Psychotherapist (PCNA)
Has the skills and experience required to practise psychotherapy, without meeting the conditions for membership in a regulated professional order.
What that means
“Psychotherapist” is a reserved title in Québec. A person who is not a member of any professional order may nonetheless hold the psychotherapy permit, issued by the Ordre des psychologues du Québec to those who meet the training and practice requirements set by law. That permit, and it alone, authorises the title and the practice of psychotherapy.
On PsyPsy, the permit number is checked against the OPQ register before any contact, just like the licence of an order member.
When to turn to a psychotherapist (pcna)
- You are looking for psychotherapy and the person's title matters less to you than their practice.
- You want to widen your options beyond psychologists.
Frequently asked questions
Without a professional order, who oversees?
The permit is issued, suspended and revoked by the Ordre des psychologues du Québec, which keeps the public register of permit holders. A complaint about psychotherapy is also addressed to it.
What does PCNA mean?
It is the abbreviation PsyPsy uses for a psychotherapist who is not a member of an order: a person whose only regulated title is the psychotherapy permit.
Checking that a professional is in good standing
Every professional order keeps a public register of its members: that is where you confirm someone holds the right to practise. On PsyPsy, this check is done upfront — the licence and membership in the order are validated before a professional can contact anyone.
PsyPsy is not an emergency service
PsyPsy connects people; it does not provide care and makes no diagnosis. In an emergency, call 911. To speak with someone now: Info-Social 811, option 2.
Find an available psychotherapist (pcna)
Submit an anonymous request. Verified professionals with availability will contact you — you then choose freely.
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