PROFESSIONAL DISCIPLINE
LAWYERS FOR PSYCHOTHERAPISTS
PSYCHOTHERAPIST DEFENCE LAWYER
If one of your patients has filed a complaint to the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (“CRPO”), then you need the assistance of a knowledgeable and skilled professional discipline lawyer at your side. Posner Craig Stein (“PCS”) defends psychotherapists in proceedings at the CRPO. Being the target of a patient complaint and facing allegations of professional misconduct can be anxiety-provoking, frustrating, and time-consuming. Entrusting PCS with your CRPO case means that you will have an experienced and trusted advocate at your side throughout the complaints and discipline process. We understand the potential impact that patient complaints and professional misconduct allegations can have on your reputation and financial situation. We know that your livelihood can depend on ensuring that the complaint is found to be without merit and that allegations of professional misconduct are dismissed. Our lawyers work tirelessly, creatively – and in a relentless manner. We also have a network of expert witnesses who work with us in a collaborative manner to help navigate you through the CRPO process.
INVESTIGATIONS AND AUDITS BY THE COLLEGE
PCS psychotherapist defence lawyers have extensive expertise in assisting psychotherapists in guiding them through the investigatory stage of a CRPO complaint and assisting them with CRPO audits. The earlier a psychotherapist retains quality defence counsel, the better the opportunity we have to ensure you walk away with your reputation, license, and livelihood intact. In an audit, we will work in concert with you to ensure you are well prepared. In an investigation, we will ensure that all of the relevant information that demonstrates your competence and integrity is placed before the investigator, so that the College has the tools it needs to dismiss any complaints against you.
HEARINGS AT THE INQUIRIES, COMPLAINTS AND REPORTS COMMITTEE (“ICRC”)
PCS assists psychotherapists in making submissions to the ICRC. The ICRC screens complaints, and can refer a psychotherapist to the discipline committee for a hearing for professional misconduct or incapacity. The ICRC can also, instead of referring the complaint to the discipline committee, order the psychotherapists to attend for a caution in-person, order the psychotherapist to complete a specialized continuing remediation and education program (“SCERP”), or take any other it deems appropriate.
It is essential to consult with a lawyer for psychotherapists at this stage of the complaint process. Even if the ICRC does not refer the complaint to the discipline committee, cautions and SCERPS result in mandatory publication of the ICRC’s decision on the CRPO’s on-line register. This can result in reputational and financial damage. A psychotherapist has the opportunity to make written submissions to the ICRC. PCS psychotherapist defence lawyers have skill and expertise in crafting elegant, cogent and persuasive submissions to convince the panel at the ICRC to dismiss the complaint. Your time, reputation, and finances can be saved by working early on to have the complaint dismissed.
HEARINGS BEFORE THE DISCIPLINE COMMITTEE
Hearings before the Discipline Committee involve hearing from witnesses, cross-examination, calling evidence, and making submissions before the panel. Our team of pyschotherapist defence lawyers have extensive expertise in these areas, developed over decades in tribunals and courtrooms across Ontario.
Carefully calibrated and effective cross-examination of witnesses called by the prosecution in your discipline proceeding can result in a dismissal of professional misconduct charges. The key to success is extensive preparation, skillful and targeted questioning, and the experience to adapt to the witness’s answers as they come. PCS psychotherapist defence lawyers will bring these skills and attributes to your defence.
HEARINGS BEFORE THE HEALTH PROFESSIONS APPEAL AND REVIEW BOARD (“HPARB”)
If the ICRC has reached an unfair or unreasonable decision, you have legal recourse. Psychotherapists can appeal ICRC dispositions to the HPARB. These appeals involve the examination of the record of the proceedings before the ICRC, the drafting of written legal arguments, and can involve oral arguments before a panel.
Our psychotherapist defence lawyers bring their experience and skill to bear on your case. We will subject the record of your proceeding to microscopic scrutiny to properly develop the arguments that have the greatest chance of winning on appeal. Our trial and appellate experience gives us the necessary perspective to properly examine a record, and find the errors that will provide you with powerful arguments on appeal.
Critical to success on appeals is written advocacy – and PCS’s written work is polished and persuasive. PCS’s experience in written advocacy has been honed over years of preparing written submissions in many different Ontario tribunals, and courts including the Divisional Court, the Court of Appeal for Ontario and the Supreme Court of Canada. When it comes time to argue an appeal, we will be fully prepared to present your case in a forceful and persuasive manner.
JUDICIAL REVIEW AT THE DIVISIONAL COURT
If the HPARB declines to set aside a decision of the ICRC, a psychotherapist can seek to have the HPARB’s decision reviewed judicially at the Divisional Court of Ontario. Decisions of the Discipline Committee are also reviewed by the Divisional Court. Much like hearings before the HPARB, judicial reviews involve an examination of the record of the proceedings below, the drafting of legal arguments, and making oral arguments before a panel of Ontario Superior Court judges. PCS psychotherapist defence lawyers are experienced in arguing cases before the Divisional Court and we will pursue every avenue to help protect your reputation, your license, and your financial well being.
WE CAN HELP YOU
Posner Craig Stein is the right psychotherapist defence firm to handle complaints made against you because:
• We achieve the best possible results for our clients;
• Our advocacy skills, both written and oral, are highly respected;
• Our fees are highly competitive.
If you are a psychotherapist and have been the subject of a complaint, it is to your benefit to retain an experienced psychotherapist defence lawyer immediately. Posner Craig Stein may be able to help you avoid serious consequences, such as reputational and financial damage.
Come meet with us, in confidence, at out office, by phone, or a virtually to discuss your options today. Put your trust in the Posner Craig Stein team of highly skilled psychotherapist defence lawyers with proven experience.