Psychologist vs Psychotherapist in Canada

If you’re ready to start therapy, one of the first questions is who to see. Search “therapist near me” and you’ll find psychologists, registered psychotherapists, social workers and counsellors, often charging different fees for what looks like the same thing. The good news is that for everyday talk therapy, the differences matter less than most people think. For some needs, though, they matter a lot.

This guide explains the difference between a psychologist and a psychotherapist in Canada, with the rules for Ontario, BC and Quebec: training, what each can and can’t do, what they cost, and how to choose. At Field Trip, we have both: psychologists in Quebec, and registered psychotherapists, social workers and clinical counsellors across all three provinces.

In this guide:

• Psychologist vs psychotherapist at a glance
• What is a psychotherapist?
• What is a psychologist?
• The key differences
• Other titles you might see
• Cost and insurance
• Should you see a psychologist or a psychotherapist?
• Questions people ask

Psychologist vs psychotherapist at a glance

	Psychologist	Psychotherapist
Training	Doctorate in psychology (in Ontario, BC and Quebec)	Master’s-level program in psychotherapy or a related field, plus supervised practice
Talk therapy?	Yes	Yes, it’s their main focus
Can diagnose?	Yes	Not in Ontario; they assess, but can’t give a diagnosis
Psychological testing?	Yes, e.g. ADHD or learning disability assessments	Generally no
Can prescribe?	No	No
Referral needed?	No	No
Covered by OHIP, MSP or RAMQ?	Not in private practice	Not in private practice
Regulated in Ontario by	College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario	College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario

What is a psychotherapist?

A psychotherapist is a mental health professional trained to help people through talk therapy. The College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario describes the work as “the assessment and treatment of cognitive, emotional or behavioural disturbances by psychotherapeutic means.” In plain terms: helping you understand and change the thoughts, feelings and patterns that are getting in the way of your life.

What the title means depends on where you live.

Psychotherapists in Ontario

Ontario regulates psychotherapy more closely than any other province. The titles “Psychotherapist” and “Registered Psychotherapist” are protected, so only people registered with a college can use them.

• Training: a Registered Psychotherapist (RP) needs a master’s-level program central to the practice of psychotherapy. New RPs start as “RP (Qualifying)” and must complete 450 hours with clients and 100 hours of clinical supervision to become a full RP, with supervision continuing until they reach 1,000 client hours.
• Other professions can use the title too. Psychotherapy in Ontario is a controlled act that RPs, nurses, occupational therapists, physicians, psychologists and social workers can perform. Members of those colleges can also call themselves psychotherapists alongside their own title, for example “Registered Social Worker, Psychotherapist”.
• Diagnosis: RPs aren’t authorized to communicate a diagnosis or prescribe medication. They can assess what you’re going through and treat it, but a formal diagnosis has to come from a physician, nurse practitioner, psychologist or psychological associate.

Psychotherapists and counsellors in BC

BC doesn’t regulate psychotherapy by law yet. That changes soon: regulation of the profession starts on November 29, 2027, when the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC takes it on. Until then, most therapists are Registered Clinical Counsellors (RCCs) with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors, which represents more than 90% of the province’s clinical counsellors and psychotherapists. If you’re in BC, looking for the RCC designation is a good way to know a counsellor has met a recognized standard.

Psychotherapists in Quebec

In Quebec, psychotherapy is a reserved activity. According to the Ordre des psychologues du Québec, only psychologists, physicians and holders of a psychotherapist’s permit can practise it. To get a permit, a professional such as a nurse, social worker or guidance counsellor needs a master’s degree in mental health and human relations, 765 hours of university-level psychotherapy training and a 600-hour internship.

What is a psychologist?

A psychologist is a regulated professional with doctoral training in how people think, feel and behave. The Canadian Psychological Association describes them as trained “to assess and diagnose problems in thinking, feeling and behaviour,” and to help people manage those problems with psychotherapy.

• Training: in Ontario, BC and Quebec, you need a doctoral degree in psychology to use the title “psychologist”. In Ontario, psychological associates hold a master’s degree in psychology instead. In Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan, Alberta, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, a master’s degree is enough to register as a psychologist.
• Regulators: the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario; since 2024, the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC; and in Quebec, the Ordre des psychologues du Québec
• Diagnosis: in Ontario, communicating a psychological diagnosis is a controlled act restricted to qualified members of the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts. In Quebec, the Order lists diagnosing mental disorders as part of a psychologist’s work.
• Testing: psychologists are trained to use standardized psychological tests. In Ontario, a learning disability diagnosis has to come from a psychologist or psychological associate.

Psychologists do psychotherapy too. In fact, a lot of a clinical psychologist’s week is talk therapy, much like a psychotherapist’s. That’s why the two jobs can look so similar from the outside.

