Concerns About a Psychologist

CAP is the governing body for registered psychologists and registered provisional psychologists (hereinafter referred to as “psychologists”) as regulated members in the province of Alberta. This section provides information and resources to address concerns about the conduct of a psychologist. 

CAP's mandate is to serve the interests of the public and to guide the profession of psychology. CAP registers, issues practice permits and regulates its members in accordance with provincial legislation, the Health Professions Act, R.S.A. 2000, c.H-7 (HPA). The HPA also sets out specific steps that CAP must take when dealing with complaints.

Many concerns arise as a result of a breakdown in communication between the client and the psychologist. In some circumstances, a psychologist is unaware of your concern(s) until a concern has been expressed or a complaint has been lodged. You may wish to discuss your concern(s) with the psychologist to see whether you can resolve the matter directly with the psychologist before lodging a formal complaint.

Prior to lodging a formal complaint, potential complainants are encouraged to outline their concern(s) with a CAP staff member. CAP may be able to provide information and suggestions about CAP’s concerns and complaints process and alternative resolution options, and if appropriate, possible resolutions that could be considered without making a formal complaint may be discussed. 

The complaint process is an important part of ensuring quality and accountability in the provision of psychological services to the Alberta public.

Concerns CAP cannot address

CAP can only address concerns that are within its legislated authority as set out in the HPA. CAP cannot address the following types of concerns:

• Concerns about unregulated practitioners. CAP has no authority to deal with concerns about individuals who are not regulated members of CAP. The titles that regulated members can use are: psychologist, registered psychologist, provisional psychologist or registered provisional psychologist. If an individual who does not use one of those titles and provided services to you, the individual may not be regulated by CAP. If this is the case, CAP cannot take any action with respect to your concern(s). You can check whether an individual is registered through our online Member Directory.
• Concerns about members of other colleges. If you have concerns about members of other professions, it is appropriate to contact that practitioner's own regulatory body.
• Employment or labour relations difficulties not addressed by professional standards or laws governing the profession.
• Compensation. CAP cannot compensate individuals who feel they have been wronged by the actions of a psychologist.

The following links provide related information and the form related to the Concerns process. If you wish to file a formal complaint, click here.

Are all public concerns handled as a formal complaint?

The simple answer to this question is, “No.”

CAP also has a less formal process that is offered to the public, when appropriate, to resolve concerns outside of the formal complaint process. This process is offered through a process of collaborative problem-solving that requires the consent of both the concerned party and the psychologist. This option is not given however for matters that may require an investigation, or for allegations of sexual abuse and/or misconduct or other serious boundary violation allegations. The informal process is also not available when the only way to determine the facts requires a more extensive investigation and access to otherwise confidential information, such a client’s file or record.  In such cases a formal complaint is required, as the HPA grants authority to the CAP Complaints Director and/or investigators to collect any information required, regardless of consent from clients or other parties.  

CAP has developed a table to outline the primary differences between information concerns and formal complaints under the HPA. Read more.