Funding for Therapy and Counselling

What are the eligibility criteria for the funding for therapy and counselling program?

The funding for therapy and counselling program, including the eligibility requirements, is governed by provincial legislation, specifically, 85.7 of the Health Professions Procedural Code (the Code) under the Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA) and regulations under the RHPA and the Medicine Act.

To qualify, you need to meet one of these criteria:

1. It is alleged, in a complaint or report, that you were sexually abused by a registrant while you were their patient.
2. There is a finding made by the Ontario Physicians and Surgeons Discipline Tribunal (Discipline Committee) on or after December 31, 1993, that you were sexually abused by a registrant before December 31, 1993 while you were their patient.
3. The registrant has admitted in a statement to or agreement with the College that they sexually abused you while you were their patient.
4. The registrant has been convicted under the Criminal Code of Canada of sexually assaulting you while you were their patient.
5. A CPSO Committee makes a statement in written reasons following a hearing that you were sexually abused by a registrant while you were their patient.
6. There is sufficient evidence to support a reasonable belief that a registrant sexually abused you while you were their patient.

How do I apply for funding for therapy and counselling?

In order to be considered for funding, you will need to complete an application form (Form A: Funding Application) with the information required to assess your eligibility. You do not need to have a therapist or counsellor already in place in order to apply for funding.

You can submit your application via mail or email.

I have made a complaint to CPSO regarding the alleged sexual abuse. Do I need to wait until the complaints or discipline process has concluded before applying for funding?

No. You do not need to wait until the complaints or discipline process has concluded.

You can apply for funding for therapy and counselling at any time.

Will the registrant find out if I’ve applied for funding?

If a discipline hearing against the registrant is pending, disclosure obligations may require that the registrant receives a copy of your funding application.

What happens after I apply for funding?

CPSO staff will contact you to confirm receipt of your application, answer any questions you may have, and tell you whether any additional information is required. You will also be notified of the timelines associated with the review of your application.

Sometimes, staff may seek more information from you to support your application.

Staff will contact you shortly after your application is reviewed to inform you of the decision.

Who will review my funding application?

The Patient Relations Committee (“the Committee”) is responsible for overseeing the funding for therapy and counselling program for patients who have been sexually abused by a registrant. The Committee comprises both physicians and members of the public.

The Committee reviews each funding application to determine whether you meet the eligibility criteria outlined in the legislation.

Does a Patient Relations Committee decision impact any other proceedings against the registrant?

A decision by the Patient Relations Committee that you are eligible for funding does not constitute a finding of professional misconduct against the registrant and will not be considered by any other CPSO Committee dealing with the matter.

The process related to the Funding for Therapy and Counselling program is separate from any other CPSO proceedings concerning a registrant. If you are found eligible for funding, it does not mean the registrant will be found to have committed sexual abuse.

How much funding is available?

Provincial legislation sets out a maximum amount of funding that can be awarded (approximately $17,000).

If the services being used are also covered by OHIP or a private insurance plan, these sources of funding must be used first, and CPSO would only pay the amount not covered.

How does the billing process work?

You have two options for billing.

If your therapist or counsellor wishes to invoice CPSO directly for your therapy and counselling sessions, we will help them set up that process. This starts with your therapist or counsellor completing a Form B: Billing Information.

You can also pay for your therapy or counselling sessions out-of-pocket and request reimbursement using Form C: Reimbursement Request. Please note that you must provide receipts for the therapy or counselling sessions with Form C.

If you do not have copies of the invoices or receipts, you can submit an affidavit sworn by your therapist or counsellor in front of a commissioner of oaths in place of the invoices or receipts.

Forms, invoices and receipts can be submitted via mail or email. CPSO aims to process payment within 30 days.

Additionally, CPSO makes payments via direct deposit (Electronic Funds Transfer) to ensure timely payment.

Can I request reimbursement for therapy or counselling I received before I was found eligible for funding?

Yes, you can request reimbursement for therapy or counselling costs that you have personally incurred out-of-pocket following the alleged sexual abuse by submitting Form C: Reimbursement Request.

Invoices or receipts must be provided with the completed Form C.

