Most of us experience times when we need help to deal with problems and issues that cause us emotional distress. When you are having a problem or dilemma that is making you feel overwhelmed, you may benefit from the assistance of an experienced, trained professional. Professional therapists offer the caring, expert assistance that people need during stressful times.

There are many types of mental health providers to choose from. The most important thing is to select a licensed professional who has the appropriate training and qualifications to help a person with your specific issues. It is also critical that you choose someone with whom you can feel comfortable enough to speak freely and openly.

Types of Problems

People seek the assistance of a mental health professional (MHP) for many different reasons. Sometimes they worry their problem isn’t “big” enough. Never let that stop you from reaching out for help! A small problem is much easier to solve than a big one; sometimes, learning a few skills or having some support makes all the difference in resolving the issue before it escalates. These are some of the most common:

1. You feel unhappy most of the time.
2. You worry all the time and are unable to find the solutions to your problems.
3. You feel extremely sad and helpless.
4. You feel nervous, anxious, and worried most of the time.
5. You have panic attacks.
6. You have a hard time concentrating.
7. Your emotional state is affecting your daily life: your sleep, eating habits, job, and relationships.
8. You are having a hard time functioning from day to day. Your emotional state is affecting your performance at work or school.
9. Your behaviour is harmful to yourself or to others.
10. You are feeling impatient and angry with someone you are taking care of.
11. You are having problems with your family members or in other important relationships.
12. You or someone you care about has problems with substance abuse or other addictions.
13. You are the victim of sexual abuse or domestic violence.
14. You have an eating disorder.
15. You are having trouble getting over the death of someone you loved.
16. You or someone you love has a serious illness and you are having a hard time with it.
17. You feel lonely and isolated.
18. You are experiencing problems in a sexual relationship.
19. Your family has a lot of conflict and tension.
20. You are experiencing a divorce or marital separation.
21. You are having a hard time coping with change.
22. You often feel afraid, angry, or guilty.
23. You have a hard time setting and reaching goals.
24. Your child is having problems with behaviour or school performance.
25. Your family is stressed because someone is ill.
26. You have a hard time talking with your partner, children, parents, family members, friends, or coworkers.
27. You are having problems dealing with your own sexual orientation or the sexual orientation of someone you care about.
28. You are planning to marry, and you have some concerns.
29. You have gotten a divorce and your family needs help adjusting.
30. You are part of a blended family and need help learning to live together.

Types of Mental Health Professionals

The most common regulated mental health professionals in Ontario are Psychologists, Psychological Associates, Registered Psychotherapists, and Social Workers. Each profession is governed by its own regulatory college under Ontario law, which sets standards for education, training, and practice. While all regulated mental health professionals can support people with a wide range of life challenges, each group has specific training and areas of expertise that may make them particularly suited to certain concerns. In addition, each individual therapist brings their own experience, approach, and areas of focus to their work.

Psychologists in Ontario are regulated by the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario (CPBAO). They typically hold a doctoral degree (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) in psychology, although Psychological Associates may practice with a master’s degree and extensive supervised experience. Psychologists are trained in assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental health conditions, and they are qualified to conduct formal assessments such as psychoeducational and psychological evaluations.

Registered Psychotherapists (RPs) are regulated by the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). They usually hold a master’s degree or equivalent training in psychotherapy or a related field. RPs are trained to provide psychotherapy for mental health and emotional concerns, working with individuals, couples, families, and groups. Their work focuses on helping clients understand thoughts, emotions, behaviours, and relationship patterns, and to develop coping strategies and personal insight.

Social Workers are regulated by the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW). They typically hold a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) or Master of Social Work (MSW). Social workers are trained to support individuals within the context of their environment, considering social, economic, and systemic factors that may affect well-being. Many social workers provide counselling and psychotherapy, particularly those with an MSW and additional clinical training.

The title “counsellor” is not a regulated profession in Ontario, meaning there is no single governing body or standardized licensing requirement for its use. Individuals using this title may have a range of educational backgrounds and levels of training. For this reason, it is important to look for membership in a recognized professional association or registration with a regulatory college when seeking services.

Psychiatrists are MDs who are able to diagnose and prescribe medication. Very few in our area do therapy, although they are often trained to do so.

Referral to Other Health Professionals

When it is in the best interest of the patient or outside the scope of the MHP’s license, therapists collaborate with and refer to other health professionals, such as physicians or psychiatrists in the case of prescribing medication.

Confidentiality

Each group of MHPs has strict ethical guidelines governing privacy and confidentiality. Clients of licensed MHPs can expect that discussions will be kept confidential, except as otherwise required or permitted by law. Examples of times when confidentiality must be broken are when child abuse has occurred or where the client threatens violence against another person.

When you are looking for a mental health professional to help you address your issues, it is very important to ask about a therapist’s qualifications to treat your specific concerns.

You can find my qualifications and experience at my web site www.OakvilleFamilyInstitute.com

Many of your questions can be answered on my FAQ page

Is it wrong to ask for help?

Visit these web sites to learn more:

www.crpo.ca (College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario)

www.cpbao.ca (College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario)

www.ocswssw.org (National Association of Social Work)