Funding for Therapy and Counselling
Summary of Funding for Therapy Program
In accordance with the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 (RHPA), each regulatory college has the responsibility to create and administer a fund for therapy and counselling for patients who have been sexually abused by a member of CCO (“member”). This funding program is monitored by the Patient Relations Committee, a statutory committee of CCO.
If you have been sexually abused by a chiropractor in Ontario, you may qualify for financial help to see a therapist or counsellor.
The requirements for funding are outlined in the following documents:
The Patient Relations Committee may review and determine eligibility of funding for therapy and counselling for a person:
The Patient Relations Committee reviews each application to determine if you meet the eligibility requirements to qualify for funding. The level and time period for funding are set in regulation and policy. The maximum amount of funding that may be provided to an applicant is $17,370 (calculated as 200 half-hour sessions billed at $86.85 per session) and may be provided for a period of five years from the day on which the person first received funding. Funding shall be made only to the therapist or counsellor chosen by the person.
Funding for Therapy or Counselling Application Flowchart
Application Forms
Please complete and return the following fillable applications forms to the attention of CCO’s Patient Relations Committee by mail, fax or email attachment. The information you provide in these forms will assist the Patient Relations Committee in reviewing the application. The Regulated Health Professional Counsellor Statement or Unregulated Health Professional Counsellor Statement must be completed by the therapist or counsellor.
Mail: 59 Hayden Street, Suite 800, Toronto, ON M4Y 0E7
Fax: 416-925-9610
Email: cco.info@cco.on.ca
Once received, a CCO staff member will contact you to discuss the next steps in the funding program.
Questions and Answers Related to Funding for Therapy
Who will review my application?
The Patient Relations Committee is responsible for overseeing the funding for therapy and counselling program and will review your application to determine eligibility criteria. The Patient Relations Committee is comprised of both chiropractors and public members.
Do I need to make a complaint to qualify for funding?
You are not required to make a complaint to qualify for funding. The Patient Relations Committee will review your application for any of the criteria listed in Policy P-018 and listed above on this webpage. You may be contacted by College staff if additional information is required for the Patient Relations Committee review.
If I have made a complaint to the College regarding the alleged sexual abuse, do I have to wait until the complaints or discipline process has concluded?
No, you do not have to wait until the complaints or discipline process has concluded. You can apply for funding at any time if you meet the criteria.
What is sexual abuse?
The Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 defines sexual abuse as:
(a) sexual intercourse or other forms of physical sexual relations between the member and the patient,
(b) touching, of a sexual nature, of the patient by the member, or
(c) behaviour or remarks of a sexual nature by the member towards the patient.
“Sexual nature” does not include touching, behaviour or remarks of a clinical nature appropriate to the service provided.
Sexual abuse under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 has a different legal description from sexual assault under the Criminal Code of Canada[1]. Unlike the criminal act of sexual abuse, consent is not a defence to sexual abuse under the RHPA and acts of a sexual nature by a regulated health professional may constitute sexual abuse under the RHPA and result in regulatory consequences, including the revocation of a member’s certificate of registration.
More information on sexual abuse can be found in Standard of Practice S-014: Prohibition Against a Sexual Relationship with a Patient.
What is behaviour that may lead to sexual abuse
Sexual abuse by a patient may be preceded by certain grooming behaviour or boundary crossings or violations. Examples of this type of behaviour may include:
It is incumbent on a member to stop this type of behaviour before it may lead to anything more serious. For more details, please see Guideline G-001: Communication with Patients.
What happens after I apply for funding?
Once the required forms are submitted to the College, College staff will contact you to confirm receipt of the application, inform you about the process and timeline for review of the application, answer any questions you may have, and tell you whether any additional information is required.
Are there any restrictions on which therapist or counselor I use?
The Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991, its regulations and CCO policy set certain criteria for the choice of a therapist or counselor.
The therapist or counselor must not be a person to whom the applicant has any family relationship, or who, to the College’s knowledge, as been found guilty of professional misconduct of a sexual nature or been found civilly or criminally liable for an act of a similar nature.
