FAQs > Q. I know many fine psychotherapists who are not doctors. What’s so special about Medical Psychotherapy?

Q. I know many fine psychotherapists who are not doctors. What’s so special about Medical Psychotherapy?

posted on May 25, 2017

A: So do we! In fact, we often have non-physician therapists talk at our conferences and we accredit many workshops and seminars put on by world-renowned psychologists, social workers, and other mental health professionals.  In addition, we try to keep up with the excellent psychotherapy standards practiced by our non-medical colleagues (e.g. in the Canadian Psychological Association and the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario).  But most provincial insurance plans (such as OHIP) do not cover psychotherapy performed by a non-MD.  Essentially, this creates a 2-tier system whereby people who can afford to, pay for psychotherapy out of pocket and those who can’t afford it – go without (or go on long waiting lists for time-limited therapy at hospital clinics).  Thus, we feel it’s important that the public has access to quality psychotherapy from physicians.

In addition, we believe that doctors are in a unique position to offer psychotherapy as we are very knowledgeable about physiological and pharmaceutical factors that can affect mental health.