Guide
What is a Registered Psychotherapist (RP) in Ontario?
A plain-language guide to the title, what it means, and how to check that your therapist is registered.
In short: A Registered Psychotherapist (RP) is a psychotherapist registered with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO), the regulator for the profession. In Ontario, only CRPO registrants can use the title “Registered Psychotherapist” or the abbreviation “RP”, and anyone can check a registrant's status on CRPO's public register.
What the title means
Ontario's Psychotherapy Act, 2007 restricts the titles “psychotherapist”, “Registered Psychotherapist”, and “Registered Mental Health Therapist”. Only CRPO registrants may use “Registered Psychotherapist” and “RP”. Registrants of certain other regulated health colleges in Ontario may use “psychotherapist” when their own college allows it, and they use their own credentials, such as “RSW” for registered social workers.
Being registered means a therapist is accountable to a regulator rather than working on their own word.
How to check that your therapist is registered
- Open CRPO's public register It's linked from CRPO's Registered Psychotherapist status check page.
- Search by name Hyphenated or accented names may need a partial search. Clearing any autofilled address details helps.
- Read the registration category It should say Registered Psychotherapist, and the register also shows any limits, conditions, suspensions, or professional conduct matters.
The register confirms registration status. It doesn't publish job titles or credentials, so it won't confirm someone's degrees.
What the registration categories mean
- Registered Psychotherapist: authorized to practise, either while working toward independent practice with clinical supervision or in independent practice.
- Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying): practising under supervision while completing the requirements to become a full Registered Psychotherapist.
- Registered Psychotherapist (Temporary): practitioners from other jurisdictions who are temporarily registered, usually for a temporary Ontario job.
- Registered Psychotherapist (Inactive): not currently practising, and not able to provide or supervise direct client care.
Questions to ask in a first conversation
- What is your registration status, and where can I look you up?
- What approach do you use, and how would you work with someone like me?
- What are your fees, how do sessions work, and do you provide receipts for insurance?
- How will we know whether we're a good fit?
About me
I am a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) and a professional member of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA). You're welcome to look me up on the register. More about me or book a free consultation.
Frequently asked questions
What does RP stand for?
RP stands for Registered Psychotherapist. In Ontario, only people registered with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) may use the title “Registered Psychotherapist” or “RP”.
How do I check whether a psychotherapist is registered in Ontario?
Search the CRPO public register by name. It shows the registration category and any limits, conditions, suspensions, or professional conduct matters.
Can anyone call themselves a psychotherapist in Ontario?
No. Ontario's Psychotherapy Act, 2007 restricts the title “psychotherapist”. Registrants of CRPO and certain other Ontario regulatory colleges may use it.
Does the register show a therapist's degrees?
No. The register doesn't publish job titles or credentials, so it confirms registration status rather than degrees.
Sources: CRPO's Registered Psychotherapist status check and Use of Terms, Titles & Designations. Information is current as of November 2026; check CRPO for the latest.
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