The applicant may apply for funding for therapy or counselling from an individual who is not a regulated health professional; however, the College may require the applicant to indicate that they understand that the therapist or counselor is not a member of a health regulatory college and is not subject to professional regulation, complaints, or discipline.
Funding for therapy or counselling is generally approved for therapy or counselling on a session-by-session basis, that takes place in the province of Ontario. An application may involve extenuating circumstances, which should be communicated as part of the application process.
The Patient Relations Committee will review applications for funding for therapy on a case-by-case basis, and consider any extenuating circumstances as part of the application.
How does the billing process work?
As required by the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991, once a therapist or counsellor is approved, the College will make payments to the therapist or counsellor upon receipt of invoices.
In exceptional circumstances, if the applicant has already received therapy or counselling, the College may reimburse the applicant directly upon receipt of invoices or receipts. Invoices or receipts can be submitted to the College by mail, fax or email attachment:
Mail: 59 Hayden Street, Suite 800, Toronto, ON M4Y 0E7
Fax: 416-925-9610
Email: cco.info@cco.on.ca
Can I change therapist or counsellor or use more than one therapist of counsellor
Yes, at any time during the five year funding period, you may complete an application for a new therapist or counsellor, which will then be reviewed by the Patient Relations Committee.
Mail: 59 Hayden Street, Suite 800, Toronto, ON M4Y 0E7
Fax: 416-925-9610
Email: cco.info@cco.on.ca
Does the applicant have to meet with the Patient Relations Committee?
No, the Patient Relations Committee reviews documents only.
Is there a requirement for a psychological assessment to support the need for therapy?
The Patient Relations Committee reviews and approves applications for funding for therapy and counselling, and will review applications in accordance with the requirements of the legislation, regulation and policies of the College, including the nature and relevance of the therapy and jurisdiction in which the therapy is provided.
However, there is not a requirement for a psychological assessment to support the need for therapy, nor is there a requirement for your therapist or counsellor to provide updates on the progress of the therapy to the College.
What is the limit on funding for therapy or counselling?
The limits for funding for therapy or counselling are set out in the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991, its regulations and CCO policies.
The maximum amount of funding that may be provided to an applicant is $17,370 (calculated as 200 half-hour sessions billed at $86.85 per session) and may be provided for a period of five years from the day on which the person first received funding.
How will I know the status of my funding account?
At any time, you may contact the College to inquire about the status of your funding account. The College will communicate with you periodically as to how much money is left and how much time is left for funding for therapy or counselling
Other CCO Documents Related to the Prevention of Sexual Abuse of Patients
The following documents relate to the prevention of sexual abuse of patients:
[1] Criminal Code of Canada RSC 1985, c C-46, section 150 – 150.1
Legislation and Ethics Examination
CCO has scheduled an online sitting of the Legislation and Ethics Examination for May 30, 2024. The deadline to apply for this examination is May 13, 2024. Due to the online delivery of the examination, candidates should make themselves available for the entire day. Please complete the application form – May 30, 2024 and submit it to Ms Madeline Cheng, Registration Coordinator to apply for the examination.
Please contact Ms Madeline Cheng at mcheng@cco.on.ca or 416-922-6355 ext. 113 for any questions.
More information about the legislation and ethics examination, including study material, can be found at the following link, under “Legislation and Ethics Examination”.
Information about both sittings of the examination can be found at the following link.
Information about the online delivery of the examination can be found in the following document and video.
Virtual Regulatory Excellence Workshops
CCO will be holding a virtual workshop on Regulatory Excellence for CCO Members (formerly titled the Record Keeping Workshop) on June 3, 8:30 am – 1:00 pm. Please email Rose Bustria at rbustria@cco.on.ca if you are interested in attending this virtually.
In-Person Regulatory Excellence Workshops
CCO has scheduled in-person Regulatory Excellence Workshops for the following dates and locations:
Wednesday, September 4, 2024, 5:30 pm – 9:00 pm: Location to be determine in the Kitchener/Waterloo area
More dates and location to be announced soon.
Please email Rose Bustria at rbustria@cco.on.ca if you would like to attend any Regulatory Excellence Workshop.
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