Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Program for Funding?
Each health profession’s regulatory College is required, under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991, to establish a program to provide funding for therapy and counselling for individuals who were sexually abused by a member of that College while they were a client/patient. The legislation assigns the responsibility for administering this program to the College’s Client (Patient) Relations Committee. It is the responsibility of this Committee to review each request for funding under the program to determine if the eligibility criteria are met. The Client Relations Committee of the College of Psychologists of Ontario is composed of four members of the profession, psychologists and psychological associates, and two members of the public, with staff support provided by the Deputy Registrar.
Who is Eligible for Funding?
Under the legislation, you may be eligible for funding if:
a panel of the Discipline Committee finds that you were sexually abused by a psychologist or psychological associate while you were a client/patient; or,
your situations meets one of the additional criteria for funding of therapy and counselling which have been approved by the College Council as follows:
(a) the psychologist or psychological associate has been convicted under the Criminal Code of Canada of sexually assaulting you, while you were a client/patient; or
(b) you reported having been sexually abused but only served as a witness in a case where the Discipline Committee found your testimony credible and the psychologist or psychological associate was found guilty of sexual abuse of another client;
(c) there is a finding made by a panel of the Discipline Committee on or after December 31, 1993 that the person was sexually abused by a member before December 31, 1993 while the person was a client of the member; or
(d) you provide sufficient evidence to the Client Relations Committee to support a reasonable belief that you were sexually abused, while a client.
How Much Funding is Available?
The legislation sets out a maximum of approximately $12,000 per applicant. If OHIP or your private insurance plan covers some of the costs, the College would only pay the amount not covered.
Are There Any Restrictions on How I Spend the Money?
Yes. The legislation specifically states the funding must be used only to pay for therapy or counselling and must be paid to your therapist or counsellor directly. The College will not pay for missed appointments. As well, funds from the program cannot be used to pay for travel, accommodation or other incidental costs even if you incur these directly as a result of therapy.
How Long is the Funding Available?
Funding is available for up to five years from the time your application is approved by the Client Relations Committee. If you are found to be eligible based on a Discipline Committee’s finding that you were sexually abused by a psychologist or psychological associate while you a client/patient, you may be eligible to be reimbursed for therapy you received between the time that the Discipline hearing began and the time you were found eligible for funding. Does the therapist need to be a psychologist or psychological associate or another regulatory health professional?
Does the Therapist or Counsellor have to be a Psychologist or Psychological Associate or another Regulated Health Professional?
No. You may select the therapist you wish to see, however you will be asked to provide a written statement from the therapist or counsellor to the Client Relations Committee indicating:
the details of the therapist's or counsellor's training and experience and whether the therapist or counsellor is a member of a Regulated Health Profession;
confirmation that the therapy or counselling is being provided you and that the funds are being devoted only to the therapy or counselling;
a short description of the therapy or counselling to be offered;
the fees to be charged for the service; and
whether the therapist or counsellor has liability insurance.
Do I Need to Meet with the Committee?
No. The Committee undertakes a documentation review only.
Will the Committee have Access to all of the Detailed Information I Provided to the College Regarding the Abuse?
The Client Relations Committee requires sufficient information to be satisfied that the criteria for eligibility have been met. The College recognizes however, that the information you have provided is very personal and sensitive. To this end, the Client Relations Committee will only access the minimum information required to adequately undertake its review.
Is the Funding Confidential?
You will be asked to keep confidential all information obtained through the application for funding process, including the fact that funding has been granted and the reasons, if any, given by the Committee for granting the funding. Furthermore, a decision by the Committee that you are eligible for funding does not constitute a finding against the member and shall not be considered by any other Committee of the College dealing with the matter.
How Do I Apply?
If you wish to apply for funding for therapy or counselling under this program, please contact the Deputy Registrar, Dr. Rick Morris. His contact information is available below. Dr. Morris will answer any further questions you may have and will assist you in making your request for funding.
For more information or to apply to the program for funding for therapy or counselling for victims of sexual abuse, please contact:
Dr. Rick Morris, C.Psych.
Deputy Registrar
The College of Psychologists of Ontario
110 Eglinton Avenue West, Suite 500
Toronto, Ontario M4R 1A3
(416) 961-8817/(800) 489-8388, ext. 223
rmorris@cpo.on.ca