Psychologist vs Psychotherapist: 2026 Toronto Guide

Key Takeaways

• A psychologist and a psychotherapist are two distinct regulated credentials in Ontario, governed by separate provincial colleges with different education and scope of practice requirements.
• CITC employs clinical psychologists, registered psychotherapists, psychological associates, and supervised doctoral interns across its Midtown Toronto clinic.
• Only registered psychologists in Ontario are authorized to conduct formal psychological assessments and provide a psychological diagnosis or opinion.
• Both credential types at CITC Associates deliver evidence-based therapy and treat a wide range of mental health concerns.
• CITC’s clinical coordinator matches new clients to the right provider type based on their needs before the first session.

Table of Contents

1. What is a registered psychologist in Ontario?
2. What is a registered psychotherapist in Ontario?
3. What other provider types does CITC have on staff?
4. What can a psychologist do that a psychotherapist cannot?
5. Where do both credential types overlap in their work?
6. How does CITC decide which provider type is right for you?
7. How do you get started at CITC in Toronto?

What is a registered psychologist in Ontario?

CITC has several clinical psychologists on staff, including its founder and director Dr. Carolina McBride, who completed her PhD in Clinical Psychology at the University of Ottawa and trained at Toronto General Hospital and CAMH, where she worked in the Interpersonal Therapy Clinic for 14 years.

A psychologist in Ontario holds a doctoral degree, either a PhD or a PsyD, and is registered with the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario. This registration authorizes them to use the protected title “psychologist” in Ontario and to practice within the scope that the college defines, which includes psychological assessment, diagnosis, and the delivery of evidence-based therapy.

CITC’s clinical psychologists include Dr. Devina Daya, Dr. Jessica Dere, Dr. Leah Enns, Dr. Niki Fitzgerald, Dr. Lorena Hsu, Dr. Diana Lisi, Dr. Alina Patel, and Dr. Glendon Rayworth. Each holds a doctoral degree and brings specialized clinical training in areas including anxiety, depression, OCD, trauma, PTSD, and neurodevelopmental conditions. Dr. Alina Patel is currently in supervised practice, having recently completed her doctorate at the University of Toronto.

What registered psychologists at CITC are trained and authorized to do:

• Conduct formal psychoeducational, ADHD, ASD, cognitive, and psychodiagnostic assessments
• Provide psychological diagnoses and opinions
• Deliver individual, couples, and family therapy using evidence-based approaches
• Supervise psychological associates and doctoral interns in clinical training

What is a registered psychotherapist in Ontario?

CITC Associates has a substantial team of registered psychotherapists including Maria Christopolous, Elina Gama Fila, Julia Friedman, Maliha Ibrahim, Lynn Imai, Aleksandra Lalovic, Dana Solnik, Heather Pearce, and others. Each holds a master’s level credential in a mental health-related field and is registered with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario, known as the CRPO.

The title “Registered Psychotherapist” or RP is protected in Ontario under the Regulated Health Professions Act. Registration with the CRPO requires completion of an approved graduate-level program, supervised practice hours, and ongoing compliance with the college’s standards of practice. Some CITC therapists carry the designation RP(Q), meaning Registered Psychotherapist Qualifying, which indicates they are actively completing the supervised hours required for full registration. Lauren Greenwood, Shahana Sittampalam, and Tisha Misquita are among those at CITC currently in qualifying status.

Registered psychotherapists at CITC treat adults, adolescents, couples, and families across a wide range of concerns including anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, OCD, relationship difficulties, life transitions, disordered eating, and more. The therapeutic approaches used include CBT, ACT, IPT, EFT, DBT, EMDR, and others, depending on the clinician’s training and the client’s needs.

What other provider types does CITC have on staff?

Beyond psychologists and registered psychotherapists, CITC also employs several other regulated or supervised provider types worth understanding.

