Professional
training

Basic training in psychotherapy (Bill 21)

 

Medipsy offers basic training courses in psychotherapy to licensed guidance counselors (OCCOQ), nurses (OIIQ), psychoeducators (OPPQ), occupational therapists (OEQ), criminologists (OPCQ), social workers and couples and family therapists (OPTSTCFQ) wishing to meet the requirements to practice as a psychotherapist in Quebec.  These courses are recognized by the Order of psychologists of Quebec (OPQ) for the psychotherapy permit. We offer:

  • Courses related to the academic (theoritical) requirements of Bill 21. Theses courses are offered online. Each course was developed specifically to meet the requirements of Bill 21. As they are entirely online, you can complete the course from wherever you are. You can also start the course whenever you wish, and pause and resume the course based on your availabilities. Each course was submitted to the Order of psychologists of Quebec (OPQ) and has been approved as meeting the requirements of Bill 21 for the practice of psychotherapy in Quebec. 
  • Clinical supervision to meet the supervised practice requirements of Bill 21. 

 

 

Courses currently offered


The courses listed below have all been approved by the OPQ for the psychotherapy permit. They are available online; as such you can complete them from wherever, and whenever, you want. Each course includes exams as required by the OPQ. You may retake the exams until you succesfully pass them. 

Below is a list of the courses currently offered by the Medipsy, presented by domain. Additional informaiton about Bill 21 can be found lower on this page. 


Domain: the legal and organisational aspects of a psychotherapy practice


Bill 21 requires that candidates complete 45 hours of training on the legal and organisational aspects of psychotherapy practice. Medipsy offers a two part course on this topic. Each part, part include 25 hours of training. 

The legal and organisational aspects of psychotherapy practice - Part 1 (25 hours). Click here for the course outline.   

The legal and organisational aspects of psychotherapy practice - Part 2 (25 hours). Click here for the course outline. 

 

 

Domain: the relationship between biology and psychotherapy



The law requires 45 hours of training on the relationship between biology and psychotherapy. 15 of these 45 hours must be devoted to the relationship between mind and body (liens somatopsychiques et psychosomatiques). Medipsy offers 15 hours of training on this latter topic. 

 


Domain: theoritical models in psychotherapy


The law requires 45 hours of basic training in each of the 4 models recognized by the OPQ as well as 90 hours of more advanced training in one of these models, as chosen by the candidate. Medipsy offers:

Introduction to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) (45 hours). Click here for the course outline.

Introduction to psychodynamic psychotherapy (45 hours). Click here for the course outline.

Introduction to humanistic-based psychotherapies (45 hours). Click here for the course outline.
 
Systemic therapy, Family systems and Family therapy (45 hours). Click here for the course outline.
 
 

Domain: common factors


The law requires 90 hours of training on commun factors in psychotherapy. Medipsy offers 25 hours of training in this domain.

Common factors in psychotherapy (25 hours). Click here for the course outline. 
 

 

The requirements of Bill 21


In order to qualify for a psychotherapy permit, candidates must be members of an eligible order and hold a master's degree in the field of mental health and human relations. In addition, candidates must complete:

765 hours of training in psychotherapy, including:

  • 270 hours related to theoretical models in psychotherapy. 45 of these 270 hours must be related to each of these four recognized modalities (dynamic, cognitive behavioral, systemic, and humanistic). An additional 90 hours must be related to one of the four models;
  • 90 hours related to common factors in psychotherapy;
  • 90 hours related to critical tools, including research methods;
  • 180 hours related to the classification of mental disorders and psychopathology;
  • 45 hours related to the link between biology and psychotherapy;
  • 45 hours related to the legal and organizational aspects of practice; and
  • 45 hours related to ethics.

 

600 hours of supervised clinical practice, including :

  • 300 hours of direct contact with a minimum of 10 clients/patients, each client/patient having received at least 10 hours of therapy; and
  • 100 hours of individual supervision.

 

Both the training and supervision need to be offered by professionals who meet a number of requirements as defined in the Bill. For more information, please click here to visit the website of the Order of psychologists of Quebec or here to read the Bill (Bill 21).