General information
This section is intended for holders of a Québec university degree in couples and family therapy earned less than 5 years ago. If you received your degree more than 5 years ago, please refer to this section instead.
A form of psychotherapy
Moreover, couples and family therapy is a form of psychotherapy, since the core of its practice consists in providing psychological treatment intended to bring significant changes to the relationship dynamics or structure of a couple or family. In fact, when legislators updated the professional system in 2012, it defined psychotherapy and provided a framework for its practice (Art. 187.1 et seq. of the Professional Code).
Consequently, a couples and family therapist must hold a psychotherapist’s permit issued by the Ordre des psychologues du Québec (Québec Order of Psychologists) if engaged in the practice of couples and family therapy in Québec. Until a permit has been issued, the couples and family therapist can engage in couples and family interventions provided such practice is consistent with conditions set forth in the regulation on the psychotherapy permit, as this type of intervention does not constitute psychotherapy. Please refer to the website of the Québec Order of Psychologists or contact them for any information regarding the psychotherapist’s permit.
Degree granting access to the title of couples and family therapist
Master of Science (Applied) Couples and Family Therapy from McGill University.
Documents to be attached
The following documents must be attached to your application for admission:
1. Application for admission/Registration form for membership in the Order as a couples and family therapist
Application for admission | 2020 – 2021 Form
The Application for admission and Registration for membership in the Order as a couples and family therapist (PDF, 453 Ko) must be completed using the Reference Guide for the Application for Admission to or Re-registration in the OTSTCFQ (PDF, 1 Mo).
2. Proof of identity
You must send us a photocopy of a government-issued ID card, which shows your full name. Examples: passport, driver’s licence, birth certificate.
3. Official transcript
Only an official final transcript of marks is accepted.
You can ask the university to send us your transcript by email or to scan your transcript and send it in PDF format by email.
It must include:
- the mention “degree obtained” (and the date of issue)
- the registrar’s seal
Is your final transcript unavailable?
If you have just completed your program, you may attach:
An official attestation of completion of studies or awarding of degree attesting that the degree will be conferred at the next graduation ceremony.
If you cannot attach these documents upon filing your application for admission, attach Appendix R (PDF, 103 KB) attesting that you have undertaken steps with your educational institution to send the necessary documents directly to the Order.
4. Appendix C (if you have been declared guilty by a court of a criminal offence or by a disciplinary body of another order in Québec or elsewhere)
You are required to inform the Order of such a decision.
To do so:
• Complete sections 600, 610 and 620 of the Application for admission and Registration for membership in the Order as a couples and family therapist (PDF, 453 Ko)
• Download Appendix C – Mandatory Declarations (PDF, 68 KB)
• Attach any document from the court or disciplinary body regarding the offence and a letter detailing the circumstances of the event
Mail or email your documents to the following address:
Secretary of the Order
Ordre des travailleurs sociaux
et des thérapeutes conjugaux et familiaux du Québec
255 Crémazie Blvd. East, Suite 800
Montréal, Québec H2M 1L5
[email protected]
Applications of persons declared guilty of a criminal or disciplinary offence are reviewed by the Admissions and Equivalence Committee, whose recommendations are forwarded to the Executive Committee of the Order.
This may take up to 12 weeks.
5. Office québécois de la langue française form (if applicable)
Please consult the linguistic requirements to determine if you must
complete the Formulaire de l’Office québécois de la langue française with a view to taking a French exam.
Fees to pay
The fees payable will vary according to your situation at the time you apply.
These fees are not refundable.
Please consult the linguistic requirements to determine if you are required to complete the Formulaire de l’Office québécois de la langue française.
Professional liability insurance
You are required to have professional liability insurance if you practice the profession (whether full time, part time or occasionally).
If you are in independent practice or not covered by your employer’s professional liability insurance, you are required to purchase the Order’s professional liability insurance. You can request an exemption by completing APPENDIX-B. See our page on professional liability insurance for further information.
And then?
Send us your documents by email at the following address : [email protected].
Processing time for an application for admission
You can expect a delay of 3 to 4 weeks for the issue of your permit and registration on the membership roll of the Order from the moment your file is considered complete.
Once the admission process has been completed, the Admissions Department will send you:
-
- • Your permit for posting in public view
- • A letter confirming your registration on the Order’s membership roll
- • Your membership card and receipts for income tax purposes (expect additional time for obtaining these documents)
- • Documentation on insurance policies available.
Retention of incomplete applications
A file that remains incomplete is destroyed one year from the date you were informed of your application’s status.
You will have to initiate a new admission procedure, including the payment of fees for opening your file and, if applicable, reviewing your file.
If you have any questions, please contact:
Sophia Constant, Secretary
Admissions Department
Telephone: 514 731-3925, ext. 249
Toll-free: 1 888-731-9420, ext. 249
[email protected]
