About CAPT

The Canadian Association for Psychodynamic Therapy (CAPT) is a professional association of psychodynamic psychotherapists, training institutes, and organizations committed to the preservation, practice, study, and advancement of psychodynamic therapy.

The psychodynamic approach to therapy understands that unconscious dynamics exist within normal human consciousness and that it is possible in therapy to engage many aspects of the human psyche in ways that are useful, creative, and healing.

Aims
An association founded on a commitment to the psychodynamic tradition, CAPT has been an influential member of the psychotherapy community since its inception in the year 2000. Our interests and activities support two primary aims:

To preserve and promote the various forms of psychodynamic therapy
To support high minimum standards of training in psychotherapy, high ethical standards (see Code of Ethics), and ongoing professional development of practitioners

Psychodynamic Modalities
Our members represent a broad spectrum of psychodynamic modalities, presenting opportunities for a rich, ongoing professional exchange.

All psychodynamic modalities agree on these things especially:

The agency of the client and the relational, cooperative nature of the therapy are of prime importance.
Both client and therapist pay attention to the depth dimension of human life, within and under what is consciously known and said or what is observable as a symptom.

The Process of Regulating Psychotherapists in Ontario
CAPT has been active during the recent and ongoing process of regulating psychotherapy in the province, submitting briefs and giving oral presentations at the public consultations.

CAPT and some of its institutional members have been instrumental in achieving firm recognition by the Health Professions Regulatory Advisory Council (HPRAC) that psychotherapy is an independent profession and that training specifically to practice psychotherapy is essential. Recently, CAPT was recognized by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care as one of three stakeholders (with the Alliance of Psychotherapy Training Institutes (APTI) and the Ontario Coalition of Mental Health Professionals) invited to an information session on the formation of the Transitional Council and, eventually, the formation of the new College of Psychotherapists and Registered Mental Health Therapists of Ontario.

Over the next year and beyond, CAPT will continue its effort to articulate the forms of regulation that best suit our psychodynamic modality. This will mean ongoing communication with the Transitional Council and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. (see Legislation)

Resource Collective for Ongoing Professional Development
The Resource Collective is a forum to facilitate the sharing of professional resources among practicing psychotherapists in CAPT. As this network grows, it will provide CAPT members with a broad and constant ambience for ongoing professional development. All institutional, organizational, and individual members are invited to offer and request courses, seminars and workshops. All are invited to participate in these and other relevant exchanges. (see Resource Collective)

Institutional Members

Adler School of Professional Psychology (ASPP)
The Centre for Psychotherapy & Emotional Bodywork (CPEB)
The Centre for Training in Psychotherapy (CTP)
Institute for the Advancement of Self Psychology (IASP)
Ontario Association of Jungian Analysis Training Program (OAJATP)
Toronto Centre for Psychodrama and Sociometry (TCPS)
Toronto Institute for Relational Psychotherapy (TIRP)
Ontario Psychotherapy and Counseling Program (OPC)

Organizational Members

CTP Alumni Association (CTPAA)
Psychotherapy Referral Service (PRS)
Centre Psychotherapy Service (CPS)

CAPT invites psychodynamic psychotherapists, training institutes, and organizations to become active members. We also invite the broader health care community and the public to learn more about psychodynamic therapy through this web site.