Funding for Therapy

In accordance with the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 (RHPA), CCO has the responsibility to create and administer a fund for therapy and counselling for patients who have been sexually abused by a member of CCO. This funding program is administered by the Patient Relations Committee, a statutory committee of CCO.

If you have been sexually abused by a chiropractor in Ontario, you may qualify for financial help to see a therapist or counsellor.

The requirements for funding are outlined in the following documents:

The Patient Relations Committee will review your application to determine if you are eligible for funding. The level and duration of funding are set in regulation and policy. Funding is provided to the therapist or counsellor of your choosing.

Application Forms

Please complete and return the following fillable applications forms to the attention of CCO’s Patient Relations Committee by mail, fax or email attachment. The information you provide will assist the Patient Relations Committee in reviewing your application. The Regulated Health Professional Counsellor Statement or Unregulated Health Professional Counsellor Statement must be completed by the therapist or counsellor.

Mail: 59 Hayden Street, Suite 800, Toronto, ON M4Y 0E7

Fax: 416-925-9610

Email: cco.info@cco.on.ca

Once your application has been received, a CCO staff member will contact you to discuss the next steps in the funding program.

Related FAQs

  • The Patient Relations Committee is responsible for overseeing the funding for therapy and counselling program, and will review your application to determine your eligibility. The Patient Relations Committee is comprised of both chiropractors and public members.

  • No. The Patient Relations Committee will review your application against the criteria listed in Policy P-018 and listed above. You may be contacted by CCO staff if additional information is required.

  • No. You can apply for funding at any time if you meet the eligibility criteria.

  • The Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 defines sexual abuse as:

    (a)  sexual intercourse or other forms of physical sexual relations between the member and the patient,

    (b)  touching, of a sexual nature, of the patient by the member, or

    (c)  behaviour or remarks of a sexual nature by the member towards the patient.

    “Sexual nature” does not include touching, behaviour or remarks of a clinical nature appropriate to the service provided.

    Sexual abuse under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 has a different legal description from sexual assault under the Criminal Code of Canada [1]. Unlike the criminal act of sexual abuse, consent is not a defence to sexual abuse under the RHPA and acts of a sexual nature by a regulated health professional may constitute sexual abuse under the RHPA and result in regulatory consequences, including the revocation of a member’s certificate of registration.

    More information on sexual abuse can be found in Standard of Practice S-014: Prohibition Against a Sexual Relationship with a Patient.

  • Sexual abuse by a patient may be preceded by certain grooming behaviour or boundary crossings or violations. Examples of this type of behaviour may include:

    • sharing intimate details of the member’s personal life with the patient;
    • probing patients for inappropriate personal information;
    • giving or receiving extravagant gifts from the patient;
    • becoming involved with a patient‘s personal life;
    • influencing a patient to change their will or other testamentary instrument; and
    • excessive complimenting and/or flirting with a patient;

    It is incumbent on a member to stop this type of behaviour before it may lead to anything more serious. For more details, please see Guideline G-001: Communication with Patients.

  • Once the required forms are submitted, CCO staff will contact you to confirm receipt of the application, inform you about the process and timeline for review of the application, answer any questions you may have, and tell you whether any additional information is required.

  • The Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991, its regulations and CCO policy, set certain criteria for the choice of a therapist or counselor.

    The therapist or counselor must not be a person to whom the applicant has any family relationship, or who, to the College’s knowledge, has been found guilty of professional misconduct of a sexual nature or been found civilly or criminally liable for an act of a similar nature.

    The applicant may apply for funding for therapy or counselling from an individual who is not a regulated health professional. However, the College may require the applicant to indicate that they understand that the therapist or counselor is not a member of a health regulatory college and is not subject to professional regulation, complaints, or discipline.

    Funding is generally approved for therapy or counselling on a session-by-session basis, and that takes place in the province of Ontario. 

    The Patient Relations Committee will review applications for funding for therapy on a case-by-case basis, and consider any extenuating circumstances as part of the application.

  • As required by the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991, once a therapist or counsellor is approved, the College will make payments to the therapist or counsellor upon receipt of invoices.

    In exceptional circumstances, if the applicant has already received therapy or counselling, the College may reimburse the applicant directly upon receipt of invoices or receipts. Invoices or receipts can be submitted to the College by mail, fax or email attachment:

    Mail: 59 Hayden Street, Suite 800, Toronto, ON M4Y 0E7

    Fax: 416-925-9610

    Email: cco.info@cco.on.ca

  • Yes, at any time during the five year funding period, you may complete an application for a new therapist or counsellor, which will then be reviewed by the Patient Relations Committee.

    Mail: 59 Hayden Street, Suite 800, Toronto, ON M4Y 0E7

    Fax: 416-925-9610

    Email: cco.info@cco.on.ca

  • No, the Patient Relations Committee reviews documents only.

  • No.  There is no requirement for a psychological assessment to support the need for therapy, nor is there a requirement for your therapist or counsellor to provide updates on the progress of the therapy to the College.

    The Patient Relations Committee reviews applications in accordance with the requirements of the legislation, regulation and policies of the College, including the nature and relevance of the therapy, and jurisdiction in which the therapy is provided.

  • The limits for funding for therapy or counselling are set out in the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991, its regulations and CCO policies.

  • At any time, you may contact the College to inquire about the status of your funding account. The College will communicate with you periodically about how much money is left and how much time is left for funding for therapy or counselling.