing meetings, media campaigns, and advocacy with government. Stay tuned for updates and coordinated actions.
Final Thoughts
As psychologists, we care deeply about access to mental health services. We want fairness for colleagues moving across provinces. We want diversity and equity in the profession. But none of that requires lowering training standards to the point of risking public safety.
Ontario has long been a leader in psychological training and regulation. The public deserves to know that when they see a psychologist, that person has undergone years of rigorous, supervised, evidence-based preparation. Diluting that standard would harm not only our profession, but the vulnerable Ontarians who rely on us.
Now is the time to act. Let’s rally together—colleagues, clients, and citizens—to ensure Ontario expands access to care without sacrificing excellence, integrity, and safety.
Dr. Jenn Bossio is a Clinical and Health Psychologist, the founder and director of the Tri Health Clinic—Ontario’s largest sex and couples therapy practice—and a passionate advocate for system-level change in mental health care. Based in Kingston, she was named Business Person of the Year (2025) and recognized as one of the Top 40 Under 40 (2024). Jenn is committed to redefining the role of psychologists in a rapidly evolving health care landscape.
by jennbossio | Jul 31, 2025 | Advocacy, Training
Don’t Know What to Say to Your MPP? Here, I Did It for You.
Ontario is considering significant changes proposed by the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario (CPBAO). These include removing the doctoral standard for psychologists and eliminating the four-year supervised practice for psychological associates—changes driven by pressure from the Office of the Fairness Commissioner amid concerns about interprovincial mobility and access equality .
These changes risk diluting the meaning of the psychologist designation in Ontario.
Here’s the letter I just sent to my local Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP). Feel free to use, adapt, or base your own correspondence on this template:
Dear Ted,
I’m writing as a registered clinical psychologist and the director of a group mental health clinic in Kingston to express serious concern about a proposal recently passed by the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario (CPBAO). The proposal recommends significant changes to registration requirements for psychologists and psychological associates; potentially including the removal of the doctoral standard for psychologists and the elimination of the 4-year supervised practice period for psychological associates. These changes appear to be in response to pressure from the Office of the Fairness Commissioner to improve access and interprovincial mobility.
While I fully support improving diversity and fairness in our profession, I strongly oppose lowering the bar for entry. Ontario already has a saturated workforce of mental health providers—including psychotherapists, social workers, and nurse psychotherapists—who are meeting the system’s volume demands (in fact, the market is quite saturated). However, their training is only 2 years Master’s degree, and thus they are unable to provide the controlled act of diagnosis, and their training does not equip them for complex treatment planning or effective clinical supervision.
Psychologists are uniquely qualified to fill that critical gap. We are among the few professionals trained in evidence-based diagnosis and assessment, and we provide essential oversight and supervision to others in the field. Reducing our training standards not only undermines public safety, it moves us further away from the solutions we actually need.
If anything, Ontario should be expanding psychologists’ scope of practice, including advancing prescribing rights and formalizing our role as supervisors within the broader mental health system. These are the kinds of structural changes that would meaningfully address the psychiatric bottleneck and help us manage the province’s worsening mental health crisis.
I urge you to speak out against these proposed regulatory changes and advocate for reforms that strengthen—not dilute—the role of psychologists in Ontario’s healthcare system.
I so appreciate your time and the work that you do.
Sincerely,
Dr. Jenn Bossio
✒️ Sign The Petition: click here
ℹ️ What Else You Can Do
- Copy, adapt, or personalize this letter to send to your own MPP
- View the petition opposing these changes. At the time of writing this, there are exactly 999 signatures… and growing rapidly
- Share the petition widely! Psycholgists, Trainees, Mental Health Care Providers, the media, etc!
- Read more context and arguments in these blog posts:
- If you haven’t already, contact:
The Goal
Keep the discussion focused not on gatekeeping but on preserving the professional capabilities that psychologists bring to Ontario’s mental health system. That includes moving in the direction of advanced diagnostics, assessment, clinical leadership, and maybe even prescription authority.
It’s critical we act now—both in writing our MPPs and spreading the word, because the petition is already hitting momentum. If we don’t clarify what psychologists uniquely do, we risk losing that identity altogether.
