A Registered Psychotherapist provides psychotherapy. A psychologist or Psychological Associate can provide psychological assessment, diagnosis and treatment within their authorized practice. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who can assess mental health conditions, diagnose and prescribe medication. Some professionals offer more than one kind of care. Ask what the particular appointment includes before you book.
You may be looking for someone to talk with regularly, an assessment, advice about medication or a report for school or work. Those are different requests. Knowing which one you are bringing can help you choose an appointment that meets your needs.
What is the difference between the three roles?
Registered Psychotherapist: psychotherapy
Registered Psychotherapists, or RPs, are regulated by the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). Their work involves a therapeutic relationship to explore and work with emotional, cognitive or behavioural difficulties. The CRPO overview of psychotherapy explains the profession and what to ask a therapist.
An RP can assess your concerns to plan psychotherapy. That does not mean the appointment includes a psychological diagnostic assessment, a diagnosis or prescribing medication. CRPO distinguishes assessment for treatment planning from communicating a diagnosis.
Psychologist or Psychological Associate: psychological services
These professionals are regulated by the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario (CPBAO). Depending on their authorized practice and competence, services can include psychological assessment, diagnosis and treatment, including psychotherapy.
Not every provider offers every assessment or works with every age group. Describe the assessment, question or documentation you need and ask whether they provide it. CPBAO explains these roles and their shared scope of practice.
Psychiatrist: medical mental health care
The Canadian Medical Association explains that psychiatrists are medical doctors specializing in mental health. Psychiatric care can include medical assessment, diagnosis and medication treatment. Some psychiatrists also provide psychotherapy. Ask what the service offers and how referrals and follow-up work.
Your family doctor can help you discuss medical concerns and whether a specialist referral is appropriate. A psychotherapy consultation at Anchor & Bloom is not a psychiatric or medication appointment.
Start with the purpose of the appointment
- Regular therapy: ask about the professional’s experience with your concerns, age group, language and preferred format. Discuss how they work and how you would review progress together.
- Assessment or diagnosis: state that when making your enquiry. Ask which assessments the provider offers and what the appointment and report include.
- Medication questions: speak with a medical professional about your concerns and the available care options.
- A report for school, work or another service: ask the receiving organization which assessment, credentials and documentation it requires. Check those requirements with the provider before paying.
For a child or teenager, confirm the specific age range and service. Child psychotherapy, psychological testing and a psychiatric consultation are different appointments.
Does the professional title tell me which therapy approach they use?
No. CBT, ACT and other approaches describe ways of working, rather than professional titles. People from different professions may use similar approaches. Ask what sessions would involve for the concern you are bringing.
CAMH’s guide to finding a therapist explains that professional background does not determine a single therapy approach, and suggests discussing how the therapist works.
What should I check about OHIP and insurance?
CAMH distinguishes publicly funded care from private psychotherapy. Insured physician services, including psychiatric care, can be covered by OHIP for eligible patients. Private-practice psychotherapy and psychology services generally involve a fee; publicly funded programs and employee assistance programs may have different arrangements. Confirm the particular service, eligibility and payment route.
For workplace or private benefits, give your insurer the provider’s full name, exact title and registration number. Ask whether the actual service is covered, what reimbursement limits apply and whether a referral or prior approval is required. A plan naming psychologists does not automatically establish coverage for an RP.
Our psychotherapist or psychologist insurance guide covers that specific benefits question. Professional scope and insurance eligibility are separate checks.
What does RP (Qualifying) mean?
It is a CRPO registration category. It does not mean the person is unregistered. Check the clinician’s exact title, current registration and any terms or conditions in the CRPO public register. Ask the provider about their registration category and confirm that exact credential with your insurer.
Where Anchor & Bloom fits
Anchor & Bloom offers psychotherapy online across Ontario and in person in Mississauga. Our clinicians are Registered Psychotherapists or Registered Psychotherapists (Qualifying). We do not provide psychological diagnostic assessments or prescribe medication.
You can compare our clinicians by age group, concern, language and appointment format. A free 15-minute consultation is a chance to ask about fit, the service offered, fees and appointment options. For the practical details of that conversation, read what to expect from a consultation.
General practice information checked October 20, 2026. Verify an individual professional’s registration and services with their regulator and provider, and coverage with your insurer or funding program.