Therapist vs Psychotherapist vs Psychologist: What's the Difference in Ontario?

You have finally decided to get some support. You open a search engine, and suddenly there are therapists, counsellors, psychotherapists, psychologists, social workers and psychiatrists. They all sound helpful. They all sound a little different. And you are already tired.

It is completely normal to feel confused. The titles overlap, and the rules change from province to province. Here is a plain-language guide to what each one means in Ontario, so you can choose with confidence and get on with feeling better.

The Short Version

• Therapist or counsellor: general words. Not protected titles in Ontario on their own.
• Registered Psychotherapist (RP): regulated by the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). Provides psychotherapy. Does not diagnose or prescribe.
• Psychologist: regulated by the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario. Provides psychotherapy, and can diagnose and do formal psychological testing. Does not prescribe in Ontario.
• Registered Social Worker (RSW): regulated by the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers. Many provide psychotherapy.
• Psychiatrist: a medical doctor specializing in mental health. Can diagnose and prescribe medication.

What "Therapist" and "Counsellor" Mean

"Therapist" and "counsellor" are everyday words. On their own, they do not tell you someone's training or who regulates them. CRPO notes that it does not regulate counselling, and that anyone who holds themselves out as qualified to practise as a psychotherapist in Ontario must be registered with CRPO or another psychotherapy-regulating college, no matter what title they use.

So when you see "therapist," look for the regulated designation that comes with it, such as RP, RSW or C.Psych, and check the college's public register.

What a Registered Psychotherapist (RP) Is

In Ontario, "psychotherapist" is a protected title. According to CRPO, only people registered with CRPO or one of five other colleges (psychologists, physicians, nurses, occupational therapists, and social workers) may call themselves psychotherapists. Only CRPO registrants may use "Registered Psychotherapist" or "RP."

What RPs can do

• Provide psychotherapy for concerns like anxiety, low mood, burnout, trauma, relationship difficulties and life transitions.
• Assess what you are experiencing in order to plan therapy together.
• Work alongside your doctor, with your consent.

What RPs cannot do

• Communicate a diagnosis. CRPO is clear that RPs may assess but are not authorized to communicate a diagnosis. An RP might say, "You have described low mood and low energy. Let's work on that, and I suggest checking in with your doctor," rather than "You have depression."
• Prescribe medication.
• Sign medical certificates or disability forms that require a diagnosis. Your family doctor or nurse practitioner usually completes these. Our guide to burnout leave in Ontario explains how doctor's notes for stress leave work.

What a Psychologist Is

Psychologists in Ontario are regulated by the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario. Along with psychotherapy, they are authorized to communicate a diagnosis and often specialize in formal psychological assessment, such as testing for learning disabilities or ADHD, or reports for legal and disability purposes. They do not prescribe medication in Ontario.

What a Psychiatrist Is

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in mental health. Psychiatrists can diagnose, prescribe medication and manage complex or severe conditions. In Ontario, psychiatry is covered by OHIP, usually with a referral from your family doctor or nurse practitioner, though wait times can be long.

Registered Social Workers

Many registered social workers with graduate training provide psychotherapy, often with a focus on how family, community and social circumstances affect wellbeing. They are regulated by the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers.

RP vs Psychologist: Which Should You Choose?

A psychologist may be the better first step if you need:

• A formal diagnosis or psychological assessment, for example for ADHD, a learning disability, or a legal or disability claim.
• Specialized psychological testing.

A Registered Psychotherapist may be a great fit if you want:

• Ongoing, practical therapy for anxiety, low mood, burnout, boundaries, relationships or life changes.
• A collaborative space to understand patterns and build skills, without needing a formal diagnosis first.

Many people work with more than one professional at once: a family doctor for physical health and medication, and an RP for weekly therapy.

What About Cost and Insurance?

Fees vary across professions and practitioners, and OHIP does not cover private therapy with an RP, psychologist or social worker. Many extended health plans include coverage for Registered Psychotherapists, but coverage varies by plan, so check your benefits booklet for the words "Registered Psychotherapist." Our guide how much is therapy in Ontario, and does OHIP cover it walks through the details.

How to Check a Professional's Registration

Every regulated professional in Ontario appears on their college's public register. Search their name on the CRPO, psychology, or social work college website. It takes a minute and gives you peace of mind.

Our therapists are Registered Psychotherapists with CRPO. You can meet our therapists and read about their training and approach.

Getting Support in Ontario, Made Easy

At Buena Vita Therapy, our Registered Psychotherapists (CRPO) offer online therapy to adults anywhere in Ontario.

• No commute, no waiting room. Secure video sessions from a quiet corner of your home, your parked car, or your office with the door closed.
• Start soon, not in six months. No long waitlist, so you do not have to keep holding it all together while you wait.
• Evening appointments. Support that fits around your workday, not the other way around.
• English or Spanish. Sessions are in English, and in Spanish if that is the language where you feel most at home.

Individual sessions are $185 for 50 minutes or $270 for 75 minutes, and we provide receipts you can submit to your extended health plan (we do not offer direct billing). See our fees and insurance page for details.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Right Person Is the One You Feel Safe With

Titles matter, and now you know what they mean. But the most important question is simpler: does this person feel safe to talk to, and do they understand what you are going through?

Prefer to write first? You can contact us with any question.

This article is general information only. It is not medical advice or a diagnosis, and it is not a substitute for professional care.