Program Overview

Master of Psychotherapy Program

The Master of Psychotherapy is a two-year immersive clinical training program that integrates theory into practice through community-based experience. The program teaches strength-based and traditional psychotherapy perspectives that respect the diverse experiences and communities of both students and clients.

Program Overview

The Master of Psychotherapy program is part of the Relational and Psychotherapy Training Program (RPTP) at the University of Guelph. It is a recognized education, training, and clinical experience program with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO), preparing students to practice psychotherapy upon graduation.

Key Features

• The only secular psychotherapy program in Ontario with a systemic relational influence
• Clinical experience through practica and an externship to prepare students for their career
• Faculty and staff integrate equity, diversity, and inclusion into all aspects of the curriculum

Program Timeline

The Master of Psychotherapy program is a two-year full-time only immersive course of study beginning in May each year. The first academic summer semester prepares students to begin their internship placement in the fall. In the second year, students complete a one-year externship placement with a community-based service provider. In the final semester of the program, students are registered with the CRPO as a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying).

Courses and Practica

As a Master of Psychotherapy student, you will complete seven courses in a combination of in-person and remote synchronous formats throughout the program:

• Resiliency and Trauma Informed Practice
• Sociocultural Attunement and Humility
• Foundations of Relational and Family Therapy
• Professional Ethics and Issues in Relational and Family Therapy
• Research in Relational Family Therapy
• Perspectives on Health and Well-being
• Gender, Sexuality and Clinical Interventions

In the MP program, you'll apply course theory into practice through three practica (two in-person, one remote synchronous) specifically designed to train you to become a highly skilled, ethical, and competent therapist. You'll also accumulate up to 350 Direct Client Contact hours and 100 hours of clinical supervision through a two-semester internship placement at the on-site Maplewoods Centre for Family Therapy and Child Psychology and a three-semester externship with a community-based service provider.

Training Facilities

The Master of Psychotherapy program includes on-site training at the Maplewoods Centre for Family Therapy and Child Psychology, a newly-built and innovative centre on the University of Guelph campus that provides a range of clinical therapy services for youth, adults, and families in the community. Maplewoods is equipped with a state-of-the-art video capture system, allowing for digital recording and real-time observation of clinical work.

Faculty

The program faculty includes:

• Emma Turner, MSc, RP, RMFT-SM, Manager of Clinical Supervision
• Kevin VanDerZwet Stafford, MSc, RP, RMFT-SM, Director of Clinical Training
• John Beaton, PhD, RP, RMFT-S, Associate Professor, Family Relations and Applied Nutrition
• Rana Khan, MSc, RP, RMFT-SQ, Clinical Supervisor and Instructor
• Tuuli M. Kukkonen, PhD, C.Psych, Associate Professor, Family Relations and Applied Nutrition
• Robin R. Milhausen, PhD, RP (Qualifying), Professor, Family Relations and Applied Nutrition
• Orion Neustifter, PhD, RP, RMFT-S, Associate Professor, Family Relations and Applied Nutrition

Applying to the Master of Psychotherapy

Admission Requirements

Admission to the MP is competitive and your application will only be considered if you meet the following minimum requirements:

1. Completion of an honours (four-year) baccalaureate degree or equivalent, with an average of 75% or higher in the last two years of study.
   • Your degree may be in progress at the time of application but must be completed by April 30 of the year you enter the program.
2. Completion of a social science research methods course with a grade of 70% or higher.
   • Your research methods course may be in progress at the time of application but must be completed by December 31 of the year you apply.

Program Tuition

For full tuition details for the Master of Psychotherapy program, visit the university's Student Financial Services.

Other Programs

Master of Relational and Family Therapy

The Master of Relational and Family Therapy program is rooted in the practice of relational and systemic psychotherapy, where couple and family therapists work with a client in the context of their many relationships and broader social systems.

Master of Arts in Mental Health

The Master of Arts in Mental Health is an online course-based program designed for professionals who want non-clinical mental health training infused with systemic thinking and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI).