Understanding Nurse Psychotherapists in Ontario
- Lindsey Hutchings, BScN
- Sep 19
- 6 min read
Updated: Sep 22
Understanding Nurse Psychotherapists in Ontario:
Your Guide to Their Role and Regulation
Mental health care is a vital part of well-being, and Ontarians have many options for psychotherapy. Nurse psychotherapists in Ontario stand out for their unique, holistic approach, combining nursing expertise with mental health support. But who are nurse psychotherapists, and how do they differ from other psychotherapists?
This guide, grounded in information from the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO), explains their role, the regulations governing their practice, and why they might be the right choice for you. We’ll cover the controlled act of psychotherapy, professional titles, insurance considerations, and more, ensuring you have clear, accurate information.
Got Questions?
What Is the Controlled Act of Psychotherapy?
In Ontario, psychotherapy is tightly regulated to protect clients. Under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 (RHPA), psychotherapy is a controlled act, defined as a therapeutic relationship that treats serious cognitive, emotional, or behavioral disorders, such as depression, anxiety, or trauma, through talk-based methods like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or mindfulness. The RHPA (Section 27(2)) restricts this act to authorized health professionals, including nurses, doctors, psychologists, Registered Psychotherapists (RPs), social workers, and occupational therapists ensuring they meet strict standards for education, ethics, and competency.
The College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) regulates nurses who perform psychotherapy, while the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) oversees RPs. Their regulatory framework ensures that only qualified professionals provide psychotherapy, giving you confidence in the care you receive.
Who Are Nurse Psychotherapists?
A nurse psychotherapist is a Registered Nurse (RN), Registered Practical Nurse (RPN), or Nurse Practitioner (NP) authorized by the CNO to perform psychotherapy. Their nursing background sets them apart, blending mental health expertise with a holistic approach that considers physical, emotional, and social factors. For instance, a nurse psychotherapist might help you manage stress while addressing how it impacts your sleep or overall health.
Unlike RPs, regulated by the CRPO, or psychologists, who focus solely on mental health, nurse psychotherapists offer a broader perspective. They don’t need CRPO registration because the CNO fully authorizes their practice under the RHPA. This makes them a unique choice for clients seeking comprehensive mental health care.
Learn more about LAH Counselling
How Do Nurses Become Psychotherapists?
Becoming a nurse psychotherapist begins with being a licensed RN, RPN, or NP in good standing with the CNO. RNs, who hold a baccalaureate degree in nursing, providing a strong foundation in health sciences. Nurses obtain further experience either through on the job learning (clinical experience) or formal education (additional courses, certificates, degrees). In nursing, further professional development can come in the form of supervision or peer mentorship.
Education and Training
Nurses complete specialized education, such as graduate-level degrees or individual programs or courses focused on their preferred modality (like CBT, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), or counselling.)
Clinical Experience
Many nurses provide mental health services as part of their regular nursing duties. Some work specifically in mental health whether in a psychiatric ward of a hospital or as part of a community program. These nurses gain practical, hands on experience which helps them develop the competencies needed for practice as a Nurse Psychotherapist.
Supervision & Mentorship
While supervised clinical practice isn’t mandatory, many nurses choose to complete supervised practice or peer mentoring to build confidence and expertise. Working with an experienced psychotherapist (e.g., another RN, Psychotherapist), they refine skills in client assessment, therapeutic techniques, and relationship-building. Peer mentoring, often facilitated through organizations like the NPAO, offers collaborative learning and professional support.
CNO Oversight
Nurses use CNO’s Quality Assurance to evaluate their knowledge, skill, and judgment in psychotherapy. They record their work in annua Learning Plans which help nurses identify and strengthen relevant competencies and skills. This process, rooted in the Nursing Act, 1991, ensures nurse psychotherapists are competent to provide safe, effective care.
Regulation and Standards for Nurse Psychotherapists
The CNO is the sole regulatory body for nurse psychotherapists, overseeing their practice under the RHPA and Nursing Act, 1991. The CNO’s Standards & Guidelines (2025) outlines expectations, including informed consent, confidentiality, and client-centered care. These standards align with CRPO’s framework, emphasizing ethical boundaries and therapeutic effectiveness (see cno.org).
Nurses maintain competency through ongoing education, ensuring they stay current with evidence-based practices. Nurses might pursue higher level training for a therapeutic modality they already use or they might seek training for a new modality they'd like to use. Sometimes training comes in the form of learning to work with couples and families or hosting group therapy sessions. Whether a formal certificate or degree or a weekend refresher on trauma-informed care, ongoing educational expectations ensure nurses stay current and competent in the latest evidence-based techniques, delivering high-quality support.
Professional Titles: What’s in a Name?
Clear titles help you identify qualified professionals. The CNO keeps things simple by requireing nurse psychotherapists to identify with their professional title, followed by "psychotherapist". For example,
RN, Psychotherapist for Registered Nurses.
RPN, Psychotherapist for Registered Practical Nurses.
NP, Psychotherapist for Nurse Practitioners.
These titles reflect their status as a member of a regulated profession. While some education programs promise exclusive use of their "protected title" once completing their program or receiving their certificate, the only title approved for Registered Nurses by the nursing regulatory body in Ontario is RN, Psychotherapist. Accurate titles ensure transparency and help you choose a qualified provider.
LAH Counselling Services:
Insurance Coverage for Psychotherapy Services
Navigating insurance is key when accessing psychotherapy. Services by RNs and RPNs are often covered by private insurance plans, making them accessible for many clients. However, NP psychotherapy services may not be covered by private insurance, as NPs are funded through the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) for primary care. This could mean out-of-pocket costs or reliance on OHIP, depending on the setting.
Currently, due to outdated policies, some insurance companies only cover services provided by select professionals, sometimes only psychologies or registered psychotherapists. As each employer chooses a unique coverage plan, it is best to contact your insurance provider directly to determine which professions are eligible for coverage for providing psychotherapy services.
Check with your insurance provider to confirm coverage for RN, RPN, or NP psychotherapy. You can also verify a nurse’s credentials on CNO’s public register to ensure they’re authorized.to practice nursing and then NPAO's public-facing registry to see if they have a voluntary membership and to check out individual practice details.
Why Choose a Nurse Psychotherapist?
Nurse psychotherapists offer unique benefits:
Holistic Care: with their combined backgrounds in physical and mental health, nurse psychotherapists are uniquely qualified to manage the complex interplay between the different domains of health.
Evidence-Based Modalities: With their background in medical sciences, nurses are familiar with utilizing the most update-to-date evidence to inform their practice
Emphasis on Education: Nurses are trained in patient education allowing Nurse Psychotherapists to not only provide the tools but education to help you better understand your experiences.
Accessibility: Nurses work everywhere. You can find nurses in hospitals, clinics, schools and the community. Nurses can be employed or work in private practice while others still work online from home. This diversity increases care options making mental health services ever more attainable in Ontario.
Their nursing expertise makes them ideal for clients with complex health needs, ensuring a comprehensive approach to mental health support.
Book a Free 15-Min Consultation
Clearing Up Common Misconceptions
Misinformation about Nurse Psychotherapists abounds. Let’s debunk two myths:
Myth: Nurses need CRPO registration.
False—the CNO fully authorizes nurses under the RHPA.
Myth: Psychotherapy isn’t part of nursing.
Wrong—it’s explicitly included in nurses’ scope under the Nursing Act, 1991.
The CNO ensures rigorous standards, so you can trust nurse psychotherapists’ expertise.
For accurate details, visit cno.org or email practiceadvice@cno.org.
How to Find a Nurse Psychotherapist
To connect with a nurse psychotherapist:
Verify Credentials: Use CNO’s public register
Visit Nurse Psychotherapy Association for Ontario's public facing registry to find out practice details of individual nurses.
For more guidance, CNO’s website offers resources on standards and competencies.
Final Thoughts
Nurse psychotherapists in Ontario provide a unique blend of nursing and mental health expertise, regulated by the CNO under the RHPA. Authorized to perform psychotherapy without CRPO registration, they use titles like “RN, Psychotherapist” and offer holistic, evidence-based care. Whether you’re addressing anxiety, depression, or other challenges, they’re a versatile choice. Verify their credentials, confirm insurance coverage, and explore their services. For more information, visit the the NPAO to start your mental health journey.
Comments