"The number of hours needed to start working as a psychologist seeing patients in Ontario could be slashed under proposed changes aimed at boosting the province's supply of the health professionals. The College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario (CPBAO), which regulates the professionals, says Ontario lags behind Alberta and Quebec in the availability of psychologists, leaving people to wait for care."
"Ontario has about 1,600 mental health and substance use providers per 100,000 residents, fewer than many other provinces. Ontario's auditor general found intensive treatment for children and youth who experience impaired functioning because of their mental health problems was 105 days in 2023/24, up from 94 days the year before. The need for specialized care comes as wait times for community mental health counselling can be longer for children and youth than adults."
Ontario regulators propose cutting required training hours, removing an oral exam and moving away from an ethics exam to increase the number of practicing psychologists. The College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario cites lower psychologist availability than Alberta and Quebec and long patient waits as drivers for change. Critics warn that reduced training could lead to misdiagnosis and higher risk for vulnerable patients, particularly children and youth. Data show about one in ten people waited four months or more for community mental health counselling from 2020 to 2024, and intensive treatment waits for youth rose to 105 days.
Read at www.cbc.ca
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