Can I be reimbursed for incidental costs to access therapy or counselling?

Transportation, accommodation, childcare or other incidental costs incurred directly as a result of attending therapy or counselling will be considered by the Committee on a case-by-case basis using Form C: Reimbursement Request. All requests must be reasonable and necessary to access therapy or counselling.

Are there any restrictions on how I use the funding?

Yes. The funding must only be used to pay for therapy and counselling and reasonable and necessary costs incurred to access therapy or counselling sessions.

Your funding cannot be used to pay for any other costs, including the following: medication (e.g. prescriptions, vitamins, or supplements), charges for late or missed appointments, gratuities, and preparation of third-party reports.

Are there any restrictions on which therapist or counsellor I use?

Yes. Even though you have a choice as to which therapist or counsellor you would like to see, there are some restrictions. The therapist or counsellor cannot have any family relationship with you and cannot have been found guilty of professional misconduct of a sexual nature or been found liable in court for an act of a similar nature.

Can I change therapists or counsellors, or add a new therapist or counsellor?

If you’re considering seeing a new therapist or counsellor, we recommend reaching out to CPSO staff before proceeding. Depending on the nature of the therapy or counselling, your request may need to be considered by the Committee.

You can see more than one approved therapist or counsellor at any given time, up to the maximum dollar amount awarded by the Committee.

How will I know the balance in my funding account?

You may contact CPSO staff at any time to request your funding balance.

The funding for therapy and counselling is meant to assist you in dealing with the effects of sexual abuse by a physician.

There are many types of therapists/counsellors that can be extremely helpful, and it can be a difficult choice.

So, how do you go about your search to find the right therapist/counsellor? Here are some useful tips to guide you through this process.

Does the therapist/counsellor have expertise in treating the effects of sexual abuse?

Previous training or experience can demonstrate that the therapist/counsellor knows how to provide you with treatment. In thinking about this point, you may want to consider whether the therapist/counsellor has:

1. a degree, certificate or diploma from a university or recognized program that trains individuals to deal with those who have been sexually abused;
2. worked with another person who regularly treats individuals who have been sexually abused;
3. themselves previously treated individuals who have been sexually abused.

If you answered ‘no’ to any of the above, it could mean that the therapist or counsellor will not be able to provide you with the most useful treatment. It is most important that your therapist/counsellor has the ability to help you deal with any of the effects of sexual abuse.

Do I feel comfortable meeting with the therapist/counsellor?

If you feel that the treatment is safe and that you will not be hurt in the process, you will likely feel comfortable attending a session with your therapist/counsellor.

As part of feeling comfortable with your therapist, you may want to consider whether your treatment will include:

• discussing your past;
• discussing the nature of the sexual abuse;
• touching, of some form; and/or
• taking any kind of medicine (your funds may not be used to cover the cost of medicine).

How many sessions will the therapy or counselling require?

The therapist/counsellor’s experience should allow him or her to estimate the number of sessions you need. As you are only entitled to a maximum of approximately $16,000, you must pay the difference if your therapy costs exceed this amount.

Does the therapist/counsellor have a previous record of any kind of sexual abuse?

You must not see a therapist or counsellor who has a previous record of any kind of sexual abuse.

In fact, your therapist/counsellor must complete a form (Form B: Billing Information) from the College confirming that he or she has never been guilty of this kind of offence.

Is the therapist or counsellor a registered member of a regulated health profession under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991?

You can ask your therapist or counsellor if they are a member of a regulated health profession. For example, in this province, psychologists are members of the College of Psychologists of Ontario and registered massage therapists are members of the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario. This means that:

• the therapist or counsellor has a certificate of registration from a regulating body;
• you can contact the regulating body if you have any concerns about the therapist/counsellor’s conduct;
• the regulating body may investigate the therapist/counsellor if his or her conduct falls below the profession’s standard of practice;
• you have people to contact if you feel uncomfortable about your therapist/counsellor’s way of providing treatment.

If the therapist/counsellor is not a registered member of a regulated health profession, you have no way of knowing whether he or she is appropriately qualified to practice. You may also not have a governing body to contact if you have concerns about the therapist’s conduct or skills.