Dr. Jenn Bossio is a Clinical and Health Psychologist, the founder and director of the Tri Health Clinic—Ontario’s largest sex and couples therapy practice—and a passionate advocate for system-level change in mental health care. Based in Kingston, she was named Business Person of the Year (2025) and recognized as one of the Top 40 Under 40 (2024). Jenn is committed to redefining the role of psychologists in a rapidly evolving health care landscape.
by jennbossio | Jul 10, 2025 | Advocacy, Therapy, Training
If you’ve been following my recent posts, you know I’ve been sounding the alarm about something that’s hard to ignore: clinical psychology is at a critical juncture. The market is saturated. Therapy is in demand, and everyone wants to do it. That should be a good thing, right? But here’s the problem: when it comes to what we actually do as psychologists, there’s very little that differentiates us in the public eye from social workers, psychotherapists, or counsellors, despite our years of training, research expertise, and clinical skill.
And that’s not just a branding issue. It’s a professional identity crisis.
Most clinical psychologists in Ontario work in private practice, doing one-on-one therapy. But when our day-to-day looks identical to the work done by those with far less training, how can we justify the length, cost, and intensity of our education? And more importantly, how can we ensure that the field of psychology survives and thrives in a crowded, competitive landscape?
It’s time we stop underplaying what we’re capable of.
What Makes Psychologists Different From Other Therapists?
Here’s the thing we forget: we’re not just therapists. We’re diagnosticians. We’re researchers. We’re scientists. We’re case conceptualization machines.
We are trained to understand not just what a client presents with, but why and how that should inform the course of treatment. We’re taught to read research critically (not just quote it from a slide deck) and to integrate complex evidence bases into our clinical work. That is not a universal skill across the mental health professions.
And yet, as a field, we’ve let that go quiet. We’re not stepping into positions of influence, consultation, or thought leadership in the way we could be. And we’re losing ground to professions that are simply better at marketing, regardless of whether their approach is scientifically sound.
Need an example? Let’s talk about EMDR…
EMDR is treatment that’s exploded in popularity, largely because it’s easy to market and sounds revolutionary. But when you actually dig into the research (which, again, most psychologists are trained to do), the evidence tells a different story. Multiple meta-analyses have shown that EMDR is no more effective than other established treatments for PTSD, like Cognitive Processing Therapy or Prolonged Exposure. The “bilateral stimulation” component, often touted as the secret sauce, doesn’t appear to add any benefit beyond what you’d get from exposure-based therapy alone. And yet, EMDR is everywhere. Precisely because many clinicians and clients don’t have the research literacy to question its claims. This is where psychologists should shine: translating science into practice, and helping the public—and our colleagues—separate evidence from hype.
Why Prescription Rights Matter
Here’s where I see a path forward: clinical psychologists should be able to prescribe.
Psychiatrists are overburdened and hard to access. Family doctors are often uncomfortable with psychopharmacology and are flying blind when it comes to complex mental health cases (and that doesn’t even touch on the complete lack of time that GPs have to deal with it properly in their practice). Meanwhile, psychologists—the very professionals most skilled in diagnosis, assessment, and and case formulation—are sidelined when it comes to medication.
We could be the bridge. We should be the bridge.
Imagine a model where psychologists are trained in psychopharmacology through a postdoctoral master’s program (as is already the case in some U.S. states). We’d be uniquely positioned to prescribe with a level of diagnostic clarity and caution that many prescribing professionals simply don’t have time for. Our deep understanding of evidence-based psychological treatment would allow for a nuanced, integrated approach; one that prioritizes both medication and therapy, not one over the other.
And for those who think psychologists would never go for more schooling… have you met a psychologist? We’re exceptional students. We love learning. Many of us would leap at the opportunity to return to school for something that actually excites us and helps us better serve our clients. In fact, I’d argue a lot of us are bored in private practice, precisely because we’re underutilizing the full scope of our training.
How To Get Prescription Rights as a Psychologist?
So what would it actually take for psychologists to gain prescriptive authority in Ontario? In short: legislative change, regulatory oversight, and the development of standardized training pathways; likely in the form of a postdoctoral master’s degree in psychopharmacology, as has been done in several U.S. states. And this kind of professional expansion isn’t unprecedented! We would not the the first!
