Psychotherapy Supervision

Occupational therapists (OTs) who practice any form of psychotherapy are required to follow the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario’s (COTO) Standards for Psychotherapy, 2023. These standards require the OT to have knowledge, training, skills, and judgement acquired through recognized training programs and to engage in psychotherapy supervision that is congruent with their level of psychotherapy experience.
  
To assist occupational therapists to learn about psychotherapy approaches and to source learning opportunities and courses to advance their skills, OSOT makes available, A Compendium of Counselling & Psychotherapy Resources for Occupational Therapists, 2nd Edition.

To help OTs obtain a psychotherapy supervisor, OSOT has created two resources:

  1. OT and Psychotherapy Supervision: This helpful reference will answer questions, such as: What is psychotherapy supervision? Who needs supervision? How to find a supervisor and more!

  2. Find-a-Psychotherapy Supervisor Search Tool: This online search tool will identify OSOT members who have indicated that they meet the requirements of Psychotherapy Supervisors in Standard 6 of COTO’s Standards for Psychotherapy, 2023 and are willing to be contacted by OTs seeking supervision.

The Find-a-Psychotherapy Supervisor Tool will assist you to locate potential supervisors. Selecting the right individual and negotiating the terms of your supervision relationship are up to you. Here are some tips:

  • Do you prefer to meet in-person or over-the-phone/internet? You can search by geographic area if face-to-face meetings are preferred.
  • Let prospective supervisors know that you accessed their contact information from the OSOT Find-a-Psychotherapy Supervisor tool.
  • Introduce yourself and describe your psychotherapy approach, training, experience, and what you are looking for in a supervisor.
  • Be prepared to interview prospective supervisors. Finding a good fit is important.

Consider:

  1. What is the prospective supervisor’s psychotherapy approach – COTO does not require the supervisor’s focus to be that of the OT being supervised – is this important to you?
  2. Practice experience - years of practice, type of client, workplace.
  3. Supervision experience and supervision style.
  4. Remuneration. What expectations might a prospective supervisor have?
  5. What expectations would they hold of you as a supervised OT?
  6. You may wish to ask for a reference.

When you find the right supervisor, document your mutual commitment including:

  1. Frequency of meetings and duration of contract.
  2. Processes relating to cancellations, re-scheduling, etc.
  3. Remuneration agreement, if applicable.
  4. Terms relating to termination of a contract.

If you are dually registered with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO), we advise that you understand their Supervision Requirements which differ from those of COTO.


Access the Find-a-Psychotherapy Supervisor Tool