When Arkadiy Volkov moved to Canada, he quickly realized that psychotherapy wasn’t the same here as it had been in Russia. Counselling and therapy are regulated in Ontario, and figuring out how to continue his career felt nearly impossible. To practice, he needed to register with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO), which sets strict standards for education, ethics, and clinical competence. For Volkov, navigating the rules, paperwork, and the licensing process felt overwhelming.
Many internationally-trained psychotherapists face the same struggle. They arrive with years of experience, advanced degrees, and deep expertise, only to run into a system that’s hard to navigate. Limited supervised placements, complex regulations, and unclear registration paths can leave them stuck, underemployed, or forced to retrain.
Like Volkov, Monica Pinto emigrated from Brazil to Ontario, where she spent her first few years working a range of jobs, unsure of how to enter the field of psychotherapy. She went the traditional route and pursued a master’s degree, but the financial cost of another degree proved prohibitive.
Things changed when she and Volkov discovered the Bridge to Registration and Employment in Mental Health (BREM) program at the Mennonite New Life Centre (MNLC). BREM helped them understand the registration process, adapt to Canadian cultural norms, complete supervised clinical hours, and map out a clear path to practice.
What once felt uncertain began to look manageable.
“I was supported through every step of the registration process, up until now,” Pinto says. She is now a registered psychotherapist in Ontario and works at a clinic in Toronto.
A clear pathway to practicing psychotherapy in Ontario
Now in its 14th cohort, BREM supports internationally trained psychotherapists and counsellors, helping them transition their skills and experience into practice in Canada. The program curriculum includes over 1,100 hours of coursework in psychotherapy theory, technical approaches such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), cultural competency training, and applied psychotherapy methods. Following six months of classroom learning, participants move into a six-month supervised placement, completing 350 hours either in hospitals, community health centres, private practices, or non-profit organizations.
After completing the program, graduates receive support navigating CRPO registration and, once approved, can practise in Ontario as Registered Psychotherapists (Qualifying). Registration is required even when serving clients outside the province, a detail many internationally trained professionals are often unaware of upon arrival.
Challenges faced by internationally trained professionals
Registration is just one of the several hurdles newcomers face when planning to start their clinical careers in Canada. Many also struggle to navigate Canadian documentation, legal and ethical standards, and understand the requirements of culturally-responsive care for diverse populations, including LGBTQ+ communities and immigrant groups. As the only program of its kind in Ontario dedicated to internationally trained psychotherapists, BREM combines classroom learning, case-based discussion, supervision, and guided placements to help participants build these skills in real-world settings.
“Learning concepts like creating positive spaces and suicide prevention through the program has opened doors for me,” says Krystal Dodd, a BREM alumna. “Since these skills are now often a requirement in job postings.”
Sheila Mulhern, placement coordinator for the BREM program, has supported more than 350 graduates as they transition into professional practice. Her role includes helping students develop practical career skills, from résumés and elevator pitches to interview preparation, leading up to supervised clinical placements where they work with clients. BREM draws internationally trained psychotherapists and psychologists with graduate-level education and prior experience, many of whom initially struggle with self-efficacy as they adapt to a new country and professional environment.
“Through strong relationships with placement agencies, the program helps graduates secure employment or set up their own private practice, with strong outcomes in a licensed, in-demand field,” says Mulhern.
By helping internationally trained professionals re-enter their field, the program also helps Ontario respond to rising demand for mental health services.
Addressing wider pressures on Ontario’s mental health system
A recent survey by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) shows that mental and physical health indicators – including stress, anxiety, and depression – have remained at pandemic levels, and in some cases are worsening. Long wait times for services further compound the problem. While Ontario-specific data are limited, the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) reports that one in ten people wait four months or more for community mental health counselling. Rising demand for mental health care is stretching the workforce in Ontario and nationwide, leaving many communities underserved.
“BREM was approachable and affordable, and they provided a lot of support in terms of figuring out the whole process,” Volkov says. “Without BREM, it would have taken me much more time to get established as a therapist to start my practice.”
For Volkov and many others, BREM has transformed what once seemed impossible into a clear path forward. By offering structured support, professional mentorship, and practical training, the program allows internationally trained psychotherapists to meet regulatory requirements, integrate into the workforce, and provide essential services to communities in need. In doing so, it not only helps newcomers re-enter their profession but also strengthens Ontario’s capacity to respond to a growing mental health crisis.
To learn about BREM’s next full-time cohort, eligibility and how to apply, attend an information session or visit the program website.
*Interviews with Arkadiy Volkov and Krystal Dodd were sourced from MNLC testimonial videos.
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