Armita Hosseini is a Psychological Associate registered with the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario. She holds dual master’s degrees in Counselling Psychology and Clinical-Developmental Psychology and has over ten years of clinical experience, with a particular focus on autism in adults and neurodivergent individuals.

Aaron Arkin is a Registered Psychotherapist who specializes exclusively in CBT for Insomnia, known as CBT-I, and has been delivering this structured five-session program at CITC for over ten years.

Edward McAnanama is both an Occupational Therapist and a Psychotherapist who focuses on individuals and couples navigating mental health challenges, illness, disability, or dementia, drawing on psychodynamic and Emotionally Focused Therapy approaches.

CITC also runs a practicum training program for doctoral students. PhD Level Therapists currently on staff include Carly Biderman from the University of Windsor, Mila Popovic from Lakehead University, Li-elle Rapaport from the University of Manitoba, Shannen Rowe from OISE at the University of Toronto, and Jazzmin Demy and Stephanie McKenzie from York University. Aarti Gupta and Scott Boulton are intern therapists completing doctoral programs at Adler Graduate Professional School. All supervised clinicians practice under the oversight of a licensed psychologist.

What can a psychologist do that a psychotherapist cannot?

The clearest and most important distinction between these two credential types in Ontario is the authorization to conduct formal psychological assessments and to provide a psychological diagnosis or opinion. This is a reserved act under Ontario law and requires registration with the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario.

At CITC, this means that if you or your child needs a psychoeducational assessment, an ADHD assessment, an ASD assessment, a psychodiagnostic evaluation, a giftedness assessment, or any other formal psychological testing, that work is carried out by a registered psychologist or a supervised doctoral student working under one. Registered psychotherapists do not conduct these assessments regardless of their experience level.

This distinction matters practically when a formal report is required for school accommodation, a workplace accommodation, a legal proceeding, or a referral to another health professional that requires a documented diagnosis.

Where do both credential types overlap in their work?

Both credential types at CITC Associates deliver individual therapy, couples counselling, and family work using the same core evidence-based approaches. CBT, IPT, ACT, EFT, and DBT are used by both psychologists and registered psychotherapists across the CITC team, and the treatment areas addressed by both groups overlap substantially.

Anxiety, depression, OCD, trauma and PTSD, grief and loss, relationship difficulties, stress management, sleep concerns, ADHD support, disordered eating, gender and sexual identity, chronic illness, and communication challenges are all addressed by clinicians across both credential types at CITC. The therapeutic relationship, clinical judgment, and match between client and provider matter more in most therapy situations than whether the credential behind the provider is a PhD or a master’s degree.

CITC was founded in 2003 by Dr. McBride with the explicit vision that both cognitive and interpersonal factors play a central role in psychological health. That framework is shared across the entire clinical team regardless of credential level, which is part of what makes the intake matching process effective.

How does CITC decide which provider type is right for you?

CITC starts every new client relationship with a complimentary phone intake managed by clinical coordinator Alex Culbert, who holds a Psychology degree from Queen’s University. This call covers what you are coming in for, what your goals are, whether an assessment is part of what you need, and any preferences you have around format, approach, or therapist background.

Based on that conversation, CITC matches you to the provider whose credential level, clinical training, and availability fit your situation. You do not need to arrive knowing whether you need a psychologist or a psychotherapist. That is exactly what the intake process is designed to determine.

How do you get started at CITC in Toronto?

CITC Associates is located at 20 Eglinton Avenue West, Suite 1007 in Midtown Toronto, near Yonge and Eglinton. The clinic offers both in-person sessions at that location and online therapy available across Ontario. According to CITC’s website, the average time to book a first appointment is under 48 hours.

Conclusion

A psychologist and a psychotherapist are two distinct regulated credentials in Ontario with meaningful differences in education, scope, and what they are legally authorized to do. For formal assessments and diagnoses, a registered psychologist is required. For therapy across most mental health concerns, both credential types are clinically qualified and effective.