Optometrists, for example, fought for and won the right to prescribe medications related to eye care, dramatically expanding their role in patient treatment. More recently, pharmacists have gained prescribing privileges in many provinces, especially for minor ailments and chronic conditions, recognizing that their expertise in medication can meaningfully improve access to care.
Psychology is arguably even better positioned for this kind of evolution, given our diagnostic scope, depth of training, and understanding of both the biological and psychological underpinnings of mental illness. The infrastructure isn’t impossible. it just requires the will to build it.
The Field Is Shrinking (and We’re Letting It Happen)
Psychologists are being outpaced in every direction. Social workers are doing therapy. Psychotherapists are doing therapy. Even occupational therapists are doing therapy. And many of them are excellent at it! Our silence around what we could offer on top of one-on-one therapy is costing us our place in the mental health ecosystem.
This isn’t just about professional identity or job protection. It’s about stepping up during a mental health crisis that’s overwhelming our systems and leaving too many people behind. Psychologists are uniquely trained to assess, diagnose, conceptualize, and treat complex mental health conditions, and yet we’re not using those skills to their full potential. Why? Because we’ve been boxed into doing the same therapy as everyone else—just with more debt and more years of school behind us.
Meanwhile, the public is desperate for better care. Waitlists for psychiatrists stretch months (sometimes years). Family doctors are expected to manage mental health with 10-minute check-ins and minimal training. And evidence-based treatments often get lost in the noise of trendy modalities and slick marketing.
This is where we come in. We have a responsibility—not just to ourselves, but to the public—to do more. To speak up. To lead. To integrate what we know into systems that desperately need it. Expanding our scope isn’t about professional ego. It’s about public health.
If we want to protect the future of our profession, we need to act now.
We need to differentiate ourselves, not just in rhetoric, but in scope.
We need to fight for prescriptive authority; not to become mini-psychiatrists, but to offer something better: a hybrid, science-informed, psychologically grounded model of care.
Where Do We Start?
I know there are barriers. Regulatory hurdles. Funding questions. Training logistics. But the first step is raising our voices.
Let this be a rallying cry: to the Ontario Psychological Association, to our peers, to the students we’re training—our profession has more to offer than we’re currently allowed to give. Let’s fix that.
Let’s stop disappearing into the crowd. Let’s lead.
If you’re a fellow psychologist who feels this too—reach out. Let’s collaborate, consult, or just brainstorm how we can move this profession forward together.
Dr. Jenn Bossio is a Clinical and Health Psychologist, the founder and director of the Tri Health Clinic—Ontario’s largest sex and couples therapy practice—and a passionate advocate for system-level change in mental health care. Based in Kingston, she was named Business Person of the Year (2025) and recognized as one of the Top 40 Under 40 (2024). Jenn is committed to redefining the role of psychologists in a rapidly evolving health care landscape.
Read my recent blog posts:
by jennbossio | Jul 7, 2025 | Advocacy, Therapy, Training
As a clinical psychologist, clinic director, and lifelong advocate for evidence-based care, I want to sound the alarm on a concerning development in our profession. The Ontario Psychological Association (OPA) recently sent out a message to its members about proposed changes by our regulatory college that could profoundly reshape what it means to be a psychologist in this province.
Below is the full message from the OPA Board of Directors:
IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO MEMBERS FROM THE OPA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
We are writing to inform members about a proposal we recently became aware of under consideration by the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario (CPBAO). This proposal, which was brought to our attention in May, has reportedly been passed by the CBPAO council and recommends a revision of the educational and training standards required for registration as psychologists and psychological associates in Ontario.
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By way of background, the Office of the Fairness Commissioner (OFC), which oversees registration practices for regulated professions in Ontario, rated the CPBAO as ‘medium to high risk’ in its 2022 and 2024 assessments. The most recent report cited concerns related to frequent appeals to the Health Professions Appeal and Review Board (HPARB), labour market shortages, and the under-representation of racialized individuals among PhD registrants. Recommendations included more flexible pathways for internationally trained psychologists and regular review of HPARB outcomes.
