opinion: outdated rules keeping qualified mental health professionals on the sidelines in quebec
here i am—ready to serve, fully trained, yet ineligible to be licensed as a psychologist in quebec.
3 minute read
dr. michael ouellette earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from athabasca university, followed by a master’s and ph.d. in developmental psychology from liberty university.
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i never thought that after earning a phd in psychology and working for years in youth protection and college mental health services, i’d still be shut out of the system. but here i am—ready to serve, fully trained, yet ineligible to be licensed as a psychologist in quebec.
in a province facing a full-blown mental health crisis, it’s frustrating—and frankly illogical—that professionals like me are being sidelined by outdated rules. especially considering that quebecers could become licensed psychologists with just a master’s degree before 2006.
let me explain what’s happening.
a degree doesn’t guarantee a chance
my path began on quebec hospital floors as a licensed practical nurse. i later earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from athabasca university, followed by a master’s and ph.d. in developmental psychology from liberty university. the graduate work was rigorous, research-focused and accredited in the u.s.—but delivered online.
that last detail is what the ordre des psychologues du québec (opq) seems to care about most. despite the explosion of online learning during the pandemic—and growing evidence that virtual formats can be just as effective—quebec still does not recognize asynchronous online degrees for licensure.
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even more frustrating? quebec requires 2,300 supervised clinical hours before graduation. in other provinces, many of these hours can be completed afterward and they require far fewer hours (1,600). the opq’s stance not only blocks people like me—it helps create the very shortage it’s meant to solve.
good enough to work, but not good enough to be licensed
i’ve spent years doing the work the system says i’m not qualified for. at youth protection services (dpj), i created intervention plans, testified in court and supported vulnerable families. later, at champlain college, i helped students through grief, trauma, anxiety and suicidal crises. these were real people with real needs—not theoretical case studies.
yet none of this work “counts” because it didn’t take place within a formal, pre-approved internship. is my experience worthless simply because i wasn’t a student when i gained it? there’s a troubling double standard here—especially when the government itself has trusted me with this work.
meanwhile, the crisis grows
according to the canadian mental health association, wait times for therapy in quebec range from six to 24 months. more than 16,600 people are currently waiting for services. many will end up in ers in moments of crisis because no one was available sooner.
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the province recently announced a $40 million investment to reduce waitlists. but if we don’t change who’s allowed to help, we’re just pouring money into a clogged pipeline. the system needs reinforcements now. half of the $40 million is earmarked to help 0- to 17-year-olds by essentially paying therapists overtime to complete their notes later in the day and extending the hours of outpatient mental health services. this is asking an already tired system to work longer hours.
three simple, game-changing fixes
- let people complete supervised hours after graduation: this would align quebec with other provinces. let qualified graduates prove themselves in real-world settings—where it matters most.
- create a new role for mental health assistant (mha): under opq supervision, mhas could provide coaching, crisis support, referrals, and follow-ups. this model already exists in other places. it would relieve pressure on licensed psychologists and give experienced bachelor’s- and master’s-level professionals a way to contribute meaningfully.
- acknowledge online asynchronous and synchronous degrees: the information is the same.
it’s time to open the doors
quebec has an untapped pool of talented, trained mental health professionals. we’re not asking for shortcuts. we’re asking for recognition—and the chance to serve the communities that desperately need us.
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let’s fix the system, not just fund it. open the doors.
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