The key differences between a psychologist and a psychotherapist

1. Training

A psychologist’s doctorate usually takes 5 or more years after an undergraduate degree, including research, supervised clinical work and an internship. A psychotherapist’s master’s-level training is shorter and focuses almost entirely on therapy. More training doesn’t automatically mean better therapy, though. For talk therapy, experience with your particular concern, and how well you connect with the person, often matter more than the letters after their name.

2. Diagnosis and assessment

This is the clearest difference. If you need a formal diagnosis or an assessment, for example for ADHD, a learning disability, or documentation for school, work or insurance, a psychologist (or a physician) is the right choice. In Ontario, a psychotherapist can’t provide one. If you don’t need a formal diagnosis and want help with what you’re going through, either can be a good fit.

What a psychological assessment involves. According to the Canadian Psychological Association, a psychologist usually starts by asking you to describe the problem and for details about your personal history. They may then use psychological tests, which help them understand “the kind of problem in thinking, feeling or behaviour a person presents” and arrive at an impression or diagnosis. You’ll usually get feedback on the results and recommendations, often in a written report. Assessments for ADHD or learning disabilities can take several hours and are often priced separately from therapy, so ask for a quote first.

Do you need a formal diagnosis? It’s generally good to get one, so you know exactly what the problem is that needs treatment. Even without one, a good psychotherapist can offer a good approach to improve your mental health. A formal diagnosis is particularly helpful when someone isn’t responding to treatment or isn’t reaching their goals over time.

3. The therapy itself

Here they overlap the most. Psychologists and psychotherapists both use evidence-based approaches such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) and mindfulness-based therapies. Ask any therapist which approaches they use, and how they would apply them to what you’re dealing with.

In my view, most of the benefit comes from the rapport between patient and therapist, more than the type of therapy. Doing the work is an important part of the results too: if you expect to improve passively, psychotherapy generally isn’t going to work for you. Studies also show psychotherapy helps prevent relapse in many mental health conditions, which is why I recommend it for most of them.

The research backs this up for depression. A 2015 review of 25 studies with 2,055 people found that those who had therapy aimed at preventing relapse were about a third less likely to have their depression come back than those who had usual care.

4. Titles

Psychologists with a doctorate can use the title “Dr.” In Ontario, Registered Psychotherapists can’t use “Dr.” in their practice, even if they hold a PhD, and can’t describe their services as “psychological”.

5. Medication: neither can prescribe

“In Canada, psychologists do not prescribe medicine,” and psychotherapists can’t either. If you think medication might help, talk to your family doctor or nurse practitioner, or ask for a referral to a psychiatrist. Our guide to psychologist vs psychiatrist explains when a psychiatrist makes sense.

Other titles you might see

When you search for a therapist, you’ll see more than two titles. Here’s how the others fit in:

Title	Who they are	Worth knowing
Psychiatrist	A medical doctor who specializes in mental health	Can diagnose and prescribe medication. Usually needs a referral, and is covered by OHIP, MSP and RAMQ. See psychologist vs psychiatrist.
Psychological associate (Ontario)	A master’s degree in psychology, registered with the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts	Can give a diagnosis and do psychological testing, like a psychologist
Registered Social Worker (RSW)	A social work degree, registered with a provincial social work college	Many provide psychotherapy, and in Ontario can use the title “psychotherapist”. Often covered by benefits.
Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC)	A BC designation from the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors, which requires a master’s degree	The most common talk therapy designation in BC until psychotherapy regulation starts in 2027
Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC)	A national certification from the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association	Common in provinces that don’t regulate counselling. Check whether your benefits plan accepts it.
“Therapist” or “counsellor”	A general word, not a specific credential	On its own it doesn’t tell you someone’s training. Ask which regulated title or designation they hold.
Family doctor or nurse practitioner	Your primary care provider	Can diagnose, prescribe and refer you to a psychiatrist. Often the first stop if you think you might need medication.

For talk therapy, what matters most is that the person holds a recognized title, has experience with your concern, and is someone you feel comfortable with.

Cost and insurance

Psychologists in private practice aren’t covered by provincial health plans, and neither are psychotherapists. Both are usually paid out of pocket or through workplace extended health benefits. What people typically pay:

• Ontario psychologists: the Ontario Psychological Association’s 2024 survey found psychologists most commonly charge $250 an hour for therapy, with two-thirds charging between $211 and $275.
• BC counsellors: the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors’ 2026 fee guide suggests $140 to $225 per 50-minute session, depending on experience.
• Quebec: in a 2023 survey, 82% of psychologists said they charge between $120 and $180 an hour for psychotherapy in private practice.

Broadly, psychotherapists and counsellors often charge less than psychologists, but there’s a lot of overlap. At Field Trip, psychotherapy and psychology cost the same: for a 50-minute appointment, at every location.

Will my benefits cover it?

Most extended health plans cover some therapy each year, but they don’t all treat psychologists and psychotherapists the same way. Some plans list them separately, each with its own annual maximum. Some older plans covered only psychologists, though many have expanded. The federal public service plan, for example, added psychotherapists, social workers and counsellors to its eligible practitioners. Before you book, check your plan booklet or call your insurer, and ask which titles are covered and how much per year.

