What guarantees does a psychologist registered with ComPsy offer?

You may decide to consult a psychologist for various reasons. In any case, choosing the right psychologist for you is crucial. You need to feel confident and comfortable with the psychologist you choose. 

The interaction between a client/patient and a psychologist is, above all, a human encounter. Therefore, it's impossible to predict whether your chosen psychologist will be the perfect fit.

However, by choosing a psychologist registered with the Commission of Psychologists (via the Find a Psychologist page), you are assured of certain number of guarantees:

A psychologist can only register with the Commission if they hold a degree expressly recognized by the law that protects the title of "psychologist" 

This means that if you consult a psychologist registered with the Commission, they have received a extensive scientific training to practice their profession. 

Only a psychologist registered with the ComPsy has the right to use the title of "psychologist" 

By choosing a registered psychologist, you are guaranteed that you are consulting a professional legally entitled to use the title of "psychologist" (or a compound title). If a psychologist uses this title without being registered, they are committing a title abuse, which is a criminal offense.

A psychologist registered with the ComPsy commits to adhering to the Psychologists' Code of Ethics 

This Code outlines several ethical and professional obligations, such as respecting professional confidentiality, maintaining the dignity of every client/patient, upholding integrity and honesty, and keeping their competencies and qualifications up to a high standard. This means that if the psychologist you consult is registered with the Commission, they are required to follow these ethical obligations and apply them in the treatment they offer. 

If you encounter issues with your psychologist, you can request mediation or file a disciplinary complaint if your psychologist is registered 

It may happen that you face difficulties with your psychologist and start questioning their practice. It’s crucial to address these concerns quickly. ComPsy’s Research Department is available to answer your questions (whether your psychologist is registered with the ComPsy or not!). If the situation becomes too complicated, two options are available, provided the psychologist is registered: you can request mediation or file a disciplinary complaint. If the professional you consulted is not registered with the Commission of Psychologists, you won’t be able to access these valuable options. 

Lastly, note that mutual insurance companies may cover psychological care fees, but they often require that the psychologist be registered with the ComPsy and/or have a visa and a licence if they are a clinical psychologist

This means that in most cases, if the psychologist you consult is not registered with the ComPsy, your insurance may refuse to cover the fees. However, not all insurance companies follow the same rules, and some do not impose this requirement. We advise you to check with your insurance company regarding their policies.