Holistic Health and Increased Regulations

To whom it may concern,

I’m writing as a holistic practitioner in Ontario.  I love the work I do and see wonderful benefits for my clients.

I am noticing something of deep concern – the increased regulations in Canada of many modalities in the health care field (acupuncturists, psychotherapists, counsellors, naturopaths, etc.). 

The most recent concern is around the Controlled Act of Psychotherapy Legislation which states that "treating by means of psychotherapy technique, delivered through a therapeutic relationship, an individual's serious disorder of thought, cognition, mood, emotional regulation, perception or memory that may seriously impair the individual's judgment, insight, behaviour, communication or social functioning"  and somebody who isn't registered with the College of Psychotherapists of Ontario who uses these techniques could be "fined up to $25,000 and imprisoned" creates an intimidating atmosphere for holistic practitioners.
I would really appreciate if you could provide specific wording for the community that alleviates this concern.

There are many people who are advocating around this legislation and there are conflicting legal opinions out there as to how little or how great of an issue this is. There is a lot of discussion around corporate interests motivating this legislation. I am not sure what to believe at this point.  And I'm not a trained lawyer or political activist. I am an average citizen and entrepreneur and I can only speak to what it's like from my perspective.

On paper, it seems like it is an Act that protects the public, and I agree there have been many transgressions by people who call themselves therapists or ministers, etc, which we need to be vigilant about. I myself have had harm by unqualified people who didn't know about the effects of trauma. So, in essence, I support the College of Psychotherapists in ensuring there are safeguards to ensure that nobody is harmed.

“treating, by means of psychotherapy technique, delivered through a therapeutic relationship, an individual’s serious disorder of thought, cognition, mood, emotional regulation, perception or memory that may seriously impair the individual’s judgement, insight, behaviour, communication or social functioning” - See more at: http://www.oaccpp.ca/about-regulation/#sthash.sOXxsFSJ.dpuf

But there is a bigger issue, where there is some gray area of what a psychotherapeutic relationship is and what is a serious mental disorder, and even how to identify what harm is (I know that sounds silly, but often in holistic healing there are healing reactions where clients feel worse before they get better because they are detoxing emotionally and energetically). 

Often people come to us in distress, either because the therapy they are getting isn't working or they can't afford psychotherapy's costs, or they aren't comfortable with that type of setting.  They want an alternative approach and many walk out feeling more energized, clearer, healthier, happier and positive. This is not to demean the great work of the traditional medical model for it is very important and provides a great benefit and service to the public. Many psychotherapists and those in the medical profession today would agree that they appreciate their clients going to other forms of self-care in addition to traditional care. If fact, many of them learn the techniques from us to incorporate in their practice.

However, this Act is causing great concern for holistic practitioners, because it is stating that only certain types of professionals can be in a therapeutic relationship with a client around mental and emotional issues -- namely psychotherapists, mental health counsellors, social workers and occupational therapists.  These groups have clearly been consulted and included. But holistic practitioners have not.  

What many of us do can seem like it is psychotherapeutic due to the response clients have with our work.  Some people have emotional releases, others go into deep healing – one can never know what will come up for the person because holistic health treats the whole person, not part of them, through mind, body, spirit exercises.  Some of us do energy work, coaching, holistic counselling, body awareness work, affirmation tools, or hypnosis, others use psychic channelling and readings, and others will offer some advice or counselling for the person so they have some direction (which could be to go and seek a therapist because it is outside of our scope). 

What I feel our community needs is reassurance from the government that we will not be persecuted and sued simply for offering a service to the community, giving people the option to seek us out. Of course, we have to abide by the regular laws of not harming others with violence, abuse or mentally warping them. For anyone who is practicing wholeheartedly, we want nothing but well-being for the client. 


I don’t see any problem with stating that holistic practitioners cannot call themselves psychotherapists or that they can’t say they heal or cure serious mental health issues – they can’t do that for physical issues either. 

“treating, by means of psychotherapy technique, delivered through a therapeutic relationship, an individual’s serious disorder of thought, cognition, mood, emotional regulation, perception or memory that may seriously impair the individual’s judgement, insight, behaviour, communication or social functioning”. - See more at: http://www.oaccpp.ca/about-regulation/#sthash.sOXxsFSJ.dpuf

psychotherapy to the existing list of 13 controlled acts within subsection 27 (2) of the RHPA, defining the new controlled act as, “treating, by means of psychotherapy technique, delivered through a therapeutic relationship, an individual’s serious disorder of thought, cognition, mood, emotional regulation, perception or memory that may seriously impair the individual’s judgement, insight, behaviour, communication or social functioning”. - See more at: http://www.oaccpp.ca/about-regulation/#sthash.e1cDviev.dpuf

The increasing regulations, education and fees that are required are actually making it inaccessible for people to do holistic healing, which would make it a field that will only be available to the elite.  Many people who go into this field don’t have a lot of money and can’t afford to take years of training. And many of the modalities don’t require it.  We all have a right to doing meaningful work, despite our socio-economic status.   

Also, many small businesses are run by holistic practitioners and putting them out of business through intense regulatory standards is not in the best interest of the economy. You will have more people who are poor or unemployed, not actively making a contribution to society, by enforcing this Act without considering the unique culture of holistic practitioners. 

I agree that holistic practitioners need to become more educated around mental health issues with clients, and I would encourage a basic, affordable course they need to take in order to practice in Ontario (the CMHA’s Mental Health First Aid is one I would recommend to start with).  But if we have to become psychotherapists in order to practice, that will surely put everyone out of business. 

You see, people get into holistic healing for various reasons, but not because it’s a big money maker. It could be because of a health concern they or a loved one has gone through, or that the medical model has failed them, or that they see the environmental concerns facing the planet and want to make a difference. The range of modalities is broad as well as the salaries within this field.

Many clients come to us because they have become disillusioned by the traditional medical model, feeling like it is just feeding them pills and pumping them through a system.  By regulating all of this the government is taking away our fundamental human right to choose our own approach to treating our body and health. 

Natural Health is not a threat to the medical system – it complements it so people don’t need to get to the point of crisis that leads them to have to go to the doctor or the hospital. Having citizens take their health into their own hands and choose a holistic health therapy actually saves the government lots of money because they don’t get sick as often or have to go to the hospital.  This saves taxpayer’s money, obviously.  Can these two approaches to health work together?  

I do hope the government can truly examine the implications of making heavy regulations that stifle the culture and nature of holistic health because we are good people who care about the well-being of the world.

I’m sure many holistic practitioners would be open to consultations to advise what would be a workable solution.  

I invite your reply and hope we can make a mutually beneficial agreement to the Controlled Act of Psychotherapy.

Sincerely,

Heather Embree