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We understand that the CPBAO proposal outlines several potential changes aimed at addressing the concerns raised by the Office of the Fairness Commissioner (OFC), which may include:
- Changes to program accreditation standards,
- The removal of the doctoral standard for psychology,
- The removal of the 4-year period of supervision required for registration among psychological associates.
We acknowledge the OFC’s concerns and understand the government’s emphasis on improving interprovincial mobility. Differences in registration requirements across provinces, coupled with Canada’s Free Trade Agreement, have created challenges including a rise in professionals with varied titles, training, and qualifications. This variation has led to public confusion and underscores the need for greater consistency and alignment across the profession.
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The OPA is committed to discussing the identified issues with key stakeholders to further understand and advance appropriate alternatives. We recognize the need to expand the psychological workforce and address the Fairness Commissioner’s concerns, however we believe there are more thoughtful and effective ways to do so, without increasing confusion or compromising the safety of psychological services to Ontario residents. We are also committed to fair and inclusive access to psychology training and are proud of the progress underway. We believe there is a path forward for retaining standards, addressing OFC’s concerns and maintaining the integrity of the profession.
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Simply revising or removing standards will not appropriately address challenges related to diversity, access, or the costs associated with mental health care; rather, it risks eliminating safeguards that protect Ontarians, while significantly eroding our professional reputation as experts in the field of mental health assessment and treatment. Like physicians and nurse practitioners, psychologists and psychological associates hold the protected act of diagnosis and require training that reflects this responsibility.
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Since becoming aware of this proposal, we have been actively engaged in clarifying the facts, conducting outreach with key stakeholders, and developing materials to support the maintenance of the current appropriate registration standards. We are pleased to share that our advocacy efforts have facilitated meaningful connections and dialogue with stakeholders similarly devoted to upholding the overarching registration standards for psychology in Ontario. At the same time, we recognize that continued vigilance and advocacy will be necessary. We remain committed to promoting adherence to best practices in training, education, and supervision to ensure that psychologists in Ontario continue to be recognized for their high standards of competence and professionalism. As discussions around mobility and regulatory modernization continue, it is essential that any changes occur in partnership with key stakeholders, including the OPA. We look forward to continuing this important work.
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Please be assured that we will continue to update the membership.
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The Ontario Psychological Association and the Board of Directors
This proposal passed by the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario (CPBAO) has sparked serious concern among Ontario psychologists. As outlined by the Ontario Psychological Association (OPA), the proposed changes could significantly lower the educational and training requirements for registration as a psychologist or psychological associate. These changes may include:
- Removing the doctoral degree requirement for psychologists;
- Eliminating the four-year supervision requirement for psychological associates;
- Altering accreditation standards for training programs.
These proposals appear to be a response to pressure from the Office of the Fairness Commissioner (OFC), which is advocating for increased access to the profession and improved interprovincial mobility. While access and fairness are essential goals, this approach is fundamentally flawed.
There Is No Shortage of Therapists
Let me be blunt: there is no shortage of therapists in Ontario. Since the creation of the College of Registered Psychotherapists in 2015, the mental health landscape has been flooded with competent, hardworking professionals, adding many psychotherapists to the existing field of social workers and nurse psychotherapists. These individuals provide the bulk of mental health services, and they are doing valuable, often life-changing work.
But here’s the reality: none of these professions are authorized to perform the controlled act of diagnosis. Nor do they receive the advanced, in-depth training required to manage complex clinical presentations, supervise other clinicians, or lead interdisciplinary treatment planning. That is the role of the psychologist.
If the goal is to allow easier movement across provinces or create faster pathways to practice, then aspiring professionals already have options. One can obtain a master’s degree and become a psychotherapist with far fewer barriers. The suggestion to dismantle the rigorous standards of psychology in the name of mobility is not only short-sighted—it’s dangerous.
Psychologists Are the Dentists of Mental Health
Think of it like this: in a dental office, you have dental assistants (technicians), dental hygienists (primary care providers), and dentists (diagnostic and treatment leaders). Dental hygienists provide most of the routine care, but it is the dentist who diagnoses, develops treatment plans, and supervises the entire process.