Free and low-cost options

Psychologists working in hospitals, community clinics and schools are publicly funded, but wait lists can be long. In Ontario, Ontario Structured Psychotherapy offers free, short-term CBT for adults with depression and anxiety. In BC, HeretoHelp lists lower-cost options, including employee and family assistance programs (EFAPs), which many employers offer for a few free sessions.

Not sure which kind of therapist is right for you? Speak with our Care Team to see what could be a fit.

Should you see a psychologist or a psychotherapist?

A psychologist may be the better choice if:

• you need a formal diagnosis or assessment, such as for ADHD or a learning disability
• you need a report for school, work, court or an insurance claim
• your benefits only cover psychologists
• your concerns are complex and you want someone who can assess and treat

A psychotherapist may be the better choice if:

• you want regular talk therapy for anxiety, low mood, stress, relationships, grief or trauma
• you don’t need a formal diagnosis
• you’d like a wider choice of therapists and, often, lower fees
• your benefits cover psychotherapists or social workers

For many people with anxiety or depression, either can help. The bigger question is fit. Look for someone who has experience with what you’re going through, uses approaches that make sense to you, and makes you feel heard. It’s normal to try a first session or two before you decide.

As a family doctor, I generally send someone who needs psychotherapy to a psychotherapist, or to a psychologist who provides psychotherapy. If someone needs specific psychometric testing, I send them to a psychologist. The fit between therapist and client matters more than the title.

In the first few sessions, you should get a sense that your therapist understands you and has a structured approach to working on your mental health. It may take several sessions to feel things improving, but improvement itself is a good sign.

How to check a therapist’s registration

Every regulated professional should be listed on their college’s public register. You can search the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario, the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario, the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC, the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors or the Ordre des psychologues du Québec. If someone you’re considering isn’t listed anywhere, ask why.

Psychology and psychotherapy at Field Trip

At Field Trip, you don’t have to pick a title before you reach out. Our Care Team can help match you with the right person.

• Psychotherapy and counselling with registered psychotherapists, social workers and clinical counsellors, in person and online across Ontario, BC and Quebec.
• Psychology in Quebec.
• One price: $180 for a 50-minute appointment with either, at every location. No referral is needed, and sessions are often claimable on extended health benefits.

Our team includes Registered Psychotherapists such as Jason Taylor and Amanda Laprade in Ottawa and Meeta Locey and Laura Collins in Toronto; Registered Social Workers such as Brian Fernandes and Rose Ebrahimi in Toronto and Dan Kim and Jody Giada in Vancouver; and Registered Clinical Counsellors such as Shannon Tully and Ryan Schebek in Vancouver.

Our therapists work with depression, anxiety, trauma and PTSD, OCD, grief, addiction and more. If talk therapy alone isn’t getting you where you want to be, the same therapist can talk with you about whether psychedelic-assisted therapy could help, so you never have to retell your story to someone new. Learn more about the importance of talk therapy and how therapy fits into psychedelic integration.

Questions people ask

Sources

• College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario, Who we are
• CRPO, Use of terms, titles and designations
• CRPO, Controlled acts
• CRPO, Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy (scope of practice)
• CRPO, Recognized and non-recognized programs
• CRPO, Supervision requirements
• Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, Psychotherapy
• College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario, General information for applicants
• CPBAO, The controlled act of communicating a diagnosis
• BC Association of Clinical Counsellors, Protection of the public
• BCACC, 2026 fee guide
• Government of BC, New College of Health and Care Professionals of BC (2024)
• Ordre des psychologues du Québec, Who practices psychotherapy?
• Ordre des psychologues du Québec, How much does it cost?
• Qualifications Québec, Psychologists and psychotherapist permit
• Canadian Psychological Association, What is a psychologist?
• Ontario Psychological Association, 2024 Ontario Psychological Services Report: fee survey
• HealthLinkBC, Psychologist
• LDAO, Psychological assessment for learning disabilities
• Job Bank, Government of Canada, Psychologists: requirements by province
• Canadian Psychological Association, Deciding to see a psychologist: what to expect
• Government of Canada, Get help with mental health (9-8-8)

About the Author

Dr. Mario Nucci MD CCFP is a licensed Family Physician with a passion for mental health and the development of new therapies. He is actively engaged in research with a faculty associate professorship at Northern Ontario School of Medicine, and research collaborations with the University of Ottawa, University of Calgary, Lakehead University, Concordia University and Vancouver Island University.

Dr. Nucci is the founder of Bay and Algoma Health Centre in 2019, a walk-in and addiction medicine clinic. He founded the Canadian Centre for Psychedelic Healing in 2019, now operating as Field Trip Health, providing cutting edge mental health care, including ketamine therapy, in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Ottawa, Hamilton, Kitchener-Waterloo, Thunder Bay and Sault Ste. Marie.

If you are in crisis or thinking about suicide, call or text 9-8-8 any time, or call 911.