Master of Psychotherapy
Become a psychotherapist and apply theory into clinical practice
Passionate about helping people improve their mental health? Start your journey towards a fulfilling career with the Master of Psychotherapy (MP) program at the University of Guelph.
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.
As a recognized education, training, and clinical experience program with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO), the Master of Psychotherapy prepares you to practice psychotherapy upon graduation.
The Master of Psychotherapy is part of the Relational and Psychotherapy Training Program (RPTP) at the University of Guelph, along with the Master of Relational and Family Therapy and the Master of Arts in Mental Health.
- One of a Kind
- The only secular psychotherapy program in Ontario with a systemic relational influence
- Career-Ready Training
- Clinical experience through practica and an externship to prepare you for your career
- Committed to EDI
- Faculty and staff integrate equity, diversity, and inclusion into all aspects of the curriculum
The Master of Psychotherapy 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 you to begin your internship placement in the fall. In your second year, you'll complete a one-year externship placement with a community-based service provider.
In the final semester of the program, you will be registered with the CRPO as a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying).
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
Visit the Graduate Calendar for more information on the program courses.
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.
Visit the Graduate Calendar for more information on the practica included in the program.
Training Facilities
In the Master of Psychotherapy program, you'll complete on-site training at the Maplewoods Centre for Family Therapy and Child Psychology.
Maplewoods is 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.
Meet the Faculty
Applying to the Master of Psychotherapy
- Completion of an honours (four-year) baccalaureate degree or equivalent in the social or applied human arts or sciences (e.g. family relations, sociology, psychology, social work), with a minimum 75% average in the last two years of study.
- Completion of a social science research methods course with a grade of 70% or higher.
Note: Applicants who demonstrate relevant work or volunteer experience are preferred, however, we will not accept applicants who are regulated in Ontario to practice the profession of psychotherapy or its equivalent.
Prospective graduate students must apply to the University of Guelph online, through the Ontario Universities Application Centre (OUAC). Please visit the Graduate Studies website to learn more and begin your application process.
After submitting an online application for the MP program, you will be invited to submit required documents through the University of Guelph's online system, WebAdvisor. Download the MP Application Checklist.
- OUAC Application Deadline: January 16, 2024
- Supplemental Documents Deadline: January 23, 2024
Questions about applying to the program? Email rptp@uoguelph.ca.
The Master of Psychotherapy is a new program and tuition is still being finalized. Please check back for regular updates.
The Department of Family Relations and Applied Nutrition offers financial support to qualified graduate students through a combination of financial planning support, scholarships, Graduate Teaching Assistantships, Graduate Research Assistantships, and other employment.
Search entrance scholarships for graduate students at the University of Guelph.
You are also encouraged to apply for government-funded awards and external awards.
Learn more about funding your graduate education on the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies website.
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).
Program Info Webinar | Fall 2023
Interested in applying to the Master of Psychotherapy, the Master of Relational and Family Therapy, or the Master of Arts in Mental Health?
Watch our webinar, recorded November 24, 2023, to learn more about the programs and how to apply!
Download the webinar transcript
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Get in Touch
Questions about the Master of Psychotherapy program? Contact:
Shauna Porter
Graduate Program Assistant
Department of Family Relations and Applied Nutrition
Email: rptp@uoguelph.ca