CLINICAL CONSULTATION & SUPERVISION
The most valuable learning I have done as a therapist has been through supervision. Supervision has provided me practical tools and theoretical orientation to be a better therapist. It has been an important source of support for this difficult but satisfying work and a space to reflect on my career goals.
I love giving clinical supervision. I enjoy being able to help clinicians clarify for themselves how they understand the situations they are seeing. I find it very gratifying share my experience and knowledge and help others to grow towards their professional goals.
I have experience with a wide variety of clients and settings which helps me to understand what clinicians are seeing in most kinds of practice. I am a social worker, a couple and family therapist and psychotherapist. My areas of particular expertise are; high-conflict couples, borderline personality disorder in a community setting (though not eating disorders), sex and desire in long-term couples and acceptance of powerful negative emotions.
Call me at 514 799-6965 if you want to talk about ongoing or short-term consultation/supervision.
Continuing education/TRAINING in Systemic psychotherapy
I offer occasional continuing education training for therapists.
Upcoming: Systemic therapy, sexual desire and pleasure in long-term couples (OPQ approved)
DATE: TBA (click here to get on the mailing list for the next training)
1 day training and optional monthly small-group supervision
Supervision for professionals pursuing the Quebec psychotherapy permit outside the context of a university program.
Not yet a psychotherapist but pursuing the psychotherapy permit? I can provide supervision for professionals who are not in a university program and who are seeking the psychotherapy permit but it must be within the guidelines laid out by the ordre des psychologues du Quebec (OPQ). This is complicated but I will lay it out clearly to the best of my understanding.
If you are considering moving to Quebec to practice or transitioning into psychotherapy from a related field, be informed about the qualifications you need.
Quebec law restricts the act of psychotherapy; anyone who practices psychotherapy in Quebec - whether they call it psychotherapy or something else - needs to to be licensed by the OPQ or else they are practising illegally.
The definition of psychotherapy is very broad
Psychotherapy is psychological treatment for a mental disorder, behavioural disturbance or other problem resulting in psychological suffering or distress, and has as its purpose to foster significant changes in the client’s cognitive, emotional or behavioural functioning, his interpersonal relations, his personality or his health. Such treatment goes beyond help aimed at dealing with everyday difficulties and beyond a support or counselling role. (Bill 21 2009 ch 28)
How do you get the license?
Medical doctors and psychologists who are registered as psychologists with the OPQ can practice psychotherapy. (Recent graduates in psychology must complete a PhD in order to practice as a psychologist in Quebec. Unlike in other places, an M.Ed or masters in counselling psych is not sufficient to qualify in Quebec).
A professional who isn't a medical doctor or psychologist needs to get a psychotherapy permit from the OPQ in order to practice. McGill offers a masters program in Couple and Family Therapy that meets all the criteria required to receive the psychotherapy permit for people who already have a masters degree in a related field. If you meet the following criteria you may be able to receive a psychotherapy permit from the OPQ without the need for an additional graduate degree
you have a masters degree in a related field; occupational therapy, nursing, social work, counselling, sexology, criminology etc AND
you are a member of certain professional orders here in Quebec such as the order of occupational therapists, the order of social workers and couple and family therapists, or the nursing order (click here to check which professional orders)
To qualify for the permit you first submit a file to the OPQ. They then tell you what additional academic qualifications you need, if any. They require a total of 765 hours of academic instruction in particular areas relating to psychotherapy. The OPQ will examine your academic record including in your bachelor’s and/or master’s degree to determine what criteria you have met and what additional courses you will need to take. You can take these courses at a university program or through another qualified institution. The OPQ will also tell you if you can begin your supervised clinical hours.
You need to do 600 supervised clinical hours and 100 supervision hours with a psychotherapist with 5 or more year of experience and training as a supervisor such as myself. You must receive authorization from the OPQ before you begin your clinical hours.
Some cases
“I have a masters degree in social work. I am a member of the OTSTCFQ (the Quebec order of social workers and couple and family therapists). I want to do an internship in private practice.”
Make an application to the OPQ to pursue a psychotherapy permit independently. They will tell you what additional classes you need to take including some you may be required to take before you begin your internship. Once you have received a reply from the OPQ authorizing you to go ahead with an internship, I can supervise you.
“I have a master's degree in counselling. I am a member of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. I did additional training in a particular psychotherapeutic method in Quebec that included 200 hours of clinical work.”
Since you are not a member of one of the authorized professional orders in Quebec, and you are not admissible to one, you cannot get the psychotherapy permit unless you pursue an additional graduate degree. The OPQ will not authorize you to pursue an independent internship and I cannot supervise you independently.
“I have a Master's degree in occupational therapy. I am a member of an occupational therapy college in another province where I work as a psychotherapist. I am planning to come to Quebec.”
First, become a member of the Quebec order of Occupational Therapists. (Contact the order to learn what is involved. Many professional orders have reciprocal agreements with other jurisdictions. At a minimum, you will need to pass a French language exam administered by the office quebecois de la langue française) Once you become a member of the order you can make an application to the OPQ to pursue independent study for the psychotherapy permit. When you have done that and received a reply from the OPQ authorizing you to do ahead with an internship. I can supervise you.
I hope all this is helpful.
Unfortunately, every year I am contacted by a few people asking for supervision (including people who were in programs here in Quebec) who are not eligible for the permit. There are also many licensed professionals such as Social Workers who could pursue the permit through this path but are daunted to try. It pays to find out.
If you have read this and think you may qualify and want to talk further, feel free to contact me.