Information from the British Columbia Branch of CACFT
Hello MFTs of British Columbia:
As you may have heard, the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC (CHCPBC) plans to regulate the practice of psychotherapy starting November 29, 2027. At that time, those of us who wish to continuing practising psychotherapy may need to be licensed as Psychotherapists by the College, which is directed by the BC Ministry of Health. While the requirements are yet undecided, CACFT/ACTCF is confident in the qualifications of each RMFT as some of the most highly educated and trained psychotherapists in the country.
The College hopes to open applications for current clinicians in June 2027, who may then immediately become licensed effective November 29, 2027. The College has not yet determined the application requirements at this time, however the process has closely followed the steps of the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). As such, in review of CRPO's path as well as recommendations from like professions across different jurisdictions, the BC Branch Board shares the following suggestions and information:
- Transcripts - If required, the College may request transcripts arrive directly from your educational institution. Begin determining the process for requesting your relevant transcripts, as well as any related costs.
- Diplomas - Locate and obtain copies of your respective diploma(s) in case they are requested. A good cellphone picture may suffice in cases where restrictive framing makes copies challenging.
- Currency Hours - There is high potential the College will request documentation for the number of client hours, or "currency hours," you have provided within a certain time frame, such as "the last 2 years." We do not currently know the requirement or time frame, however it would be prudent to assess your current hour tracking abilities. Most therapy scheduling and billing software can provide reports of hours scheduled, seen, and/or paid for, which can be easily anonymized. For those using pen and paper systems, consider how you might substantiate an hours requirement, perhaps with anonymized financial and/or scheduling records.
- Supervision Documentation - Locate, obtain, and store records of your supervision hours. While these may or may not be requested or considered by the College, we would prefer for RMFTs to be overprepared than caught off guard.
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Here is a link to the most recent FACTBC newsletter: FACTBC Newsletter
In addition, FACTBC Contractor Elaine Unger has requested we share the following with RMFT members:
Share a Story: Looking for Possible Interviewees in the Greater Victoria Area
As FACTBC continues to advocate for an inclusive regulatory framework, practitioner experiences and the stories of the clients you support are more important than ever.
The voices of practitioners who work with some of British Columbia’s most vulnerable individuals can help demonstrate the essential role FACTBC member-practitioners play in the mental health system. Sharing your experiences will help raise awareness of the value, accessibility, and diversity of care provided by FACTBC practitioners — and the potential impact on clients and communities if these practitioners are excluded from regulation. Names and specific details should be anonymized to protect client confidentiality.
Here is a sample snippet from an interview: Katherine, Music Therapist, Shares the Story of Tomoya
If you are a practitioner and would be willing to share your story through a video interview with Elaine Unger at FACTBC, please email her at elaine@factbc.org. She will be in the Greater Victoria Area on Thursday, September 17 recording interviews. Each interview takes approximately 30 minutes including set up. A quiet, well-lit indoor or outdoor space is required. Your perspective can help ensure that the experiences of practitioners and the clients they serve are represented in ongoing regulatory discussions.
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The Board of the BC Branch looks forward to sharing information, suggestions, and excitement as we approach the upcoming regulation. We are planning our AGM for January and will be requesting your thoughts for planning in the next few months. In the meantime, we wish the rest of 2026 brings the best for you, your families, and the communities you serve.
Sincerely,
BC Branch Board
CACFT/ACTCF
