24/07/2025
It’s no wonder people are confused—there are so many mental health designations out there: psychologist, therapist, psychiatrist, counsellor, social worker, coach… it’s a lot to sort through.
Over the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing a series of posts to help clarify who does what in the world of mental health—starting here:
👉 Myth: If someone has a Master’s Degree in Psychology, that makes them a psychologist.
🚫 Not quite.
💡 Some graduate programs offer degrees in counselling psychology or psychology that don’t meet these regulatory standards—so while the word “psychology” may appear in the degree title, they do not lead to becoming a psychologist.
And that’s ok! There are many wonderful programs, but the purpose of this post is to bring more education and awareness to the many questions we receive. 🤓
To become a Registered Psychologist, you must:
🔹 Be accepted into a competitive graduate program (requiring a strong academic background and an Honours degree with a thesis).
🔹 Complete a graduate program (between 2-6 years) that meets CPA accreditation standards
(Canadian Psychological Association-accredited programs are held to rigorous national criteria for research, ethics, and clinical training).
🔹 Pass the EPPP – a standardized, North American licensing exam that evaluates clinical and ethical knowledge.
🔹 Complete multiple years of supervised clinical experience (often 1600+ hours)
🔹 Pass oral exams with the provincial board (NSBEP, for us in Nova Scotia).
🔹 Maintain ongoing licensure, regulation, and ethical accountability under the governing body.
🙋🏼♀️ When in doubt and you’re particularly looking to work with a Psychologist? Look for:
✅ Registered Psychologist
✅ Psychologist (Candidate Register)
Or—just ask! A regulated provider will always be transparent about their credentials.
More posts coming soon to help you navigate mental health designations with clarity and confidence.
💬💛
