On a brisk Saturday morning, a group of clinical psychologists and their patients gathered with signs to protest a significant upcoming change in their field.
“We’re here to urge the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario (CPBAO) to halt the proposed reforms that threaten to lower the training standards for clinical psychologists,” explained Dr. Shireen Avuhatoum, a clinical psychologist.
These reforms aim to reduce the current training requirements for aspiring clinical psychologists, a move that has sparked concern among both professionals and patients.
Among the protesters was Mauricio Deutsch, a patient who relies on psychiatric care. “I’ve been receiving treatment for the past five to six years, and I’m worried about the potential impact of these changes,” he shared.
While some argue for the reforms, others, like Dr. Natalie Michel, are staunchly against them. Dr. Michel, who completed four years of supervised clinical work, believes that reducing the supervised work years for Master-level graduates from four to one is inadequate and could compromise patient care.
The CPBAO, however, defends the reforms, stating that they aim to align with other provinces and simplify the registration process for professionals in Ontario while maintaining high standards of care.
Despite the varied opinions, the proposed changes are currently undergoing a 60-day public consultation period before a final decision is made.