Psychologists play the same supervisory, diagnostic, and consultative role within the mental health system. Our training prepares us to assess the full clinical picture, understand differential diagnoses, supervise and support the work of others, and lead the system in evidence-based care.
To remove these responsibilities—or to water down the standards needed to attain them—is to risk collapsing this entire structure. We would no longer have a class of highly trained clinicians to lead the system forward. We would instead flatten the profession into a sea of generalists with minimal differentiation in training and expertise.
Prescription Rights: The Next Logical Step
Rather than weakening psychology’s entry requirements, we should be expanding our scope of practice to include prescription rights—a logical and evidence-based solution to our mental health crisis.
Research consistently shows that combined treatment using psychotherapy and medication is the most effective intervention for conditions such as depression and anxiety (e.g., Cuijpers et al., 2020; Thase, 2013). Psychologists are already experts in evidence-based psychotherapy. With additional training, they can—and should—become prescribers.
This model is already in place in several U.S. jurisdictions, including New Mexico, Louisiana, and the Department of Defense, where prescribing psychologists have been shown to provide safe, effective, and accessible care (DeNelsky & Garb, 2006).
Currently, however, medication for mental health conditions in Ontario is typically managed by:
- Family physicians, who may lack the time, training, or continuity of care to prescribe appropriately.
- Psychiatrists, who are in such short supply that waitlists can stretch for months or years. When accessed, these appointments often last just five to ten minutes.
In this climate, prescribing psychologists could dramatically improve access, continuity, and treatment quality—especially for patients with complex, treatment-resistant conditions. But this will never happen if we simultaneously reduce the educational requirements for entering the profession.
Granting prescribing rights demands high standards. It requires advanced diagnostic knowledge, pharmacological training, and strong clinical judgment. If we allow psychology to become a low-barrier profession, we are effectively disqualifying ourselves from the very future we should be moving toward.
What We Risk Losing
Lowering entry standards won’t make our system more equitable. It won’t address psychiatric shortages. It won’t improve patient care. Instead, it will:
- Undermine public trust in the title of “psychologist.”
- Confuse patients and referral sources.
- Reduce the profession’s ability to lead, supervise, and innovate.
- Widen the gap between our current scope and the future we should be fighting for.
Ontario needs more highly trained psychologists—not fewer. We need to invest in more doctoral-level training programs, create financial supports for students from underrepresented backgrounds, and expand the career opportunities of psychologists by evolving the scope of practice. That’s how we address workforce shortages without compromising care.
What I’m Doing—and What You Can Do
I’ve already written to my MPP to express my concerns. I urge all of my fellow psychologists, trainees, and clinic directors to do the same. Let your MPP know that these changes are a step in the wrong direction—and that Ontario deserves better.
In the meantime, I will continue to advocate for a system where psychologists are positioned as clinical leaders: experts in diagnosis, treatment, supervision, and—eventually—prescribing.
This is not the time to shrink our profession. This is the time to grow it into what Ontario’s mental health system truly needs.
References:
- Cuijpers, P., Karyotaki, E., Weitz, E., Andersson, G., Hollon, S. D., van Straten, A. (2020). The effects of psychotherapies for major depression in adults on remission, recovery and improvement: A meta-analysis. The Lancet Psychiatry, 7(6), 491–505.
- Thase, M. E. (2013). Combining psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy for depression: Psychodynamics, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and the sequence of treatment. Biological Psychiatry, 73(1), 47–53.
- DeNelsky, G. Y., & Garb, H. N. (2006). Prescription privileges for psychologists: A dangerous precedent. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 37(2), 219–227.
If you would like a template to email your MPP or help getting involved, don’t hesitate to reach out.
Dr. Jenn Bossio is a Clinical and Health Psychologist, the founder and director of the Tri Health Clinic—Ontario’s largest sex and couples therapy practice—and a passionate advocate for system-level change in mental health care. Based in Kingston, she was named Business Person of the Year (2025) and recognized as one of the Top 40 Under 40 (2024). Jenn is committed to redefining the role of psychologists in a rapidly evolving health care landscape.
Read my recent posts here:
